how do i do this?

[RB]

Got a vexing problem I'm looking for a solution to.

Got a '70 vintage portable air compressor. Nice unit. Good sized tank, and a roll-around. The compressor pump broke a crank recently. It's an old Campbell Hausfeld. They no longer have parts support for it.

I don't want to just toss out the whole thing because of a bad pump. So, the thing to do is to replace the pump---but inexpensively----because I can buy a new, similar complete unit today for approx $125.

I'm not having any luck finding a replacement air pump in the $35-$45 price range (and yes, I've been haunting Ebay looking for one).

Anyway, I vaguely recall hearing about people who've converted auto a/c units for this use. However, I don't know what it entails, or how well those work out.

If anyone knows of an online guidance source for doing one of these conversions, would sure appreciate it if you'd pass it along.

[HotRod]

My grandfather actually used an old engine, I believe it was a two stroke engine with a nice motor. If I remember correctly the compression was done on the exhaust stroke. Nothing fancy there. Actually he may have just added a pip from the spark plug hole. Can anyone help?

[James "Cubby" Culbertson]

What you can do is use a York air compressor that was used in a large number of vehicles. Here's a site that gives some details.

Scroll down and look at the Identification and Acquisition pages. Another source if you prefer not to dig around a junk yard would be . These pages are devoted to installing these on Jeeps but if you have a motor and a belt, they'll work just fine. I'd highly recommend you look for the largest version for your application. I've installed one on my Jeep and it works wonders for me on the trail (and off for that matter). You could also look for one of the new compressors made by Sanden but they need an oiler to keep them running. And yet another option, I believe the Dodge trucks use a twin piston compressor for their AC's. This might even be a better option for you. You'll have to do some research on that one though as I discounted it right off given limited space under my hood! Cheers, cc

[RB]

I'm trying to build an antenna with a base section of pvc. I can use from

1/2" od to 1" od with no problems.

What I need to do is join a schedule 40 pvc nipple to a male 1"x14 threaded stud.

I don't believe any std pipe thread and size will match up with that.

If it won't, I thought about using 3/4" pvc and running a tap into the open end, and then screwing that down onto the male mounting stud (the 1" x 14).

Is a 1"x14 tap fairly common? Will my way work?

Anyone have an easier way?

[Bennett Price]

Could you use a male iron pipe nipple and pvc threaded female?

Appropriate 1" x14 tap readily available ($25) at, e.g.,

but I wonder whether you'll have enough thickness of pvc to withstand wind load/weight of antenna.

Is the antenna to be made of plastic, not metal? Must be metal.

RB wrote:

[RB]

Good question. But, no. I am stuck with having to use the poly 1"x14 threaded stud. It's an integral part of a tilting base assy I need in order for the antenna to be able to be laid down on occasion.

[PipeDown]

Use a PVC cap (male or female your choice) drill a hole to fit the threaded stud (bolt) and then use an appropriate washers and nut on the other side to secure it to the PVC cap. Now glue the cap onto the PVC pipe.

To make it more secure, fill the section with epoxy and reinforce as required.

[Goedjn]

How long is this stud? Can't you just use a hose-clamp? It's not like a PVC pipe is going to take any significant torque, anyway.

[RB]

Thanks, Pipedown. I can work with that approach.

For Goedjin: not sure I follow. Are you thinking slip a 1" pvc mast down over the stud and then put a hose clamp around it? If so, that wouldn't work for my application.

[Goedjn]

I was actually thinking stick the pipe down NEXT to the stud, and hose-clamp it. But I like the pipe-cap, washer, and nut idea better. Or you could build a bracket out of strap-iron.

[gfretwell]

Weld a 1x14 nut on a NPT metal threaded coupler and use a PVC male adapter

[RB]

Thanks for all the ideas.