California Air Tools 255C 2.5 Gallon Pressure Pot for Epoxy Resin Casting, Co...

So.... I am a very well-researched person and when I write reviews, it's with a lot of detail so that others who are equally well-researched have something to use as they weigh out their choices. I am a resin artist and I started almost two years ago. After a year of my learning curve yielding many successful projects and a sad number of UNsuccessful projects, I realized that I had learned enough about the personalities of different resins and learned enough to have successful projects, but that BUBBLES are the bane of my existence. I'm sure you know what I mean!! Working with resin and LEARNING to work with resin is so involved: what type of resin for what type of project and what time of year and what's the temp, the humidity...etc. And BUBBLES-- especially MICRO BUBBLES drive my perfectionist nature crazy. SO!! Since I've gotten my craft show schedule in the works and intend to really make my resin art a viable income, AND because I'm a perfectionist, AND because selling my work will pay for my supplies, I decided I needed a pressure pot. Mind you, I am NOT on social media, but I DO watch a lot of youtube vids and there are some amazing resin artists out there and some have pressure pots, although many know that most people DON'T and so work without, which is a cool thing to do. But...I would dream of bubbles and get annoyed. So...I started researching pots and compressors. I think I researched and debated taking this step for about two months. Hands down, California Air Tools pressure pots came out on top. That was an easy choice. (again, check out reviews on youtube and Amazon!). I originally was going to get the 2.5 gal pot, but there were several reviews that advised getting the 5 gal pot because "If you're serious about resin work"-- kind of stuck with me. I wanted to keep costs down, but I know myself well...so...I opted for the 5 gal. I cannot, CANNOT say enough about this pot. My review of the air compressor will be forthcoming (not CA Air Tools, although that's what I intended, but I compared stats and all the stats were the same for a different brand that was less expensive) but this POT is FANTASTIC. My experience is as follows: Received the pot. Pulled it out of the box and had watched enough vids to know that it's ready to go right away. I wanted to do a test run before actually putting a resin project in. I hooked it up and got it to about 46psi. When I turned the compressor off, I leaned in and heard a slight "hiss" coming from the pot. Not good. I decompressed and recompressed about four times and each time, I heard this slight 'hiss' that seemed to be coming from the regulator apparatus. So I finally just left it "full" to see what would happen. By the next morning, it was down to just below 20 psi. I checked the regulator, I checked the gaskets, I checked everything...and finally called CA Air Tools. Customer service was great. They told me to do a soapy water test- if you don't know what that is, you put a mixture of dish soap/water all over the various outlets of the pot while it's full of air, and wherever the leak is, you'll see bubbles form. CA customer service wanted a picture or video of the leak. Well, it was a clear result-- the base of the regulator was a bubble factor. So I took a pic and emailed it to Victor, in cust service. He got back to me the next day to say that a new regulator apparatus was on the way. I received it within a week. Mind you-- it was VERY easy to replace and I chose to use pipe tape just in case... Since then, not one 'hiss' or leak. I've used my pot for 24-hour cures and even more frequently, for 72 hr cures. Over 72 hrs, the pot will lose about 7 or 8 psi but that doesn't concern me. I set my regulator at 50 for the long cures so when I demold, it's around 42, plenty of pressure to reduce bubbles. It's AMAZING to pull my projects out and have them CLEAR as water. Fantastic. I haven't put the wheels on-- I have it stationary on my craft room floor--- LEVEL is key. I also purchased a five-tier rack from an Etsy shop-- overkill, as I only use three of the shelf levels. There is no way I'm going to put one project in at a time, so a rack was going to be purchased. One thing to keep in mind about pressure pots: you have to get whatever you poured, into the pot without spilling...not easy. (which is another reason a rack is good.) The other thing to note is that reducing air bubbles sometimes creates a little 'void' at the top of your resin project, so top coating may be necessary (and worth it, for a bubble free casting!) Oh, and one other VERY important thing to note: Before I used this pressure pot, I could demold a long cure (I typically use JDiction Deep Pour resin) project after 48 hrs. With a pressure pot, I've learned to wait an extra 12-24 hrs before demolding. Depending on the environment, some bubbles might reform after 48 hrs! Hard to believe, but it happened to me! The larger projects cure better- smaller projects (like wine bottle stoppers) may pop a bubble up if the resin is still gelatinous. All in all, EXCELLENT purchase, EXCELLENT customer service, the pot is heavy, well-made, and simple to use. I have a quiet air compressor and prior to purchasing both items, I called CA Air Tools for some advice, and it was advised that I get a 1HP compressor. So that's what I did. Mind you, I do NOT know 'tools' like some people do, so you may know something different, but five gal is pretty big so I was happy to go for what the advice was. If you are on the fence or need more info, just call CA Air Tools. Cust service is very personable and informative, you can't go wrong! And to be BUBBLE FREE is fantastic!

