My Shoebox F10 stopped working.....

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ctshooter

ctshooter

Member
Oct 30, 2018
4,432
2,609
CT, United States
......and it took me longer to find the o-ring rebuild kits than it did to fix it. 

Seriously, it took me about an hour to find the rebuild kit and about 20 minutes to rebuild the high side cylinder. She's purring away now.

I'll admit that I have taken the Shoebox amazing rock solid construction for granted and didn't add silicone oil to the pads for almost 50 hours. And this was on a rebuild going back well over a year that I had added oil to the pads every 20 or so hours. I would say this set of o-rings had about 300 hours on them. 

What I noticed was that suddenly it would build to about 1500 psi and then just kinda puff air with the gauge bouncing around. I had a feeling about it and thought it would likely be a high side cylinder issue. After stripping it down it was the o-ring on the high side cylinder check valve that had broken. Since I had it apart I did a full o-ring rebuild on the high side cylinder and that was all it took.

Eventually I will own an Alkin W31 vertical, but for now this $600 wonder does the job just fine. I just wish Shoebox had been able to stay viable with the cheap Chinese compressor market stealing the business.


 
At least you were able to fix it once you found the issue. I added a hour meter to mine on the motor so I can keep track of oiling. I think I oil the pads too much. I add a couple drops of silicone to the pads ever 2-3 hours to make sure its stays moist and then I add white lithium grease to the pistons. 



When I first got mine, used, I found tiny pieces of the felt on the aluminum walls of the case. So I wanted to make sure I took good care of it. 



Do you keep track of the exact hours / how many fills you do? 
 
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At least you were able to fix it once you found the issue. I added a hour meter to mine on the motor so I can keep track of oiling. I think I oil the pads too much. I add a couple drops of silicone to the pads ever 2-3 hours to make sure its stays moist and then I add white lithium grease to the pistons. 



When I first got mine, used, I found tiny pieces of the felt on the aluminum walls of the case. So I wanted to make sure I took good care of it. 



Do you keep track of the exact hours / how many fills you do?
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I am probably guilty of over-lubing too, and my regimen is exactly like yours: reoil the felts every couple of hours of run time, and white lithium grease on the pistons (and I try to keep the white lithium near that support column that they run through. 

So far I'm at 42hrs. This Fall will be two years that I've had mine, and so far haven't needed a rebuild. (I did blow a fuse by trying to turn it back on under pressure one time, but that was easily remedied).

I topped my tanks off night before last. Just turned it on when I got home from work and let it run while I had dinner, mowed the lawn, etc. Checked on it every 15 or 20 minutes and it just did what it does. Gauge on the 87CF SCBA goes up about 100 psi every 10 minutes. I was down around 3100psi and fill to 4300 so it took about 2hrs. Gave it a 30 min break/cool off at the midway point. 

I keep a log book in a little pocket notebook where the Shoebox lives. I write down the date, starting and ending psi, which tank I'm filling, and start and end times. And then keep a running total for the hours.

Pretty sweet little compressors. Just about perfect for supplying a single, or perhaps a couple of shooters with a dependable source of compressed air. 
 
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My brother asked me in Feb. Mar. which compressor would be my choice if money wasn't a problem and I said Shoebox F10. A bit over 500, dependable,built like a tank and easy to repair if there is a problem. Well last month he gives me a new F10 for my birthday (for this year and next year ). AFTER the price hike. I couldn't believe it, I'm still thanking him each time I see him or talk to him on the phone. He gets such a big kick knowing how much it means. Still tweeking the adjustable pressure screw to get it set where I want it. I've run it about an hour or so so far. Expecting years of service with minimal repairs. It came with everything I would need for two or three rebuilds. From the sound of all the testimonials, I have air for life. Again THANK YOU big brother!!!!!!!
 
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Hope all of you are doing well in the midst of these crazy times. I also have a Shoebox F10, and I am very happy with it. It's definitely not for the airgunner in a hurry, but it can't be beat for simplicity, reliability, low noise level, and convenience of use. I keep the silicone oil and white lithium grease next to my Shoebox, and I try not to overdo it with the lube. The only thing I changed on mine is that I added some vent holes on the right side of the cover panel to allow more air flow over the pistons. I think it's awesome that there are so many options for us today when it comes to air compressors, so that everyone can find the one that's right for them.

Shoot straight, tell the truth, and be kind to one another!

James
 
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I purchased a few extra rebuilt kits, including bushings and a spare belt just incase. I really enjoy having my own fill station at home. It's just makes shooting pcp so much more easy than pumping which I have tried and gets old fast. 



I have a guppy that I fill. I top off my guns whenever I need, it's more than enough air. When I run the tank down. I let the shoebox run for an hour and back to business.



Makes it a joy to shoot pcp. 
 
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My F8 is going on 300 hours with no rebuilds. Still goes to 4500psi no problem. Only repair has been a new drive belt and one brass bushing on the drive arm. I run the compressor in a safe place under my work bench with the cover off so I can put silicone oil on the felts often.
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how long have you had the F8? 300 hours is a good amount of time!
 
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