Pressure and Vacuum pot, HF Paint pot

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sseamen

sseamen

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2010
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115
Location
Huntsville, AL, USA
Over the weekend I built a pressure and vacuum pot, following Stevers Library artical from 07. When I finished and pressure tested it, there was a leak. After dumping LOADS of soapy water areound the pipe fittings I finally discovered the leak. The weld that held the 3/8 threads in the lid was sloppy and leaked. Fortunately, the fix-it-stik that Billy used to pitch on TV fixed it. I molded the stuff on the inside of the lid around both fittings that go thru it(the other one seemed to have a crack also) and then pressurized (on the theory that leaking air would force the stuff in the crack). It held pressure all night. If anyone else gets the Harbor Freight paint pot, inspect it carefully, and then buy some sort of moldable epoxy on your way home. Once you've removed the paint supply tube you've voided the warranty on the pot.
 
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Vacuum on the Pot

One other point, the suggested Vacuum pump (Central Pneumatic 96677) only pulls about 15 in of vacuum, with my compressor almost redlined. Does anyone know if this si about right or did I get a punk pump? I wanted to try another article on stabilizing wood that calls for 20 inches of vacuum and I didn't want to spend another $104 for the pump.
 
Steve, if you can find an old fridge that the pump still works, it will make an excellent vac pump. We used pumps like these for years in the HVAC work. If a hole came in the fridge tubing then all the R12 leaked out but the pump still works. Usually free. Check at Lowes for a haul away or another appliance shop. That pump will usually get you down 27 - 28 inch Hg.
On the HF pot, if the leaks were really cracks, then you are exposing yourself to a dangerous situation. If you have to use this pot, be sure to stay away from it while it is under pressure. The crack is not healed with the epoxy, only the leak has stopped.
Charles
 
Thanks

Good advice. Maybe this is my 'forever' vacuum pot now.
ctubbs said:
Steve, if you can find an old fridge that the pump still works, it will make an excellent vac pump. We used pumps like these for years in the HVAC work. If a hole came in the fridge tubing then all the R12 leaked out but the pump still works. Usually free. Check at Lowes for a haul away or another appliance shop. That pump will usually get you down 27 - 28 inch Hg.
On the HF pot, if the leaks were really cracks, then you are exposing yourself to a dangerous situation. If you have to use this pot, be sure to stay away from it while it is under pressure. The crack is not healed with the epoxy, only the leak has stopped.
Charles
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure that I would even consider using a HF pot that has cracks, leaks and bad welds. The thought of you gambling your life on the strength of "mighty putty" concerns me greatly.

If this pot were in my shop it would get kicked to the curb. A similar HF pot nearly killed me in an explosion, and that pot was new out of the box.

Respectfully submitted.
 
there have been several posts on here with guys having pots fail catastrophically with 50-80 psi in them. It doesn't take too much pressure to make the lid become a missile.
 
It seems to me if the concern is that great using these pots one would build a cage for it, Kind of like split rim tires only not as big or complex. Seems pretty simple with a little chain link!!
 
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