Thread: Compressor Question

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It never ceases to amaze me why people with such talent,creative minds and the intelligence will resort to using parts that are not made for a particular application. Door closers , bike pumps,pvc , etc. are not made for use with air pressure. They are just an accident waiting to happen. There is a very good tutorial on pnuematics here in the tutorial section on the basics of pnuematics. It is very easy to understand and very informative. Using parts in a pneumatic application that are not designed for it is just asking for trouble. I have had expeirence with pneumatic systems and have been injured by an improperly designed system, so I do have some knowledge and not trying to berate anyone. Just my 2 cents worth.

I have to agree. I would never use anything except an air cylinder for an air cylinder.
Used air cylinders can be had if you look on e-bay. Or buy new from Grainger.
You don't need much of a bore to do most props. they are a little pricey new, but thats because they are safe under pressure.
Pete

Originally Posted by captpete

I have to agree. I would never use anything except an air cylinder for an air cylinder.
Used air cylinders can be had if you look on e-bay. Or buy new from Grainger.
You don't need much of a bore to do most props. they are a little pricey new, but thats because they are safe under pressure.
Pete

Pete, I agree completely. ebay does allow one (if one is patient and vigilant) to find any cylinder needed for pennies on the dollar. There is no reason to use anything else.

IB

I run our haunt with a vertical compressor, with a good size tank. I have not tried door closer cylinders. I don't like the fact of using them for something other than they were designed for. Always keep safety in mind when dealing with the public and your family. We use Bimba and other brands. My largest is a 2" diamater with 20" stroke. I got a GREAT deal on this off Ebay.

I also place some storage tanks at the farthest point from the compressor or the prop that uses the most air.

I'm using a twin tank, 5 gallon compressor capable of delivering up to 90psi (which i may never need) Yes it does run on when the pressure drops and on Halloween i will hide it in an area where it can't be heard running. I agree with the others in getting a compressor with a large capacity tank and a good solid compressor mechanism (cast iron if feasable). I am currently experimenting with my first pneumatic prop for 2010 and, so far i have had a ton of success learning as i go.....in a lot of ways it's not as hard as one thinks if you think things through logically. To those who are trying to use "door closers" as pneumatic devices....PLEASE DON'T, you really could harm yourself or someone else. Cylinders are not that hard to come by (see my posting about places to buy pneumatic parts in Canada for example) EbaY is a great source for cylinders and solenoids as well. Some items will cost you but in the end, you'll be alive and in one complete piece.

I found reasonable cylinders direct from clippard. Also as far as compsessors I put 5 gallon expansion tanks near my props to reduce compressor run time.

One thing you need to remember is volume...........

If you don't have enough CFM, Cubic Feet per Minute, of air you will over work your compressor. And the props may not work properly. It is very important to factor the total volume of all props when planning a pneumatic system.

I run 2 air props at the end of a 50' hose with a $40 5 gallon air compressor. 2 tricks -
(1) Put a regulator on your prop. This allows you to run a high PSI line out from your compressor to your prop, but reduces the air line pressure to what's required to run your prop.
(2) Put an air resevoir on your prop. I used a depleted butane torch tank. I drilled out the neck and fit it with a 1/8" pipe. Screw the tank into a T fitting close to the prop, upstream from the regulator. When the prop runs, the pressurized tank will supply an immediate burst of air.

I've used this technique for years and my little air compressor has no problem keeping up!

What are the best cylinders to use for air props? I'm also thinking about doing a couple air props this year and would like to new the best but inexpensize types of cylinders including bore size and anything else that could be of help.

Depends on what you want to do, of course! I generally agree with other postings here to stay away from PVC "homemade" cylinders. Just not reliable enough with the little TOT's running around.

1 way cylinders are less expensive. Air is introduced at the "expand" side. Air is then allowed to escape, reducing pressure and the cylinder collapses.

2 way cylinders port compressed air to both the expand and collapse sides, giving you a faster acting cylinder. You are also better able to control what the cylinder does.

Both kinds are readily available on eBay.

For some really good information on haunting with compressed air, go to
HauntMaven.com - Wolfstone's Haunted Halloween Site

Good luck!