I am getting rid of my Shoebox

But only to replace it with a Freedom 8 that I pulled the trigger on today.

Shooting big bores daily means the Shoebox runs on a daily basis.

Luckily Tom designed it to only wear on the orings, so a rebuild every so often keeps it new and running. I have always kept fans running on the cylinders and the motor, and I think that is the most important thing you can do for your Shoebox for heat is your enemy.

I have had a Shoebox for over two years now, I upgraded to a belt drive and hardened piston and grooved cylinders a year ago.

But with a Ranger 45 and a Haley 257 and now a Rapid 25 running full throttle, the little gal is running daily. With a 4500PSI 44 ci tank and shooting down to 3400 PSI, I get either 30 shots with the Ranger 45 or 45 with the Haley.

So I will rebuild the little Shoebox one last time when the Freedom 8 gets here and then post it on the Yellow with extra belts and rebuild kits.

There is nothing like a Shoebox. No way I could shoot at the level I do with what I do without one.

Regards,

Roachcreek

knifemaker

Participant

March 18, 2013 at 10:46 pm

Thanks RC! Central Texas is a strange place. No rain, Hot as Hell, Full on drout and high Humity=WTF? 😕

Will Do. 😉

KnifeMaker

dem-gators

March 18, 2013 at 5:44 pm

Thanks RC

just got my shoebox max and guppy today so this information is a big help for a beginner PCP rifleman also living in high humidity

roachcreek

March 18, 2013 at 5:21 pm

Advice…

Well heat is your first enemy, moisture second.

If you do not have fans on your unit, keep the cover off, run a fan on the cylinders and run a fan blowing onto your motor from the front.

I lube with a shotgun cleaning mop that I bent in a shepards crook and I put the lube on it and to apply to the rods. Unplug it or hold that switch when you lube it, it can cut your digits off. I lube every two hours instead of every three, and I check the cylinders to make sure they do not get too hot by just touching them, but the fan keeps them pretty cool.

Now on mositure, I live in a rain forest, so I have a greater need for moisture control. I like the McMaster carr filter, others in dry climates or in air conditioned rooms or with dehumidifiers don’t need as much moisture control. I used the cheap HF filters, and I found them severely wanting, they would grow pink while the Shoebox was not running.

I also have pressure guage between the Mcmaster carr moisture filter and the Shoebox to insure it gets enough pressure, and I have a particulate filter between the Shoebox and the McMaster car filter in case dessitant leaks out of the filter.

You will know when it is time to rebuild, it just does not make pressure, you can tell by closing your tank valve when it is running, your just putting air n the line then and the gauge will react quicker, or not at all, to tell you if your needing a rebuild.

I was really hesitant about doing my first rebuild, but they are so simple, but you do need specialized tools.

You need snap ring pliars and you need dental picks to get the Orings out, dull the point on the dental pick so you do not score the inside of the cylinders.

It is suggested that when doing the rebuild that you get the nut on the back check valve end of the cylinder timed the same way each time with the nut on the air supply tube and on the cylinder, do this by using a center punch to mark the position on the nuts, I first used a Sharpie, but that wears off fast.

Buy a lot of pellets. 😛

March 18, 2013 at 4:44 pm

And now I get to experience the freedom of a shoeBox. Thanks to “Old Goat”!

Should be today or tomorrow! Two years old and with only 20 seconds on it? 😯 WoW!!! 😯

Fill Hose for the SCBA on the way from Joe B. 😉

And advice Guys?

Both of these Guy’s have been a tremendous help toward getting the most out of my AirGunning! 😀

Mike

oldgoat

March 18, 2013 at 7:22 am

Yep; I just got rid of my 2 year old Shoebox. When I got it, I plugged it in just to see how loud it was. It ran for around 20 seconds and then sat for 2 years.

Next week, I am going to order a Freedom 8 and a 97 cf tank from Joe and I actually plan on hooking this one up! Maybe! 😳

I am getting rid of my Shoebox

All Replies