Tests for TK’s new Minni Compressor? How to "break"
In case you have not been following a paintballer has introduced a new mini compressor for 390$. You can get all the details here:
Look under info and what not. There are also several threads on it on:
automags.org
Anyway I have one on the way (as I think one or two other forum members do) in the next week or two and I wondered what you all would like to see done to the thing? What tests beyond the obvious “how long to fill my tank?” can you blow it up etc. would you like me to try? I am thinking it will be worth attempting some upgrading, filling scubas etc.
Anyway if anyone is in the Tacoma WA area and would like to get together some weekend I am dieing to get out and shoot and testing the compressor would be a good excuse.
Thoughts?
All Replies
8 or 9 minutes
How long does it take to top off an AF tank from approx 2000psi to 3000psi?
Any particular type of WL grease?
likely each use is enough. No point stopping it to lube on a fill.
Tom recommends lubing every 3-4 hours. if filling a scuba tank from empty, you can count on 9-10 hours of fill time- hence at least 2 lubes before it is filled. if your fill job is less than 3-4 hours, lube initially then don’t worry about it- just lube before you put it away. any lithium grease will do. got mine at Lowes for about $4- enough to last till i die at age 100.
Sound like cascade small tanks and using top off is way to go for this small compressor like this. But it does add up more $$$ for cascade fittings.
Any particular type of WL grease?
likely each use is enough. No point stopping it to lube on a fill.
So you need to lube every 3-4 hours? I don’t mind doing that for a SCUBA to top it off… once it is I’m golden I can leave it for weeks between refills.
Any particular type of WL grease?
Do you have a list of “additional” parts that would make it run better (safer)
I want one, but haven’t been able to register at the forum to order 👿 👿 👿
I signed up on “the list” a little over a month ago for a 4500 PSI model but in the meantime I found an automags.org member selling his new unused compressor at cost. I was a little hesitant to buy one this way, but my place on the list was pretty far down so I decided to take a chance. I am very glad I did! The compressor arrived in perfect condition and was unused as advertised. First, I filled my 44 cf SCBA tank from 0 – 4500 PSI and have subsequently filled it from 3000-4500 PSI four times without a hitch. Also, I recently filled a friend’s 88 cf SCBA tank from 0-4500 PSI without any issues. I have been faithfully lubricating the piston shafts with white lithium grease but other than that I haven’t done anything else to the compressor. My only complaint about the configuration of the Shoebox is the recessed male foster connection on the output side. It is difficult to connect/disconnect the female end to it with the front cover in place ( I run mine with the front cover in place for safety and to reduce contamination of the internal mechanism). Anyway, the compressor has performed perfectly throughout my light duty usage.
Hope this helps, Ken
your purchase experience mirrors mine exactly!! found a previous buyer that never used his and needed money. also, i agree the output fitting can’t be accessed with a female QD hose without removing the cover. unlike you, i leave the cover off once i hook up and turn it in. it is just too much trouble to take the cover off every 3-4 hours to lube the piston rod. basically i don’t worry about safety and lawyers( too old for that shit), i believe in common sense and accepting personally responsibility for my own screw-ups. i love this thing- NO COMPLAINTS!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the TAG!
:tag:
You lucky SOB!!! Hope I get mine soon!!!
Do you have a list of “additional” parts that would make it run better (safer)
I want one, but haven’t been able to register at the forum to order 👿 👿 👿
I signed up on “the list” a little over a month ago for a 4500 PSI model but in the meantime I found an automags.org member selling his new unused compressor at cost. I was a little hesitant to buy one this way, but my place on the list was pretty far down so I decided to take a chance. I am very glad I did! The compressor arrived in perfect condition and was unused as advertised. First, I filled my 44 cf SCBA tank from 0 – 4500 PSI and have subsequently filled it from 3000-4500 PSI four times without a hitch. Also, I recently filled a friend’s 88 cf SCBA tank from 0-4500 PSI without any issues. I have been faithfully lubricating the piston shafts with white lithium grease but other than that I haven’t done anything else to the compressor. My only complaint about the configuration of the Shoebox is the recessed male foster connection on the output side. It is difficult to connect/disconnect the female end to it with the front cover in place ( I run mine with the front cover in place for safety and to reduce contamination of the internal mechanism). Anyway, the compressor has performed perfectly throughout my light duty usage.
Hope this helps, Ken
Thanks for the update walter. I was hoping that my 4500 psi Shoebox woukd be shipped in the next few days. Looks like there is going to be a delay. 🙁
Do you have a list of “additional” parts that would make it run better (safer)
I want one, but haven’t been able to register at the forum to order 👿 👿 👿
The compressor is rugged and needs no more than periodic lubrication.
IMO adding a pressure limiting valve on the outlet is the cats ass.
I did that and have it set at 3,000psi allowing the Shoebox pressure cutout to function as set at 4500psi. This accomplishs two things. Precise pressure fills and the compressor cutout is not working away until the pressure actually climbs to the 4500psi.
The Shoebox Compresor is a winner in my estimation, a job well done Tom Kaye!
Walter….
Those of you that own the shobox, how’s it doing so far?
Do you have a list of “additional” parts that would make it run better (safer)
I want one, but haven’t been able to register at the forum to order 👿 👿 👿
adjusted the adjustment collar outward this AM and finished filling the tank. IT SHUT OFF AT EXACTLY 450PSI. took a total of 9 1/2 hours of total run time( plus of course, the time spent with the unit off to lube the piston rod every 3 hours). a little water spray when i vented the compressor but very little. the dessicant filter i put in the line from the shop compressor changed color, indicating water absorption. the timer i hooked the unit to worked perfectly- shut off the unit just like clockwork every 3 hours. i was glad to see that the pressure gauge built into the scba tank valve showed the same pressure as the large gauge in my fill whip. now i will know what the tanks pressure is and when to refill it without having to buy a dead head and attaching my fill whip to my tank.. thank God, i won’t have to fill my tank from empty again. all in all- a VERY successful first run. also the slapping noise i heard last night was not the adjustment collar hitting the piston rod bearing- it was the shut off arm htiting the shut off switch.
tank is at 3800psi but the switch keeps cutting it off. too late to fool with it tonite but will try to adjust the shutoff pressure upward tomorrow. as i recall, you slide the collar just a little outward toward the end of the shaft( tried to check the shoebox/automag database but the website is having problems.) you can hear the collar slapping the bushing right before it shuts off.
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If you have 2 scuba tank like 44cf, top off would be a lot faster.