5 Best Pressure Pot For Resin Casting Right Now

One of the most common problems seen while resin casting is the presence of air bubbles. 

When the project cures, these air bubbles can leave unpleasant holes on its surface. Even though it's possible to sand and remove some of these holes, it can become a tedious job for large projects. 

Hence, the best solution is to use a tool to take out the air bubbles from the resin before it is cured. And, this is why professional resin casters use a pressure pot to solve their problem.

A pressure pot is usually used to spray liquids and do paint jobs, but modifying it for resin casting is quite simple. However, the challenging part is choosing the right unit for your job. Therefore, we thought of creating this informative guide recommending some of the best pressure pots available on the market.

So, without further ado, let's begin!

1. California Air Tools 5 Gallon Pressure Pot

A professional resin caster would instantly fall in love with this pressure pot because of its excellent design. And, it takes only a few minutes to convert the pressure pot for resin work. So, you will be able to work with it as soon as the package arrives at your home. 

When it comes to resin casting, most people have to settle for small pressure tanks. But, that isn't the case with this product as it has a massive ten-gallon cavity. The tank has a diameter of 15 inches and a height of 17.5 inches which is enough to hold medium-sized molds. 

However, what we really like about this pressure tank is its Teflon coating. This ensures that you can quickly clean up the tank, especially during those times when there has been a spillage. The base material of the tank is steel which makes it even more durable, and it doesn't wobble when it's filled with air. 

The pressure capacity of this tank wouldn't disappoint you as it works at a range of 20-30 psi which is enough for resin casting. And, the large lid gasket ensures that the compressed air won't be able to escape until you open the pressure relief valve.  

The only complaint we found about this California Air Tools pressure pot was that some people received products with a maximum pressure label of 50 psi. However, most people seemed to have received the correct product. So, if you come across a similar problem, make sure to contact the company to get the correct item. 

2. TCP Global ‎2-1/2 Gallon Pressure Pot

If you're just starting with resin work, you may not want to initially invest in a big pressure pot. This product from TCP Global has the perfect tank capacity for accommodating smaller resin molds. So, let's check out some features present in this unit. 

The first thing we noticed about this pressure pot was the clamps. Every clamp is soldered onto the body of the pot, so there's no way you can lose them. And, when you tighten the clamps after lowering the lid, it creates a firm seal so that none of the compressed air can escape the tank. 

Moreover, the best feature of this pressure pot has to be its size which is comparable to a medium/large-sized pressure cooker. So, this product is excellent for those who have to work with limited space. And, once the task is over, you can easily store it on a regular shelf. 

Besides, this pressure pot is made of heavy-duty solid steel, so you don't need to worry about denting even while using it at maximum working pressure. And, the stainless steel finish makes it easy to clean the tank of this pot if there's any resin spillage.  

Even though this is an excellent pressure pot, our only gripe is the time taken to modify it for resin casting. This isn't really a drawback as this product was originally meant for paint jobs and other similar tasks. However, once modified, this pressure pot will remain an integral part of your resin workspace. 

3. ABLAZE 1.5 Gallon Stainless Steel Vacuum Chamber

Are you looking for a small yet effective tool for resin casting? If yes, then this vacuum chamber from Ablaze would be an excellent choice for you. It might look small, but along with the right vacuum pump, you can get a lot of use from it to make several projects. 

One of the reasons people are wary of getting a pressure pot is because of its weight. This vacuum chamber weighs only 5 pounds, so anyone can lift it without any challenges. You can even place this product on a wooden or plastic table, and it won't weigh down the surface. 

We especially liked the transparent lid of this vacuum chamber, as it gives you a peek inside the tank. This helps you to keep an eye on the resin project to see the progress. It's especially helpful for catching spillages as early as possible for easy cleaning. 

Moreover, this product comes with an extended 5-foot pipe, so it can be easily connected to any vacuum chamber even if placed at a distance. And, the lid has a silicone gasket to create an airtight seal that would resist the loss of pressure.  

We have read a lot of positive reviews about this vacuum chamber. However, some customers saw slight cracks on the lids that may have been caused during transit. So, if you face a similar problem, try contacting Ablaze to resolve it as soon as possible. 

4. BACOENG 3 Gallon Stainless Steel Vacuum Chamber

BACOENG is a leading producer of vacuum chambers, and this has to be one of their best models. Along with being an essential tool for degassing materials like rubber and epoxies, this product looks aesthetic because of the orange accents. So, let's have a look at the advantages of using it for your projects. 

Even though many vacuum chambers do have glass lids, most aren't up to the mark. So, there's always a fear of it breaking, but you wouldn't need to worry about that with the glass lid provided with this item. 

Unlike acrylic lids, this one is made of thick tempered glass so that it won't break even with the highest vacuum pressure. Moreover, it also allows you to take a look at your project during the curing process. 

When it comes to the construction of this vacuum chamber, high-quality stainless steel has been used to make it. And, there's a small amount of chromium in the steel, which shields it from oxidation and chemical damage. 

Furthermore, the company provides a food-safe square silicone mat with this vacuum chamber, which helps catch any leaking resin. 

