Air compressor / Casting aides
I started this project only heaving a small lathe. As my surname isn't Rockefeller I have to come up with DIY stuff to controle the budget......AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF MY BUILDING TIME Grrrrr (at least 50%, make them so they will last forever).......BUT I LOVE DESIGNING THESE THINGS.
As my workshop is in the basement of the house an regular compressor was not an option due to the noise it would create keeping the children awake. A fridge compressor is quite silent and can be used as an air compressor. It can also be used to create a vacuum what solves the issue of the vacuum chamber (they are capable to pressures up to 30bar/440psi......so treat them as you treat live ammunition).
As air pressure is quite dangerous and I wanted everything to be safe and sound I went to several specialized companies for advice and parts needed. As a pressure vessel I opted for an old 5kg CO2 fire extinguisher in aluminum, work pressure is 50bar which will be more than sufficient, the extinguisher was resent pressure tested (hydro tested). I got it for free from a service company. The fridge compressor itself was also a gift from an AC service company (new in the box). It took me a few weeks to find these items, but it was worth wile as all was donated to me free from charge. Next I purchased all the other stuff, pressure switch with relieve valve, non-return valve, pressure reducer, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, safety valve, various couplings,...., in a specialized store, they advised me what parts to use (working pressure, design pressure, safety systems, etc...).
I made an box out of shuttering plywood to contain the pressure vessel, on top I placed the compressor and all the regulating stuff, everything was connected together. The test was perfect the unit is makes no noise just the noise you hear on a fridge. I set the unit to stop at 5 bar and re-starts at 4 bar. To give a personal touch I milled some sub class names in the shuttering plywood on one side. On the other side I milled the names of the companies in the shuttering plywood, who helped me out supplying the extinguisher and fridge compressor for free. That is the least I could do ( sent a picture of it to them).
The vacuum tank was made out of thick PVC the lid was made of Plexiglas so I could Cleary see the what is going on when degassing. The seal is an O-ring. The dimensions of the groove were calculated as per Andrew Lawrence directions I found on another forum. Here is the link to the youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWcryehE7EU#t=342.
The vacuum tank is combined with my compressor meaning that I can deviate the suction of the compressor to the tank and create a vacuum that is sufficient to degassing the silicone mold casting resin.
The pressure pot for casting I purchased at the www it’s a regular paint pressure tank of 2,25 Gallon/8.5 liter which I modified a little bit.
Mission accomplished
I started this project only heaving a small lathe. As my surname isn't Rockefeller I have to come up with DIY stuff to controle the budget......AND THAT TAKES A LOT OF MY BUILDING TIME Grrrrr (at least 50%, make them so they will last forever).......BUT I LOVE DESIGNING THESE THINGS.
As my workshop is in the basement of the house an regular compressor was not an option due to the noise it would create keeping the children awake. A fridge compressor is quite silent and can be used as an air compressor. It can also be used to create a vacuum what solves the issue of the vacuum chamber (they are capable to pressures up to 30bar/440psi......so treat them as you treat live ammunition).
As air pressure is quite dangerous and I wanted everything to be safe and sound I went to several specialized companies for advice and parts needed. As a pressure vessel I opted for an old 5kg CO2 fire extinguisher in aluminum, work pressure is 50bar which will be more than sufficient, the extinguisher was resent pressure tested (hydro tested). I got it for free from a service company. The fridge compressor itself was also a gift from an AC service company (new in the box). It took me a few weeks to find these items, but it was worth wile as all was donated to me free from charge. Next I purchased all the other stuff, pressure switch with relieve valve, non-return valve, pressure reducer, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, safety valve, various couplings,...., in a specialized store, they advised me what parts to use (working pressure, design pressure, safety systems, etc...).
I made an box out of shuttering plywood to contain the pressure vessel, on top I placed the compressor and all the regulating stuff, everything was connected together. The test was perfect the unit is makes no noise just the noise you hear on a fridge. I set the unit to stop at 5 bar and re-starts at 4 bar. To give a personal touch I milled some sub class names in the shuttering plywood on one side. On the other side I milled the names of the companies in the shuttering plywood, who helped me out supplying the extinguisher and fridge compressor for free. That is the least I could do ( sent a picture of it to them).
The vacuum tank was made out of thick PVC the lid was made of Plexiglas so I could Cleary see the what is going on when degassing. The seal is an O-ring. The dimensions of the groove were calculated as per Andrew Lawrence directions I found on another forum. Here is the link to the youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWcryehE7EU#t=342.
The vacuum tank is combined with my compressor meaning that I can deviate the suction of the compressor to the tank and create a vacuum that is sufficient to degassing the silicone mold casting resin.
The pressure pot for casting I purchased at the www it’s a regular paint pressure tank of 2,25 Gallon/8.5 liter which I modified a little bit.
Mission accomplished
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