Shoebox experience (anyone)
Looking in to the shoebox for air source ,anyone with experience please chime in
is the freedom 8 worth the extra coin
by the tim3 you take every thing needed compressor, shoebox , fittingsand water filter
How much of a coin is in the unit ?
How long does it take to pump from 3,000 -4,500 P.S.I, got a carbon fiber (4500) 88 cu
Will the shoebox pump to the range from (4800-5000), or does it only pump to 4500 also can you turn it up
How often does the sgoebox need to be serviced or rebuilt
I would only be pumping once a week fro. About 3000-4500
THANKS
FRANK
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Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
I have the original chain-drive mechanically-switched Shoebox. I have had to change the orings once in 2.5 years. I use it to top off two 44 cu ft SCBA tanks from 3000 to 4500 and It takes about 2.5 hours. Per Tom I have been using increased input pressure to about 100 psi which steps the fill rate up about 50%. It does fine as long as you grease it (but not too much) each use and keep it cool (I blow a fan on the cylinders). It has had no other problems. I am considering a Raptor/Omega as they get a proven track record for the additional speed and moisture elimination capabilities. Tom is trying to address this on the Shoeboxes as well with a high pressure filter he is working on. I use a large desiccant filter in between the two compressors and have noticed no moisture issues in the final tanks but I know some have. 😉
I also have a F8 and love it. I took my 97cf tank to get filled and had to leave it over night because tank was heating up as they filled it.
Two trips later and 100 miles driven, I thought that will be the last time…
It takes me 3 hours to go from 3000 to 4500 psi and I don’t have to leave home! 😆
Zonk
I have an f8 too…. I use it for 3 hrs at a time. That’s the time it takes me to go from 220 bar to 4500 psi on my 88cf tank. Clean it and grease it before each use. Probaly got 40 hours on it. No issues here works as advertised. Not the quickest out there and doesn’t have a big pressure moisture filter. But at 1200$. It’s the only thing in that range. Next best would be the raptor pneumatics compressor at 1800$. But it fills faster has a high pressure filter and other options. Haven’t tried one yet
I have owned the older one, sold it to buy the new one. I liked both units and obviously I thought the newer one was worth the extra bucks! lol I do not regret my decision the newer one is less maintenance and works great. I would not be without one again!
Just use it like it is intended you cannot fill 6 scuba tanks in a row lol I top off the guppy tanks after every use. I also fill my scuba tank but do so again by topping off regularly. I try tnot to run it for hours and hours straight it is a personal compressor not a production machine. I never had to rebuild mine because I kept it cool but planning the useage. Get one you will not regret it air on demand all the time everything topped up and ready.
Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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I had a Shoebox Max with belt drive and added my own internal fan. I liked it so much that I upgraded to the Freedom 8 and sold my Shoebox Max to a local air gun buddy. I have the resources to get any type of compressor and have been tempted to get a used Bauer, new Airtex 45, or a Raptor Pneumatics. The biggest reason I haven’t upgraded is that the Freedom 8 does everything I need it to do. It takes 2 hours runtime to top off my 66cf tank from 3k to 4800k. It is smaller and lighter than any other high pressure compressor which makes it easy to set up and store after a fill. I paired it with a Rolair JC-10 which makes for a very quiet, unobtrusive fill. I only need to refill my tank once or twice a month so the extra cost of an upgrade to save runtime really makes no economic sense. I might have tried a Raptor if it had a proven track record and I knew that Raptor Pneumatics was more than just an importer. No one has given me any concrete information about this company other than what they promise to do. The beauty of the Shoebox is its simplicity. I can replace anything on it that wears or breaks without shipping a heavy compressor to a repair station. Also, my Shoebox has not had moisture problems because I use a quality desiccant filter and drain my Rolair tank at every lube stop. The Shoebox is great and I can’t justify anything else as it does the job and has advantages I can’t overlook.