California Air Tools 255C 2.5 Gallon Pressure Pot for Epoxy Resin Casting, Coated Steel Tank, Portable, Blue

So.... I am a very well-researched person and when I write reviews, it's with a lot of detail so that others who are equally well-researched have something to use as they weigh out their choices. I am a resin artist and I started almost two years ago. After a year of my learning curve yielding many successful projects and a sad number of UNsuccessful projects, I realized that I had learned enough about the personalities of different resins and learned enough to have successful projects, but that BUBBLES are the bane of my existence. I'm sure you know what I mean!! Working with resin and LEARNING to work with resin is so involved: what type of resin for what type of project and what time of year and what's the temp, the humidity...etc. And BUBBLES-- especially MICRO BUBBLES drive my perfectionist nature crazy. SO!! Since I've gotten my craft show schedule in the works and intend to really make my resin art a viable income, AND because I'm a perfectionist, AND because selling my work will pay for my supplies, I decided I needed a pressure pot. Mind you, I am NOT on social media, but I DO watch a lot of youtube vids and there are some amazing resin artists out there and some have pressure pots, although many know that most people DON'T and so work without, which is a cool thing to do. But...I would dream of bubbles and get annoyed. So...I started researching pots and compressors. I think I researched and debated taking this step for about two months. Hands down, California Air Tools pressure pots came out on top. That was an easy choice. (again, check out reviews on youtube and Amazon!). I originally was going to get the 2.5 gal pot, but there were several reviews that advised getting the 5 gal pot because "If you're serious about resin work"-- kind of stuck with me. I wanted to keep costs down, but I know myself well...so...I opted for the 5 gal. I cannot, CANNOT say enough about this pot. My review of the air compressor will be forthcoming (not CA Air Tools, although that's what I intended, but I compared stats and all the stats were the same for a different brand that was less expensive) but this POT is FANTASTIC. My experience is as follows: Received the pot. Pulled it out of the box and had watched enough vids to know that it's ready to go right away. I wanted to do a test run before actually putting a resin project in. I hooked it up and got it to about 46psi. When I turned the compressor off, I leaned in and heard a slight "hiss" coming from the pot. Not good. I decompressed and recompressed about four times and each time, I heard this slight 'hiss' that seemed to be coming from the regulator apparatus. So I finally just left it "full" to see what would happen. By the next morning, it was down to just below 20 psi. I checked the regulator, I checked the gaskets, I checked everything...and finally called CA Air Tools. Customer service was great. They told me to do a soapy water test- if you don't know what that is, you put a mixture of dish soap/water all over the various outlets of the pot while it's full of air, and wherever the leak is, you'll see bubbles form. CA customer service wanted a picture or video of the leak. Well, it was a clear result-- the base of the regulator was a bubble factor. So I took a pic and emailed it to Victor, in cust service. He got back to me the next day to say that a new regulator apparatus was on the way. I received it within a week. Mind you-- it was VERY easy to replace and I chose to use pipe tape just in case... Since then, not one 'hiss' or leak. I've used my pot for 24-hour cures and even more frequently, for 72 hr cures. Over 72 hrs, the pot will lose about 7 or 8 psi but that doesn't concern me. I set my regulator at 50 for the long cures so when I demold, it's around 42, plenty of pressure to reduce bubbles. It's AMAZING to pull my projects out and have them CLEAR as water. Fantastic. I haven't put the wheels on-- I have it stationary on my craft room floor--- LEVEL is key. I also purchased a five-tier rack from an Etsy shop-- overkill, as I only use three of the shelf levels. There is no way I'm going to put one project in at a time, so a rack was going to be purchased. One thing to keep in mind about pressure pots: you have to get whatever you poured, into the pot without spilling...not easy. (which is another reason a rack is good.) The other thing to note is that reducing air bubbles sometimes creates a little 'void' at the top of your resin project, so top coating may be necessary (and worth it, for a bubble free casting!) Oh, and one other VERY important thing to note: Before I used this pressure pot, I could demold a long cure (I typically use JDiction Deep Pour resin) project after 48 hrs. With a pressure pot, I've learned to wait an extra 12-24 hrs before demolding. Depending on the environment, some bubbles might reform after 48 hrs! Hard to believe, but it happened to me! The larger projects cure better- smaller projects (like wine bottle stoppers) may pop a bubble up if the resin is still gelatinous. All in all, EXCELLENT purchase, EXCELLENT customer service, the pot is heavy, well-made, and simple to use. I have a quiet air compressor and prior to purchasing both items, I called CA Air Tools for some advice, and it was advised that I get a 1HP compressor. So that's what I did. Mind you, I do NOT know 'tools' like some people do, so you may know something different, but five gal is pretty big so I was happy to go for what the advice was. If you are on the fence or need more info, just call CA Air Tools. Cust service is very personable and informative, you can't go wrong! And to be BUBBLE FREE is fantastic!

This pressure pot is built in such a sturdy and great way. It is high-quality all the way around some of the pressure pots I’ve owned in the past. I had to really torque down the wing-nuts to hold the top in place this one just a good snug and we’re good to go, this is absolutely the best built pot. I think I’ve ever owned. no problem whatsoever. Super easy to deal with they have multiple sizes. Prices a little high yes but the quality makes up for that. What are can say is is that even with the price. It is a great value for the money that you pay. I recommend this product and to be honest I will be buying their larger pots very soon. I am nothing more than perfectly happy with this.

I don't really know what all to say about it honestly it's pretty straightforward. Easy to assemble. Holds pressure. Does it's job well. And does a lovely place to display stickers you accumulate. I do wish that it had a separate release valve versus just an emergency valve type situation but I think you could convert the other option on there to an actual release so you don't have to pull the ring. Overall it does what I needed an elevated my resin game because now I have no bubbles and it turns out crystal clear. I usually do mine around 40 to 45 PSI. I also use the California air tools small quiet compressor and it's super quiet you can even do it in an apartment building. Which is great because I just moved from the house I was renting with the roommate to a place of my own that's smaller and now that I'm in more of a four-plex situation I don't worry so much about the noise because it's pretty quiet. They make quality stuff.

It only holds 60 PSI overnight although I put 78 in it yesterday. It lost the first 10 lbs pretty quick and then held good. Should be OK for casting. The pressure guage was mounted vertical which made no sense to me so I added an elbow ito mount it horizontal so I could read it without contortions. The regulator on the inlet is not needed for casting so they could save some money by deleting that group of fittings and plugging the hole. Since pretty much every body uses the same air fitting it would be more convenient if they shipped it with a hose fitting on the valve for Paint Out. I put one there and after pumping it up and turning the valve off just disconnect. If that fitting was included and the guage was horizontal the tool would be plug-n-play. It is very high quality and solid like a production tool. Quite robust. ***** I have used it for several bowls now and am very happy with the performance. It will hold about 65 lbs consistently and that is plenty for casting. I would buy it again if I ever need a second one.

Love my pressure pot, it is used often for Resin casting. GREAT Customer service. First one we received had a faulty pressure valve, Seller promptly replaced, and we sent the faulty one back.

Works awesome. Got this one because its short and wide. Great for doing cutting boards, Over molds, Silicone molds. Thing just works well and is a great size for bigger things.

Well made and nice looking pressure tank for resin molds. However, I had a leak on the quick connect fitting where the air compressor ties in. Replaced this fitting and it's leak tight and held pressure for twelve hours.

Holds pressure very well. Solid tool