Shoebox f10 help

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nyjailbird

nyjailbird

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Jan 13, 2019
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Central New York, United States
I have 3 sixty minute SCBA tanks that a close friend has been filling for me but , he's retiring soon .

I prefer not to deal with my local SCUBA shop and the paintball shop is closed more often than it's open . 

Typically I go through 2 tank fills a month . 

In so saying , I've been on the fence with buying a compressor for several months .

The Daystate compressor looks very appealing but I can't justify the expense considering the number of fills per year I would need .

I've looked into Nitrogen but the start up and storage is prohibitive for me at this time .

All this has brought me to looking at the shoebox f10 , I haven't been able to find too much info about what exactly I would need to get started .

As stated I have SCBA tanks with the stock valve's and use CGA347 for my fill station .

What else would I need to purchase to get up and running ? I already have 2 air compressor's but they are oil lube .

As I value the opinions of you fine folks , any help would be greatly appreciated .



Thank you in advance , AL


 
Hello Al, the Shoebox I have is an earlier model than the F 10 so in looking for more information I went to the Pyramyd Air site. In addition to a good description It has a list of tanks and PCP's along with their fill times. That may help you out. The site also said it's unavailable. Out of stock? I'll let you chat with the guy in the pop-up...

Buck in Willcox
 
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The F10 like all the shoeboxes converts a certain amount of air that is provided by your oil-less shop compressor.

In the case of the F10 you input 125psi and the F10 puts out 4500psi.

It is slower than a dive shop but when you factor in your drive time...

The F10 is a real deal and is on sale at a very low price.

If you are veteran, they will take another $50.00 off.
 
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Appreciate what everyone is adding .

I'm still not certain as to what it is I'd need to purchase after I buy a Freedom 10 .

Such as .. could I use the fill assembly I have to connect to the F10 and if so what adapters would I need , if no then what hoses and fittings are needed ?

I understand that I would need a oil free compressor and have been eyeing a few at my local Harbor freight and Tractor Supply .

As for being a Veteran and saving $50 , Yes , Marine 79 - 85 , in fact I'm still wearing a uniform it's just colored blue these days . Which seller is offering a Veteran's discount ?

Thank you again , AL
 
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1558679106_5508301895ce78e42f3dc92.85272079_Screenshot_20190523-232410~2.png


This picture might give you an idea of what you'll need. I'm filling a 19cf scuba here but same principle applies to scba. 

The front cover of the shoebox is off and sitting on the bench behind the yellow tank.

The yellow coiled lines are the 125psi air coming from the shop compressor that is out of view. They connect with the normal low psi connectors that most shop compressors use-they look like larger foster fittings. So the input air inlet to the shoebox is on top of the red shoebox casing-brass in my pic. That is the larger-type, low psi Foster. The outlet of the Shoebox is a normal airgun type male Foster fitting. In my pic you'll see the 4-5inch gold high pressure filter laying on the carpet. I just connect the fill station to that and fill the tank. 

There are a lot of theories out there about what filters are needed and the best place to put them. What I'm doing works for me in dry AZ if I'm careful to fill on low humidity days. My rational with my setup is that I've got 65 ft of low pressure hose, all going uphill, then a small filter from harbor freight with a blow out valve (on the wall in the pic). The blow out valve of the tank on my pancake compressor is the only place I've ever found moisture. Then another 15 ft of coiled line to the Shoebox. I put the high pressure filter right at the shoebox outlet to keep any gunk from the Shoebox out of the line that is going to eventually connect to my gun. The gunk is only a problem if I over lube, but it is caught by the filter. 

Just one way to do it. Might give you some ideas. 


 
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Appreciate what everyone is adding .

I'm still not certain as to what it is I'd need to purchase after I buy a Freedom 10 .

Such as .. could I use the fill assembly I have to connect to the F10 and if so what adapters would I need , if no then what hoses and fittings are needed ?

I understand that I would need a oil free compressor and have been eyeing a few at my local Harbor freight and Tractor Supply .

As for being a Veteran and saving $50 , Yes , Marine 79 - 85 , in fact I'm still wearing a uniform it's just colored blue these days . Which seller is offering a Veteran's discount ?

Thank you again , AL
Click to expand...

Well first off, thank you for your service. 



