14 replies to this topic

[shandsgator8]

I'm looking to replace some Big Blasts and Ultimate Missile Blasts with forward placed bike pumps. However, knowing how abusive I am to my pumps in the middle of a skirmish, I was wondering if there were any recommendations as to durable bike pumps. I currently plan on using the $8 Schwinn (that I see many people using), but knowing how difficult pumps are to remove once installed, I would prefer to spend more now and hopefully find a bike pump that lasts (and not have to tear up the blaster later should something break). Any thoughts?

[karukiiz]

For my berserker I use a Spalding Championship pump. You can get a 12" one here:
http://www.amazon.co...09272043&sr=8-1
Or an 8" one here:
http://www.amazon.co...09272231&sr=8-7
They're pretty durable, and move a lot of air. I just used epoxy putty, and it's never broken/fallen off. You can also get them cheap at Wal-Mart in the sporting goods section.

Edit: I just noticed you said "forward facing" bike pump. You can do that with these too, but you'll need vinyl tubing.

Edited by karukiiz, 28 June 2011 - 09:48 AM.

[LT DAN ICE CREAM]

In two of my recent builds, I've used a Bell dual action bike pump. TRU has them, they're relatively cheap, and they work great.

http://www.toysrus.c...oductId=4452553

[Buffdaddy]

I support LT. DAN's suggestion. Also, you can get them at Walmart for $10 easy, AND they fit very snugly into 3/4" PVC couplers/fittings. Good for homemades as well as stock blaster modification.

[shandsgator8]

Thanks for the input guys. Do you guys treat these pumps roughly and they still last? When using stock pumps in an Ultimate Missile Blast, I pump so furiously that I absolutely destroy unmodified pumps (I either pull them straight out of the shell or the handle breaks off). I need a pump to be able to handle this type of abuse.

[Curly]

You could always make some kind of mounting system so you can take the pump off when it breaks. While OD varies from pump to pump, a tee with a slot cut in the top lets you put the pump in it with the pump shaft, so it's secure. You can then epoxy the Tee to a blaster and run the proper tubing to it. I'm pretty sure BuffDaddy's homemade does that.

Bike pumps are much more durable than stock pumps because they have a more difficult purpose. Any name brand should do.

[LT DAN ICE CREAM]

I beat the ever-loving piss out of my pumps, and they still work great.

[Draconis]

One thing you gents are missing is the comparison of internal pump tube diameters. To be perfectly honest, ball pumps, as suggested in the second post are going to be much more difficult to pump at higher pressures. Bike frame pumps are likely to be much better suited to use at the 30-40psi that we run many blasters at, due to their design for use at the typical 40-60PSI of bicycle tires. The plastic housing units will be less expensive, the the metal housing units, such as the suggested Bell unit (I also like these, and have used a few) will survive much more abuse. The only problem with the metal pumps I have found is that they tend to be molded together such that if you develop a problem with the shaft seal, you are unlikely to be able to disassemble, repair, and reassemble.

[MavericK96]

I use this one on my sprinkler valve shotgun attachment thing:

http://www.amazon.co...duct/B000FI6XGC

Works great, is very light and compact, and does up to 160 PSI. Build quality feels very sturdy, too.

EDIT: Here's a picture of it next to a sprinkler valve (the PVC tank is 1" PVC)

Edited by MavericK96, 28 June 2011 - 02:05 PM.

[shandsgator8]

One thing you gents are missing is the comparison of internal pump tube diameters. To be perfectly honest, ball pumps, as suggested in the second post are going to be much more difficult to pump at higher pressures. Bike frame pumps are likely to be much better suited to use at the 30-40psi that we run many blasters at, due to their design for use at the typical 40-60PSI of bicycle tires. The plastic housing units will be less expensive, the the metal housing units, such as the suggested Bell unit (I also like these, and have used a few) will survive much more abuse. The only problem with the metal pumps I have found is that they tend to be molded together such that if you develop a problem with the shaft seal, you are unlikely to be able to disassemble, repair, and reassemble.

Hmmmm, good point.

I beat the ever-loving piss out of my pumps, and they still work great.

Good to know. I may pick up one of those Bell pumps and try them out.

[shandsgator8]

You could always make some kind of mounting system so you can take the pump off when it breaks. While OD varies from pump to pump, a tee with a slot cut in the top lets you put the pump in it with the pump shaft, so it's secure. You can then epoxy the Tee to a blaster and run the proper tubing to it. I'm pretty sure BuffDaddy's homemade does that.

Bike pumps are much more durable than stock pumps because they have a more difficult purpose. Any name brand should do.

I am doing this with the Ultimate Missile Blast, but it will still be annoying to have to replace a broken/busted pump. Also, I really like how clean most people install their pumps into the Big Blast and having the removable feature will not be easy given how securely the pump will need to be installed in the Big Blast shell. Heck, I already broke off the head of the pump with the plastic Schwinn and I was just messing around with it. I have since reinforced it, but it did make me wonder.

[Daniel Beaver]

All the cheap shit K-Mart bike pumps I have used are still in service, one of which has about a year and a half under it's belt. The pump will probably be the most durable part of your blaster.

[T3K]

Blackburn makes the best pump ever. The Mountain Air III is amazing. You can also replace the seal if needed. It breaks down a ton, and can build a ton of pressure quick.

[Ivan S]

For my berserker I use a Spalding Championship pump. You can get a 12" one here:
http://www.amazon.co...09272043&sr=8-1
Or an 8" one here:
http://www.amazon.co...09272231&sr=8-7
They're pretty durable, and move a lot of air. I just used epoxy putty, and it's never broken/fallen off. You can also get them cheap at Wal-Mart in the sporting goods section.

Edit: I just noticed you said "forward facing" bike pump. You can do that with these too, but you'll need vinyl tubing.

Do you need to add a check valve to this type of pump? I've noticed 3DBBQ uses similar pumps, and all of his have external check valves.

I support LT. DAN's suggestion. Also, you can get them at Walmart for $10 easy, AND they fit very snugly into 3/4" PVC couplers/fittings. Good for homemades as well as stock blaster modification.

How do you fit that pump into a coupler if each end is larger than the shaft? does it involve removing/disassembling one end?

Edited by Ivan S, 01 July 2011 - 03:06 PM.

[thedom21]

If you are doing this with a UMB then you should do what Ahtanie did. I did and it works beautifully.You can use the schwinn frame pump that is plastic and black or any frame pump that comes with the mount. (which should be all frame pumps)
http://www.youtube.c.../18/zCRaU-We3dU

Edited by thedom21, 01 July 2011 - 03:10 PM.