hilltopper46
Member
I had posted this to the classifieds section (because I had an extra pot for sale and was asked how I set it up). I think it belongs here.
Shopping list ~$8.00 at my local Ace Hardware store.
1 - 1/4-inch pipe to 1/8-inch brass pipe reducer bushing
1 - 3/8-inch pipe to 1/4-inch brass pipe reducer bushing
1 - schroeder valve (used on pressure tanks for well systems)
Procedure:
1. Remove the down-pipe that extends from the lid down into the can so you don't need to worry about arranging the mold(s) around it. I had to take mine apart (both fittings take a 13/16 inch wrench or a big Crescent wrench) and put the pipe in my vice to turn the fitting off the end. Reassemble the through-fitting back into the lid - you may want to add some sealer - I did not. Make sure the gasket positioned properly in the fitting.
2. Remove the pressure gauge from the regulator assembly.
3. Remove the adapter elbow from the through-fitting for the paint pipe.
4. Use the 1/4 to 1/8 pipe reducer bushing to fit the Shroeder valve to the air-hose fitting on the safety/release valve. This bushing MUST have a machined taper to fit the swivel type of fitting on the pot. Use Teflon tape between the bushing and the Shroeder valve but NOT between the bushing and the swivel-nut.
5. Use the 3/8 to 1/4 pipe bushing to fit the pressure gauge on the through-fitting for the down-pipe. Use teflon tape on both threads.
My pot is holding over 30 lbs of pressure overnight setup this way.
A couple comments:
A. The gauge that came with the pot reads about 5 PSI too low - this is somewhat dangerous as excessive pressures could possibly be built in the pot because the gauge doesn't read as high as it should. Use a known accurate tire gauge to double check the pressure reading on the pot until you are comfortable with the accuracy of the gauge mounted on the pot.
B. The safety/release valve is adjustable. Don't adjust it without the use of an accurate pressure gauge. Mine starts to blow off now at about 50 PSI - this is good. It seems to be leaking down to about 30 PSI overnight, most of which occurs in the first 1/2-hour or so. From reading other posts, this is sufficient to remove the bubbles from the casting. I've made two casts and bubbles aren't evident in the cast when I remove it.
C. The pot has a rounded bottom which makes it very easy to have the molds in the pot in an unlevel situation. I haven't figured out how to overcome this yet (although I think I'm close). At the very least a small cheap level should be used to check the levelness of the mold before the lid is put on the pot.
Shopping list ~$8.00 at my local Ace Hardware store.
1 - 1/4-inch pipe to 1/8-inch brass pipe reducer bushing
1 - 3/8-inch pipe to 1/4-inch brass pipe reducer bushing
1 - schroeder valve (used on pressure tanks for well systems)
Procedure:
1. Remove the down-pipe that extends from the lid down into the can so you don't need to worry about arranging the mold(s) around it. I had to take mine apart (both fittings take a 13/16 inch wrench or a big Crescent wrench) and put the pipe in my vice to turn the fitting off the end. Reassemble the through-fitting back into the lid - you may want to add some sealer - I did not. Make sure the gasket positioned properly in the fitting.
2. Remove the pressure gauge from the regulator assembly.
3. Remove the adapter elbow from the through-fitting for the paint pipe.
4. Use the 1/4 to 1/8 pipe reducer bushing to fit the Shroeder valve to the air-hose fitting on the safety/release valve. This bushing MUST have a machined taper to fit the swivel type of fitting on the pot. Use Teflon tape between the bushing and the Shroeder valve but NOT between the bushing and the swivel-nut.
5. Use the 3/8 to 1/4 pipe bushing to fit the pressure gauge on the through-fitting for the down-pipe. Use teflon tape on both threads.
My pot is holding over 30 lbs of pressure overnight setup this way.
A couple comments:
A. The gauge that came with the pot reads about 5 PSI too low - this is somewhat dangerous as excessive pressures could possibly be built in the pot because the gauge doesn't read as high as it should. Use a known accurate tire gauge to double check the pressure reading on the pot until you are comfortable with the accuracy of the gauge mounted on the pot.
B. The safety/release valve is adjustable. Don't adjust it without the use of an accurate pressure gauge. Mine starts to blow off now at about 50 PSI - this is good. It seems to be leaking down to about 30 PSI overnight, most of which occurs in the first 1/2-hour or so. From reading other posts, this is sufficient to remove the bubbles from the casting. I've made two casts and bubbles aren't evident in the cast when I remove it.
C. The pot has a rounded bottom which makes it very easy to have the molds in the pot in an unlevel situation. I haven't figured out how to overcome this yet (although I think I'm close). At the very least a small cheap level should be used to check the levelness of the mold before the lid is put on the pot.
]) in case the aluminum expanded more than the steel fittings due to heat in my garage.