As for what fittings specifically to buy, there are many MANY ways to skin this cat. I'm currently experimenting with a different type of booster run off a regular air compressor, and don't own a Shoebox specifically so take what I say with a shaker full of salt, but here is roughly what I'd put together. (note I picked harbor freight because you live nearby, but a lot of this stuff can also be gotten, and typically at higher quality, on Amazon or from the usual suspects elsewhere) 

Compressor:
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-gal-13-hp-100-psi-oil-free-pancake-air-compressor-61615.html
These little pancakes are cheap and hard to beat for the price. Be aware that all oil-free compressors should be considered "disposable." They are a little loud and annoying though. so I've heard good things about these although never owned one. https://www.harborfreight.com/2-gallon-1-2-hp-135-psi-ultra-quiet-oil-free-professional-air-compressor.html

Hoses:
https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-x-25-ft-coiled-polyurethane-air-hose-61974.html
These are cheap, you'll need two of them. 



QDs:
https://www.harborfreight.com/industrial-quick-coupler-and-plug-set-5-pc-68192.html
Quick disconnect for the two ends. Kinda self explanatory here. If you want the hoses to all be easy to pull off, you'll need to buy three of these. If you want this rig to be devoted to just running your shoebox, you'll only need one kit. 



Water separator/air dryer:
The harbor freight flavor if these is..... poorly reviewed. (https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-desiccant-dryer-with-oil-removal-filter-69923.html) Amazon might be your win:
https://www.amazon.com/Cleaner-Dryer-Campbell-Hausfeld-PA208503AV/dp/B0009KN9T0/ Keep in mind you'll need to mount this so it sits upright and the air is supposed to pass through it in one direction only. Because of the way the Shoebox input is vertically oriented this you'll need to mount it like seen in Franklink's photo. 



Note the hoses and QDs are 1/4, but the separator/dryer is 3/8. So you'll need these:
https://www.amazon.com/Vixen-Horns-Female-Reducer-Fitting/dp/B072WF12YJ/



And, because you don't want your threads to leak, you'll need PTFE tape. (you probably have some of this kicking around from some plumbing misadventure. Be sure to keep it out of the airlines, and on the threads only. 
https://www.amazon.com/Everflow-811-5-Thread-Plumbers-White/dp/B00538ITFW/





As for the filling yolk on the high-output side, I haven't the foggiest what the Shoebox comes with (it probably comes with a short hose and a Foster QD) but if you have a SCUBA tank you want to fill you'll probably need a filling yolk for that. 


I hope all that was helpful. I realize harbor freight can be "controversial" and I'm not making any statements explicitly for or against them, just trying to pick things convenient for you. :) 
 
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STO , 

Many Thanks for your supreme guidance !!

AL
Click to expand...

You're very welcome. Again please keep in mind that what I provided was just one way of doing things, and relied on Harbor Freight and minimizing cost to the greatest extent possible. You could ask ten people and get ten different answers. Pneumatics are like legos, once you get the basic understanding of how it all goes together you can build whatever you want in a bunch of different ways. 

As an aside, if you are an NY cop, please be kind to those of us from out of state who may be unaccustomed to some of your particular laws. Living in northern New England, and having to drive through "the gauntlet" (NY, MA, NJ, etc) to get anywhere, I live in terror of police who don't know Volker-McClure or accidentally stumbling into some other prohibition I'm unaware of. 
 
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I have a shoebox f10 its about 6 months old i use a normal compressor but i have a a triple filter between the compressor and the shoebox after the shoebox i have one of those cheap 20 filters from ebay. I fill my scba tank about twice a month every time before a start i have take the dessicant out of the dryer put it on a paper plate and put it in the micowave untill it turns blue let it cool down and put it back in the dryer i put an hour meter on it but each time i run it i put one drop of oil on the pads and wipe off the guide rods and put fresh white lithium grease and let it roll beats pumping for sure.
 
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Just my .02 cents. The Shoebox manufacturer has an oilless compressor warning to protect themselves from liability. If I already had an oil lubricated first stage compressor I would use it with a Shoebox. If you're not already doing so, just replace your first stage compressor's oil with high flash point synthetic oil sold for dive compressors. This is less expensive and just as safe as buying another compressor just to have an oilless first stage. Connect the first stage compressor with a 25' coiled hose and a quality rechargeable silica dessicant filter such as the Wilkerson X06-02-000. A Shoebox compresses a very small amount of air in its high pressure piston and dieseling in a Shoebox has never been reported. Dive compressors, Air Venturis, Hatsan Lightnings, and Yong Heng class compressors are all oil lubricated. They generate more heat and reach the same PSI output as a Shoebox. Minimal amounts of compressor oil passes through their compression stages. They have faster fill rates and compress more air at higher temperatures than a Shoebox. None of them have dieseling issues. I've owned a Shoebox Max and a Freedom 8. I sold and replace them because I prefer faster fills and less time connecting add ons for each session. 

