Pump problems.

[warhead052]

I am having a problem with my pump head sealing and compressing the air. I dunno why its not working, because the O-rings are a nice fit, and I can move the pump up and down. I am just plugging one side with my thumb for now until I can get it to compress, but its not doing that. I made two different heads, one is a wooden piston, another is a CPVC piston. I will attach some pictures, and if you can help please comment.

View of the wooden piston fitting into the cylinder.



CPVC piston. The O-rings aren't actually that bad, just the angle I took the picture...



And the wooden piston.



Thanks for the help.

[Lockednloaded]

Wood isn't exactly the best component for something you want to hold air. It's pretty obvious that any air you may be compressing coming straight through your pump head

[JDP12]

ditto on the above.. wood is not a good idea. also... even if it is the angle of the picture.. despite that.. your o-rings look extremely jank. The one surrounded by JBWeld looks very cracked and dried out.. I'd replace it.

[Gun Freak]

Make a pump head like my bolt/washer pistons.

[wyz2285]

Make a pump head like my bolt/washer pistons.

I agree, did that with my homemade HP pump, worked really well(1000 psi!)
Just remember to epoxy the washers/bolts or the air will leak from there.

[warhead052]

Gun Freak, I would if lowes or home depot carried washers to fit this!

JDP, Locked, the oring really isn't dried out. I swear. I have seen wood used before as a piston too, I will try and find the thread for it.

[wyz2285]

Oh come on, are you one of these guy who only knows to buy? There isn't many already made - functional parts to buy. My washers did fit, so I put them on a screw and tied them with bolts, then put the screw on a drill and start file/sand until they fit.

[warhead052]

No, how do you think I made the wooden piston? I need to find washers that fit the rod without being far too small, or wayyyy too big.

[wyz2285]

Dremel with a metal cutting blade is also great for standing, or you can cut the washer to a semi circle with the diameter close to the tube, then sand it to a perfect circle.

[Gun Freak]

Warhead, send me some bank and I'll send you some parts

[warhead052]

Check inbox Gun freak.

[MrCrowley]

Aren't you supposed to have a floating o-ring or some other design that lets air pass on the return stroke?

[Gippeto]

Aren't you supposed to have a floating o-ring or some other design that lets air pass on the return stroke?

Ya know....that just might work!


This works rather well.

[warhead052]

Crowley, probably. I know, but I did it with a cpvc tube and a non attached oring and it compressed air. So I don't understand why this isn't work.

[MrCrowley]

Well without a floating o-ring, or a design like Gippeto's, it will compress air but it wont draw in any new air when you pull the pump up; you will just create a small vacuum and when you push the pump down again nothing will happen (no air will be compressed).