This pressure pot is built in such a sturdy and great way. It is high-quality all the way around some of the pressure pots I’ve owned in the past. I had to really torque down the wing-nuts to hold the top in place this one just a good snug and we’re good to go, this is absolutely the best built pot. I think I’ve ever owned. no problem whatsoever. Super easy to deal with they have multiple sizes. Prices a little high yes but the quality makes up for that. What are can say is is that even with the price. It is a great value for the money that you pay. I recommend this product and to be honest I will be buying their larger pots very soon. I am nothing more than perfectly happy with this.

I don't really know what all to say about it honestly it's pretty straightforward. Easy to assemble. Holds pressure. Does it's job well. And does a lovely place to display stickers you accumulate. I do wish that it had a separate release valve versus just an emergency valve type situation but I think you could convert the other option on there to an actual release so you don't have to pull the ring. Overall it does what I needed an elevated my resin game because now I have no bubbles and it turns out crystal clear. I usually do mine around 40 to 45 PSI. I also use the California air tools small quiet compressor and it's super quiet you can even do it in an apartment building. Which is great because I just moved from the house I was renting with the roommate to a place of my own that's smaller and now that I'm in more of a four-plex situation I don't worry so much about the noise because it's pretty quiet. They make quality stuff.

Love my pressure pot, it is used often for Resin casting. GREAT Customer service. First one we received had a faulty pressure valve, Seller promptly replaced, and we sent the faulty one back.

Works awesome. Got this one because its short and wide. Great for doing cutting boards, Over molds, Silicone molds. Thing just works well and is a great size for bigger things.

Holds pressure very well. Solid tool

I bought this pressure pot, with the understanding that the description stated the diameter of the opening was 13 inches. Well, it is NOT 13 inches across. It is 12 3/8 inches! I posted a question, asking the manufacturer to validate the dimensions, but received no reply. Yes, I could have emailed them directly, but, I am asking through Amazon directly. The pot itself is pretty beefy in size and durability. The large wing-nuts that secure the lid turn smooth, and the lid is built to hold up to those wing-nuts putting pressure onto the seal around the edge. Just some friendly advice, make sure you check the rubber seal in the lid before securing it to the base, as sometimes debris and larger dust particulate may make its way onto the seal, and cause leakage ir damage the seal. This has happened to me a couple times, but, luckily I removed the debris and had a great seal. I double checked all of the inserts and fittings on the lid and found a couple of the bolts loose and the sealant they used was brittle and cracked. I replaced the sealants with thread tape and have had no leaks. The only item(s) that I needed to get the pot to working-status right out of the box were one female-to-male hose adapter, one female-to-female adapter, and one male air hose adapter. I am sure I could have used less, but, I opted for future use. *see photo for parts i used, I point out the 3 items I installed* Besides the dimensions being off from what is advertised, the pot holds pressure and holds it over the course of at least 6-10 hours. I have not left it pressurized more than that time. I would usually fill the pot to about 46 PSI, and after a couple of minutes, the pressure would stabilize to around 43-44 PSI. Overall, I am happy with the pot for resin casting and hybrid casting with wood.

Great product very easy to use sturdy construction used for resin pores would buy a gain

Item arrived packaged well however I seem to be experiencing some leakage which I still cannot confirm if it's the fitting or the welded fixture which the seller has applied some wax looking sealant. Basically unable to hold pressure and I am unable to contact the seller for replacement/refund.

I use the California Air Tools 255C pressure pot for casting epoxy resin knife scales, and it’s been fantastic. It holds pressure consistently, which is crucial for achieving bubble-free casts. The build quality is excellent; it feels solid and well-constructed, giving me confidence it’ll hold up over time. It’s also easy to operate, with straightforward setup that make setting and maintaining pressure simple. For anyone working with resin or similar casting materials, this pressure pot is a reliable, high-quality option that delivers great results every time. Highly recommended!

It is a great addition to all my projects it a perfect size

Perfect for smaller castings