If you are insistent on buying an oil free first stage compressor, be kind to your ears and buy a quiet one like the Fortress models sold by Harbor Freight. California Air Tools compressors and the Rolair JC-10 are also very quiet and use the same quiet pump design as the Harbor Freight Fortress models. The Shoebox F10 is extremely quiet running but most oilless pancake compressors paired with them are LOUD and annoying when they cycle on repeatedly during a fill.

Unless you live in a very humid region, you don’t really need a high pressure filter with a Shoebox. Use a quality desiccant filter on the input side. An output filter adds to the already slow fill time of the Shoebox. If you add up the cost of a decent first stage compressor, input dessicant/oil filters, plumbing, and high pressure output filters, you spent the cost of a Hatsan Lightning from Field Supply. They cost $1093 shipped and save time and eliminate all the extra accessories. Convenience and fill speed are worth the expense.

Shoeboxes were great in their day, but the advancing state of the art in new compressors has made them dinosaurs. An Altaros booster allows you to use an oil lubed compressor, but they are even slower filling than the Shoebox and consume most of your input compressor's air output to power them.
 
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I spent less than $50 for all my lines, filters, connectors, etc. 

The little gold high pressure filter in my pic ($20), and the fill assembly (basically everything past the shoebox) fills from 0-3000 psi in less than 20 seconds. Then I open the valve on my tanks and walk away. 

The Shoebox is about double the price of a Yong Heng or similar. You'll be able to EASILY find the Yong Hengs failure rate at more than double that of the Shoebox. 

Not wanting to start a debate, simply suggesting to do the research and buy what fit your budget and patience level best. I weighted not having to troubleshoot Yong Heng problems and parts availability over quick fills. Most it seems, rate price and quick fills as high priority, and go with the Yong Hengs.


 
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Have once looked at the Shoebox when I need a compressor to replace my hand pump. Unfortunately the maker of Shoebox told me that the compressor I have got does not have sufficient flow rate to feed the Shoebox so I gave up. Buying another compressor just for driving the Shoebox is hard to justify in my case. Finally settled on a Yong Heng and have been happy so far.
 
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I think your going to be quite satisfied with your Shoebox. I've had one for about 6 months now and it works great. One doesn't see many posts about something going wrong with their shoebox. Can't say that for all the new Chinese compressors coming out. I like the fact that I'll be able to "rebuild" it (really, just changing the o-rings) it when it needs it. 

Chas

PS - Humdinger, thanks again for your help with getting it set up and the Wilkerson advice. 
 
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The F10 like all the shoeboxes converts a certain amount of air that is provided by your oil-less shop compressor.

In the case of the F10 you input 125psi and the F10 puts out 4500psi.

It is slower than a dive shop but when you factor in your drive time...

The F10 is a real deal and is on sale at a very low price.

If you are veteran, they will take another $50.00 off.
Click to expand...

Quick question; who is they? I am looking at purchasing an F10 and contacted the folks who make the Shoebox today and was told they no longer offer Veterans discounts. Is there another seller that offers the discount?
 
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When I purchased my Shoebox , they were still offering the Veterans discount .

Perhaps it was due to Memorial day , not certain .

I would like to add that even at full price it's worth it . 

The name of the compressor was well chosen .

On my first and only fill at this point , I felt the "freedom" due to

1) Never having to ask my buddy to my tanks .

2) No longer do I have to wait 3-4 days to get my tanks back .

3) Not worrying about "will I have enough air to shoot all weekend"

Now my main issue is ... pellets . Now that I have an unlimited supply of air , I'm shooting so much more .

The total initial investment to get properly set up has run me a tad over a grand .

I didn't need to buy the bigger compressor it was close to $300 . Plus filters , fittings , hoses and desiccant .

So far I highly recommend purchasing one or at least something similar .



AL


 
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