PVC cylinders

bfjou812 · #1 08-24-2008

I was reading through the pneumatics section and was amazed at the amount of people that want to make their own cylinders out of PVC. I can tell you from personal experience that WHEN the PVC explodes under pressure that it will hurt you . I was lucky enough not to lose the little finger on my right hand due to this. The PVC pipe was under 30 P.S.I. when it exploded, it cut the tendons, muscle, and nerve in the little finger of my right hand, it almost cut it all the way off. So I would like to say that under no circumstances should you use PVC for anything that has to do with air pressure. It is just not worth it.

dynoflyer · #2 08-25-2008

Thanks for the warning, bfjou812.

Maybe this message should be a sticky under pneumatics.

The_Caretaker · #3 08-25-2008

If you had pictures that would really drive the point home

Lotus · #4 08-25-2008

This is really important for all of us to not use pvc as an air ram

Gory Corey · #5 08-25-2008

Been espousing the detriments of using PVC for pneumatics for years, thank you for echoing he importance of not using this unsafe material for air effects.

I fortunately did not get injured, but had a test vessel designed for 240 PSI liquid pressure explode at 45 PSI of air pressure. Scared the crap right out of me. Drove pieces of clear PVC through 2" of oak, shattered windows, left shrapnel in plaster, terra-cotta, brick and STEEL.

Imagine if a PCV effect failed when you have guests!, if they are injured be assured you you will lose everything, regardless if you are insured.

Liam · #6 08-25-2008

Another point that scares the hell out of me about PVC is this. If a PVC device were to shatter and send pieces into your body, the only way to extract them is for the surgeon/doctor to go digging around. Since it's plastic, it will not show up in an x-ray. Nasty at best.

Dr Morbius · #7 08-26-2008

P.V.C.
Potentially
Violent
Cylinders

Gosh I'm so clever...I'm gonna reward myself with a bowl of oatmeal...MMmmmmm..oaty.

bfjou812 · #8 08-30-2008

Liam, that is pretty much what happened to me . After they dug all the crap out I was told to wait for about 4- 10 days to do surgery to put everything back together. THAT SUCKED!!!!!!! There was also some other damage done , but not that bad.

poison · #9 08-30-2008

Same goes for using SCREEN DOOR OPENERS FOR CYLINDERS.
Not worth the time it takes to convert it to a working cylinder and NOT SAFE!

bfjou812 · #10 08-31-2008

Well if you get right down to it using washing machine valves, sprinkler valves ,etc. anything that is not designed for a pnuematic application is not really a wise way to go. Sure it is cheaper, but what is the cost of being safe? I'm not trying to preach, just sharing an experience that I had with PVC so hopefully no one would have it happen t othem.