My ShoeBox gets an UPGRADE!!

After hearing of a few people getting the Shoebox upgrade and being pleasantly surprised at how much quieter it was, I reviewed Tom Kaye's website (www.shoeboxcompressor.com) and read up on the "UPGRADE" parts.  Harder steel pistons and a belt drive system (quiet and low maintenance) sounds pretty good to me as BETTER is always a good thing especially when it comes to things such as high usage compressors.  So I ordered the belt drive system and the hardened steel pistons.

After my parts came in, I logged onto my computer and started reviewing Tom's DIY videos on the Shoebox website. I had easily memorized the whole process and decided to go down in the garage with new parts in hand and do the installation.  I also decided to video the process as, well, IT'S JUST WHAT I DO...lol.  It's also just to show how easy the upgrade is and its something I really had fun doing.  I love taking things apart and putting them back together especially if I'm making it BETTER....lol.

High and Low pressure Tool Steel Pistons:

Belt Drive system:

ShoeBox unit with new parts installed:

BEFORE INSTALLING PARTS ON THE SHOEBOX:
I can't stress enough (from all that I've learned of the shoebox unit) to watch Tom's DIY videos before any tear down (rebuild) or upgrade is done to your personal Shoebox.  The MAIN reason being is that the unit (shoebox) must go back together PRECISELY as to not cause leaks or brand new parts to be ruined or accelerated wear on parts or, the unit to not compress properly if at all into your SCBA/SCUBA tanks.  Upgrading/Rebuilding the Shoebox is not hard at all and it's fun, but, care must be given when tearing down and installing new parts.

The video:

My take:
I am very impressed with the upgrade parts AND the Shoebox.  I 1st must thank Tom Kaye for making the Shoebox.  It works, it's affordable, it's rebuildable, and it's compact and light.  It also gives the owner the freedom of NOT having to rely on a dive shop which can be far away and expensive (in more ways than one) and possibly not fill your tank full which I have experienced quite a few times.  The new belt drive system is waaaaayyyyyy more quiet than the chain drive and it's cleaner.  You don't have to worry about lubing a chain anymore and getting lube all over the units interior.  And the hardened pistons should provide a lot more life to the pistons which is a super PLUS.  Since the upgrade, the one thing I noticed is that when your shop compressor is ON and running, you CAN NOT HEAR the Shoebox running until the shop compressor turns off..........lol!  Wasn't that way with the chain drive unit installed.

FYI:  Just a little heads up.  If you decide to do the upgrade, while you have unit apart, NOW would be the time to do a rebuild on the cylinders (white o-rings and piston sleeves) if you've had some previous run time (a lot) on the unit.

Thanx for watching and STAY TUNED!
Tofazfou