This isn't really a drawback of this vacuum chamber, but we have observed that it's significantly more expensive than other similar products. Having said that, it's also important to note that this unit comes with a high-quality tempered glass lid and a robust stainless steel body to make it durable. 

5. P PBAUTOS 5 Gallon Vacuum Chamber

Tired of looking for a vacuum chamber that's easy to use? Check out this one from P PBAUTOS as, along with being user-friendly, it has a large tank which is excellent for larger projects. So, let's take a peek at this stainless steel vacuum chamber. 

Often, using a vacuum chamber can be complicated because of all the things that a person has to do. But, a resin artist hardly has time to go through it. Have no fear, as this item from P PBAUTOS has one of the most straightforward assemblies we have seen. Moreover, it comes with carrying handles, so you don't need to worry about transporting it. 

A common concern among resin artists is the ability of vacuum chambers to hold the pressure, and this product does manage to do it quite well. The acrylic lid does have a good weight, which makes the seal even more effective. And, it won't release the pressure until you have opened up the valve. 

Another excellent feature of this vacuum chamber is its quietness. Because of the silencers, the pot works in silence even when the vacuum pump is set to its highest pressure.  

We can't complain about this product as it's a really great vacuum chamber for professional resin artists. However, it does have an acrylic lid which can be a drawback to some people. But, using the pot carefully will reduce the chance of damaging its lid, which is, in fact, bulletproof. 

Pressure Pot For Resin Casting Comparison Table

Pressure Pot For Resin Casting Buying Guide 

When it comes to purchasing a pressure pot, it's easy to get confused about the various options available in the market. One common mistake people make is that they don't check if the pressure pot can even be modified for resin casting.

Here's a guide for making the process easier for you to choose an excellent pressure pot that would last for a long time.

1. Size 

One of the first things to check in a pressure pot is its size, as it would define the resin molds that can fit into the tank. Usually, the capacity of a pressure pot is represented with gallons, the most common one being the 2.5-gallon variant. 

But, you should also check the diameter and height of a tank to make sure that your usual molds will fit into it. The dimensions are usually mentioned in the specifications of a product. 

If you're looking forward to working with resin on a larger scale, it's better to get a bigger pot. However, you should also remember that a bigger pot will need considerably more air to build up the required pressure. 

2. Pressure Capacity

The main goal of using a pressure pot is to create an environment to compress any air bubbles present in a resin project. Hence, the pressure capacity of a product will matter a lot, and the recommended pressure level for resin casting is between 30-50 psi. 

Keep that number in mind while looking for a pressure pot so that it can be of use. As most units are made for spraying liquids, the capacity can stop at around 25 psi, which won't be helpful for resin casting. 

Moreover, make sure to get a pressure pot that mentions its maximum pressure limit. This would let you know when to stop filling air into the tank. Be careful while setting the pressure, and if there's even a bit more, try to let the air out to achieve the recommended pressure level. 

3. Ease Of Modification 

You can't just use a pressure pot for resin casting after getting the product. The first thing you should do is change some of the valves and apply tapes to any areas from which the air may escape.

Hence, you should always pick a pressure pot that is easy to modify, as there's no justification for spending hours changing things up. We especially like those products that come with instructions about modifying them for resin casting, but it's also easy to find on the internet. 

And, if a company states that its pressure pot isn't suitable for resin casting, don't even think about getting it for your work.

4. Safety 

While picking a pressure pot, you should take some time to check its safety features. The products will often have things like a gasket on the lid for an airtight seal, safety valves, and clamps on the side to make sure that the pot is secure. 

We also like pressure pots made with high-quality metal as it adds durability. If possible, look for pressure pots with commercial-grade safety features and certifications to remain tension-free while working. 

Having said that, you should also remember to follow all the safety instructions while using the product and never exceed the suggested working pressure. 

5. Pressure Pot Vs Vacuum Chamber 

You must have noticed that we recommended some vacuum chambers along with the pressure pots. The reason behind this is that both products work equally well when it comes to getting rid of air pockets while the resin is curing. 

Compared to pressure pots, the air is drawn out of the tank in a vacuum chamber, which shrinks the bubbles. Vacuum chambers also perform better when you are using rubber molds for resin casting. 

And, those interested in DIY jobs can figure out a way to turn a pressure pot into a vacuum chamber and vice versa. But, always be aware of the pressure or vacuum limit to ensure safety.

Final Words 

So, that's everything we had to tell you about the best pressure pots available on the market. We hope that this guide will help you find the right pressure pot or vacuum chamber for your resin projects. Also, do remember to go through the buying guide to make the correct choice. 

Among our recommendations, we will suggest the California Air Tools 10-gallon pressure pot to anyone who works with bigger resin molds and doesn't want to spend much time in modifications. 

In comparison, the TCP Global ‎PT8310 2-1/2 gallon pressure pot is better suited for those who work on small projects. However, modifying this unit does take a little more time. 

With that, we come to the end of this informative guide about pressure pots for resin casting. Do let us know if you have any queries regarding the suggestions. 

Till then, take care and stay safe!