Thread: Home Made Pistons

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Originally Posted by indianaholmes

Well done. I made similar cylinders from copper tubing about 5 years ago. They still work flawlessly in my Mailbox Trauma. Each had return springs because they are mounted horizontally. They each had different spring rates because I needed the door to open first and then close last. Here's a video of it in action;

Here's a picture of the back insides of the colomb that the mail box is mounted in. The big cylinder is visable;

More pics in photobucket.

Very Nice, I like....

PHD....how is the air exhausted from the cylinder? I can't quite tell from the pictures.

Thanks....

Say, that is really cool. What about using screen door cylinders instead? They are about $10 at the local hardware store and last a few years.

screen door cylinders have been uised for years on air pneumatics for Halloween props . Works good , as long as you don't over do the pressure .

Screen door closers are a cheap cylinder choice, but if you need a different size, this is an alternative that is much safer than a PVC cylinder. It worked well for me when I couldn't find the cylinder I needed on ebay and is a lot cheaper than buying from Bimba or another manufacturer.

Has anyone tried making these pistons out of PVC ?
Just wondering if it will work.

oops didn`t see post just above mine about PVC

Originally Posted by Cadaverlicious

Has anyone tried making these pistons out of PVC ?
Just wondering if it will work.

oops didn`t see post just above mine about PVC

Yes many have and don't do it they go boom and hard plastic shrads go flying everywhere!eyes,windows,TOTs.

Originally Posted by daddywoofdawg@hotmail.com

Yes many have and don't do it they go boom and hard plastic shrads go flying everywhere!eyes,windows,TOTs.

I can see how that might happen.

What about schedule 40 CPVC ?