Thread: Scored a 3gallon compressor for 40.00 with shipping, and a 10.5" air cylinder for 15

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got a 3 Gallon air compressor holds up to 115lbs of pressure, also scored a pneumatic air cylinder for 15.00 it has a 10.5" stroke i thought that was pretty good... My question is how do you think a 3gallon tank will hold up through halloween night running two pneumatic props... a monster in the box, and a pop up coffin

I ran a clock prop (4 inch cylinder), Coffin lunge (4 inch cylinder), Organ - 6 port valve bank (8-1 inch cylinders) and a blast of 60 psi open air off of something comparable because my big compressor broke so I would think that would be fine....Just make sure when you build the props to try it out before you need it...ZR

Thanks for the quick reply, i will definitely try this thing out as soon as it gets here

I seriously doubt it will keep up, it wil probably run all night long. A 3 gallon tank is extremely small and with a MIB if you are using 2 cylinders it will eat up a lot of air. What is the CFM rating of the compressor? Also what are the sizes of the cylinders you are using and the pressure you are going to use? These are all factors along with the weight of the props as to how much air you will need. Hopse this helps.........

For the MITB its one 10.50" cylinder opening and closing the top, not too much to lift but the top of the box, and most likely a prop inside of some sort, the second prop is a coffin riser, i haven't figgered out the size of the stroke, i considered using a screen door closer, but many people say not to. the CFM i cant really remember... i do know its highest pressure is 115 but not how quick it can refill, i don't live in a too populated area, maybe 40 TOTr's that night. i got a good deal from a liquidator though... i payed seriously like 40.00 thats pretty cheap for a compressor

Air delivery: 0.6 CFM at 90 PSI; 1.0 CFM at 40 PSI

As a word of caution, DON'T use the screen door closer ,bicycle pumps, PVC and all the other things that are MISSUSED for pneumatic applications they are not designed for that purpose. It sounds like that you might be able to do what you want as long as your not firing the props all night. BTW nice score..I've been looking for one of those compressors for awhile to do some af the smaller projects I am currently working on for work!!

Thanks for redirecting me into the safer path, all of these you tube videos and tutorials had me convinced to use PVC sprinkler valves and screen door openers, I'm surprised i got the compressor for the price that i did, technically i had purchased it for 21.00 but shipping is something truly to be afraid of as a yard haunter, ha at 20.00... I wanted to get a 55 Gallon drum too but the shipping was like 80.00 but the barrel was 1.00 i wish i could teleport to places ha ha save me so much money

If you are intersed in getting into pneumatics and are not sure of what you're getting into I suggest reading this Beginner's Guide to Props and Pneumatics I work in an indusrial environment that uses a lot of pneumatics and refer to this as a reference. It is a very easy read and explains things very well. As for the PVC applications ,if you look at the side of the pipe ,you will see a manufacturers name , call or e-mail them and ask about using air in their product.I was injured by a PVC pipe exploding under 20 psi, Just my thoughts................

ill take your word on the PVC deal, working with pyrotechnics i learned that PVC is not strong, had a rocket motor blow up on me.. anyway i really appreciate that link, im going to have to check it out, i got the basics down. its the prop-1 and some of these circuit board programmable controllers that i am clueless about... I really want to get into controllers other than expensive ones like the boo box or Nerve center, at 100.00 its not quite the cheapest for a teenager like me . This is gonna be my first year working with pneumatics, and i want to make sure i get it right so i don't ruin anything (including my hands). Me and my mother actually want to start a big year round professional haunt after i get out of the air force. I even know where i want to set up the building, preferably in circleville Ohio, near the pumpkin festival.