Thread: Casting blanks for beginners

Also surprised that you couldn't get your fittings in Bunnies, that's where I got all of mine as shown in the photos in my build thread.

They have at least 2 shelves full of compressor fittings in our local Bunnies (country town)

What section are they in Fred? All they could point me to was plumbing. The tool shop had very little in both Bunnings stores I went to.

Originally Posted by plantagenon

What section are they in Fred? All they could point me to was plumbing. The tool shop had very little in both Bunnings stores I went to.

Greg, in our local Bunnies all these fittings are where the air tools, air hoses and compressors are in the tool section.

Since I bought mine they have changed brands, but they still have a full range in the 2 or 3 main fitting styles.

Stillno luck with Bunnings and SCA so I will call in at Trade Tools and H&F after work tomorrow. Failing that I will get a machinery shop to make me the parts. I tried to fit the SCA water filter and lo and behold - the filter when tightened was upside down.

Look up "Hydraulic Hoses and fittings" on Google, should be able to find a store near you, or just look up your local Enzed store

Greg, what actual fittings are after? Most of these air fittings use 1/4" BSP threads, if you look in the pics here

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f204/pressure-pot-76319/

you can see the bublle packs I bought the fittings in from Bunnies.

As I said before, they now seem to have a different supplier, but still the same fittings.

Don't go to the trouble of getting them made, just let me know what you need and I'll buy them here and send them to you.

Thanks Fred.

I got onto Trade Tools today and they seem to think they might have the parts. I will go over there tomorrow and check it out. If all else fails I will PM you with the needed parts. I have been to 2 Bunnings stores here and neither have anything that I am after - they are only stocking compressor hose fittings. The guy in plumbing was great and went through all their stock and then all the stock in the Tool section but no success.

Greg

Greg I was at Trade tools (Springwood) on Fri and they had a heap of fittings but I didn't actually have a look at the actull sizes.

Cheers Rumnut

all the fittings are in the tool section at bunnings, but they are spear jackson fittings. I had to get 5 taps there to get 2 working ones. All leaked.
They are coloured alloy, blue/yellow and green for nito etc.

I went into Trade Tools this morning and got all the fittings I needed for $9. I might have some fun this afternoon and put it all together.

Thank you all for your assistance.

Greg

Here are some photos of the finished product. I am annoyed that the SCA water trap could not be screwed into an upright position on an SCA piece of equipment. Trade Tools suggests a washer which I tried without success. Ended up using a heap of plumbers tape as a distancer. Its locked tight and I am told it will still work ok.

I put a tap on the opposite side of the pressure gauge for the compressor inlet to release the pressure before undoing the lid. Photos indicate it.

Unfortunately I couldn't give it a trial this afternoon as I perforated an ear drum and I am flat out hearing, let alone hearing any air escape from a pressure pot other than air escaping through my ear! Worse still I am supposed to fly to Perth soon and the doctor grimaced when I told him. Ohh well my risk it seems.

As a matter interest for those reading this, the doctor suggested earplugs or ear muffs when turning some types of timber to prevent an infection from it in the ear and then the possiblilty of what I have.

Greg

No good about the ears, hope it heals up Ok. Yes an infection can possibly come from some woods, but unlikely I'd say, certainly not a perforated ear drum.

The trap should be vertical. i'd be using a liquid sealer rather than tape, then you can achieve the alignment, just then need to leave to set.

I agree with Neil the water if any needs to sit at the bottom in operation else it can be sucked through and negate its efficiency. When tightening the lid tighten opposing screws in sequence to get an even pull down , should not need any more leverage than what you can apply by hand . Sometimes you need to release and move the lid slightly to get a good seal as well ,if it leaks that is hehe. the safety will cut out at about 45 lbs ,usually enough for most casting, I set the pressure on my compressor to a fraction below the pot cutout,otherwise you will get a continuous cycle which can be annoying . All good fun though and I am sure you will get it pretty easily ,Next comes what to do ,and that is the exciting bit never can be certain just what will come out of the pot ,Like any good cook follow the recipes ,and the results will be good , cheers ~ John

Too bad about the ear, as someone who has suffered ear problems all his life I know what a pain it is. As for flying with ear problems I can understand the Dr. grimacing, not nice been there and done that, ouch!!! let me out of here.

I was fortunate with the fittings for my pot, other than the bits I got from sca I found all the rest in my bits of plumbing / air fittings collection. I had a similar hassle with the trap but just wound more tape on getting progressively thicker as it wound along the thread until it firmed up enough with the glass on the bottom. Took a couple of goes but got there and no leaks.
The only place mine ever leaked was the outlet and that was an original fitting, was barely discernible with soapy water, even that took up and stopped. You are almost there and ready to enjoy the creative part. cheers Des