My ShoeBox gets an UPGRADE (video)
After hearing of a few people getting the Shoebox upgrade and being pleasantly surprised at how much quieter it was, I reviewed Tom Kaye’s website (www.shoeboxcompressor.com) and read up on the “UPGRADE” parts. Harder steel pistons and a belt drive system (quiet and low maintenance) sounds pretty good to me as BETTER is always a good thing especially when it comes to things such as high usage compressors. So I ordered the belt drive system and the hardened steel pistons.
After my parts came in, I logged onto my computer and started reviewing Tom’s DIY videos on the Shoebox website. I had easily memorized the whole process and decided to go down in the garage with new parts in hand and do the installation. I also decided to video the process as, well, IT’S JUST WHAT I DO…lol. It’s also just to show how easy the upgrade is and its something I really had fun doing. I love taking things apart and putting them back together especially if I’m making it BETTER….lol.
BEFORE INSTALLING PARTS ON THE SHOEBOX:
I can’t stress enough (from all that I’ve learned of the shoebox unit) to watch Tom’s DIY videos before any tear down (rebuild) or upgrade is done to your personal Shoebox. The MAIN reason being is that the unit (shoebox) must go back together PRECISELY as to not cause leaks or brand new parts to be ruined or accelerated wear on parts or, the unit to not compress properly if at all into your SCBA/SCUBA tanks. Upgrading/Rebuilding the Shoebox is not hard at all and it’s fun, but, care must be given when tearing down and installing new parts.
The video:
My take:
I am very impressed with the upgrade parts AND the Shoebox. I 1st must thank Tom Kaye for making the Shoebox. It works, it’s affordable, it’s rebuildable, and it’s compact and light. It also gives the owner the freedom of NOT having to rely on a dive shop which can be far away and expensive (in more ways than one) and possibly not fill your tank full which I have experienced quite a few times. The new belt drive system is waaaaayyyyyy more quiet than the chain drive and it’s cleaner. You don’t have to worry about lubing a chain anymore and getting lube all over the units interior. And the hardened pistons should provide a lot more life to the pistons which is a super PLUS. Since the upgrade, the one thing I noticed is that when your shop compressor is ON and running, you CAN NOT HEAR the Shoebox running until the shop compressor turns off……….lol! Wasn’t that way with the chain drive unit installed.
FYI: Just a little heads up. If you decide to do the upgrade, while you have unit apart, NOW would be the time to do a rebuild on the cylinders (white o-rings and piston sleeves) if you’ve had some previous run time (a lot) on the unit.
Thanx for watching and STAY TUNED!
Tofazfou
http://www.tofazfou.blogspot.com/
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Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
MR Newbie and PB,
Yeah, even on some of TK’s DIY videos, i noticed that his compressor was different than mine. That’s why in the video i said that i didn’t wanna mention tool sizes for certain parts as it seems most will or can vary. But, it makes sense cause i’m sure that as TK made the first batch of SB’s, once he realized some things could change, he probably made those changes accordingly (just a guess on my part). But yeah, when i watched the DIY video for “REMOVING THE PISTONS”, he just pulled his right outta the unit through that bracket. On mine though, that could not be done without drilling a hole. Which i did.
It’s also from my understanding that the new pistons are coming in to him PRE-CUT. And yes, the new HPA piston is longer than the original piston and the LPA pistons are different by about a 1/4″.
As time goes on, i’m sure there are gonna be MORE upgrades.
I’m just waiting patiently on the Gas powered 28cc weedeater motor. (in my best TIM THE TOOLMAN IMPRESSION)………uggg ugggg…MORE POWER!….lol
looks like there is also a bushing in the hole on some shoeboxes also for the high pressure piston rod
I see something…odd, not the same as mine
The High Pressure piston/rod.
Its longer, requiring a clearance hole to be cut out of that mounting bracket by the motor.
Strange TK did not cut it down to the original length.
True that Tofaz…it is a nice compressor. If you ever need lots of air quickly, just call and I’ll take care of you. My Hammworthy is just too cool.
Thanx PB and Steve.
PB, Steve said it pretty good the other day on another thread. Stop buying guns and get yourself a compressor. I wished i had bough LESS airguns today and bought a compressor instead. Getting a scuba tank filled elsewhere has been a PAIN IN MY ASS for so many years. Till recently.
Steve, your right about Tom and the Shoebox. For 500 bucks, this thing is PRICELESS and worth every penny then MORE. But boy oh boy, that compressor YOU HAVE is something else 😉 Wanna trade? 😆
Tom Kaye has made owning a HPA compressor a no brainer. Thanks Tom. 😀
That’s another great video Tofaz. Thanks for performing such a valuable public service. I’m sure many Shoebox owners agree.
gota get one of those!!
Rob,
Thanx for watching. Got some tips and advice for you. i can call you when and if you want me too. Might have to send me your number again via PM
will have to watch the vid tonight as I’m at work now…. but if it has your endorsement, that means a lot to me.
Thinking I’ll do the upgrades next time I’m due for a rebuild… I had some issues in the beginning with my compressor, but a rebuild seems to have fixed it and it’s been running fine..
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man… sure do want a shoebox… i still can’t justify the expense. still… very jealous.
//ed