make your own pump for about $20.00

Has anyone ever tried making their own cylinder?

b1nzen48,

do you have some pictures of your homemade pump that you could post? I think I understood the instructions, but as you know, a picture tells more than a thousand words… ;-)

/sizemoore

Sizemoore, I would like nothing more than to be able to attach some pics but I don’t have a digicam and my computer doesn’t have a port for a scanner (it’s that old!!!) Generally speaking, the end result you want is to attach the caulking tube nozzle which should represent a flat bottom funnel to the suction end of the balloon pump; just make sure the balloon pump you buy is about 1/4” larger in diameter than the caulking tube. Also, since the original post I came up with a more efficient and comfortable seal. I had some 1/4” plexiglass so I did the following… 1st.- cut a square of plexi so you can cut out a round disc about 11/2” larger than the cylinder dia. 2nd- mark the square from corner to corner both ways so you find center.3rd- using dividers so it will scribe the plexi lay out your circle so it is 11/2” larger than thedia. of the cylinder. 4th- lay out a circle that is the same dia. as the cylinder. 5th- bore out the center undersize at first, then drum sand so that you have a tight slip fit over the o.d. of the cylinder( make sure it is tight since it is glued to the cylinder with super glue). 6th- cut and sand the outside dia. of the plexi donut and glue it to the cylinder,(assemble the donut and cylinder then run a bead of superglue around the connection, the glue will wick into the joint). Finally, take a piece of the garden kneeling pad, cut a piece the same as the plexi donut and glue it to the plexi using contact cement. In essence what you are doing is making a flat flange around the outside of the cylinder. This is a much more comfortable seal, and it should last for the life of the cylinder. If you dont have a piece of plexiglass try Secjay’s solution;… using a piece of pvc, cut through one side, boil it until it is soft, lay it out flat till it cools, then make the flange as I described above. If you have any other ?’s or problems PM me on this board and I will try to get you on track. Also, if you want you can PM bronxdad, He’s made one of these pumps too. Good luck and PM back to me to let me know how you make out.

b1nzen48,

thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear about your crappy computer, but look at it this way: The bucks you save by making your own pump could be put in the brandnewcomputeranddigitalcamera-fund. ;-)

I don´t really have the privacy to neither make a pump, nor do any pumping at the moment - I was just planning for the future, so to speak - but I was pretty thrilled by the fact that you could make a good pump from pet shop equipment. I just hope I can keep a straight face when buying the stuff, I mean, what do you say when the girl behind the counter asks me what kind of fish I have? “A really big one, honey. And it is still growing.” :-)

/sizemoore

Maybe you could just tell her you’re honing your skills as an “eel” farmer, ” I’m training it to be a better performer”… hehehe.

Could you please post a pic of the finished pump?

Gardenier, No. Please take some time and readback a couple of posts. This question has already been addressed.

b1nzen48

I bought a gravel cleaner recently,has lid on which takes air hose.Do I buy a single aquarium airline valve?(from pet shop?) and place in air tube then pump(still to get)?Cant understand why you also have chalking gun thing ,whats it for?hows it work?Sorry about being so dumb!

How ya doin’ Chrisco? When you got your gravel cleaner it should have come with a suction line that attatches to the nipple on the endcap of the tube which is usually 1/2” I.D. The caulking tube nozzle is what will provide the suction tube connection to the balloon pump. When you get your single air line valve get some of the aquarium airline as well. What you have to do is in the endcap of the gravel tube next to the suction tube nipple is drill a hole the SAME SIZE as the aquarium airline. Next, cut the airline to whatever length you want, insert it into the hole and secure it in place on both the inside and outside with some epoxy…you should be able to pop off the endcap to allow easy access. Then all you do is connect the airline valve and your all set. If you need anymore help just post back. If you can, after you make your pump could you post a pic? I don’t have that capability and a lot of guys want to see one of these pumps. I’m also going to PM a couple of the other guys and see if they can post a pic also.

GUYS… ANYONE READING THIS THREAD PLEASE!!!… STOP ASKING ME TO POST PICS! I CAN’T! I DON’T HAVE THE CAPABILITY! ANYONE THAT HAS MADE THEIR PUMP FROM THIS THREAD PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST A PIC OF YOUR CREATION IF YOU CAN!! YOU WON’T HURT MY FEELINGS AND IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE SOME VARIATIONS ON THE OVERALL DESIGN!! HELP ME OUT PLEASE,… I’M GETTING TIRED OF EVERYONE ASKING FOR PICS. BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP BUILDING YOUR PUMP, I AM ALWAYS HERE TO LEND A HAND AND TRY TO CLARIFY WHAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND.

b1nzen48,

Please post in a reasonable manner. All Caps is a no-no.

Hmmmm…..and a MityVac 07000???

I’m getting real close to giving it a try. :)

I’m mostly curious about how it feels - but the thought of shelling out $300 or more for Kaplan’s systems would chill my curiosity somewhat. Considering the above, however, I’m sure I could put a damn good unit together for about $50 - not bad at all.

I wouldn’t pump instead of PE - but in addition to it. Nor would I want a wide tube, as I’m happy with my girth and only want length.

Is it true that wrapping before entering the tube will help with that?

>Hmmmm…..and a MityVac 07000???

I realize those of us who don’t bother with pumps are a minority within a minority here, but you really do not need a pump. I’d like to have one for bleeding my brakes, but not for my dick.

However, a good vacuum gauge is needed, at least until you’ve acquired the experience to pump by feel (I haven’t). For $30 or whatever a Mityvac costs, you can buy a better quality gauge than comes on the pumps.

> Considering the above, however, I’m sure I could put a damn good unit together for about $50

More like $15 plus a gauge.

I have made a pump from a glass orange juice bottle. It is 1 liter and 8.5” long with a 1 3/4” internal diameter. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the bottle and stuck a rubber tube in. I just suck on it as much as I can then fold the tube over and plug it with a pencil.

Sorry I meant I made a cylinder (not pump) from the bottle. Obviously I do not pack the bottle (yet!), is this o.k.? I only use pretty light vacuum in between manual stretches.