here's an instructable how to make a small air pressure tank for lego out of an empty lighter
I decided to make it because I couldn't find an original tank from lego
I know it's rather small but if you want to you can link more together to get more volume
I made this tank without using any glue because I wanted to be able to reuse every part.
also there is no danger of explosions if u use an empty lighter please make sure he is realy empty you can lay him outside for a day with something around the valve to make sure he is empty
I'm also sorry if my language isn't so good
I'm from belgium so sorry if i write some mistakes
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Step 1: Getting the Materials
what you'll need is:
an empty lighter, I took an ajustable lighter so the system takes out easy
a piece of lego pneumatic plastic tube
and a small piece of rubber tube from lego
you'll also need a drill to cut a hole in the system it will be explained later
underneath you'll find some picture's of all you need
Step 2: Emptying the Lighter
if you havent done this allready you can do it now.
get all the stuff out of the lighter without distroing the gaschamber
Step 3: Placing the Tubes
as the name says you'll need to place the tubes in the lighter
place it in the hole and thest first if it is air tight there for is the rubber piece
Step 4: Drill the Hole
for this step you'll need the drill
I used a drill of 4mm because the lego tube is around the 3,5mm
so now you drill the piece that was used to control the height of the flame
you'll just need to enlarge the hole because you took the brass pieces out of it
if you didn't do this, DO IT
Step 5: Secure the Tube
here you use the piece you just drilled to secure the tube
you'll need to place it over the tube and screw it in the lighter
DON'T SCREW IT TO HARD, just stop when you feel you realy compressed the rubber
use the piece of the lighter with the handle where you adjusted the flame with
Step 6: It's Finished
now you can use your tank
just connect with your pneumatic with a T-piece
now the fun can begin
13 Discussions
8 years ago on Introduction
Nice job, but why do you refer to the lighter as "He" ?
9 years ago on Step 6
can it be under lots of pressure??? THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!
Reply 9 years ago on Step 6
I don't really know if it can hold a lot of pressure, I've never tested it under high pressure. But I guess it can take some pressure. It definitly works fine with lego pneumatic.
9 years ago on Introduction
how does a lego set involve a gas tank? to make it move pneumatically or to make it explode? pls reply
10 years ago on Introduction
but can you re pressurize the lighter when it completely runs out?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
the lighter is already empty, and can't burn anymore. you just use it as a refillable airchamber. just pump air in it with the pressurepump, and use the stored air for moving a pneumatic cilinder without pumping..
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
oh, and do you think a bicycle pump would work?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
It surely works, you'll fill it quicker than with the lego pump..
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
ty, i meant could you pressurize it with air when the psi was to low to do anything, but i guess i was unclear.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
At how much PSI? I don't want an exploding lighter...
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I just use it for lego, the pressure on that isn't that high that it can explode You can test it if u want..
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
ok...
10 years ago on Introduction
Another good tank is a spent CO2 cartridge with the top threaded and a brass needle valve screwed into it. Nice Instructable.