TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Mar 05, 2025 11:45 am

l'm not sure this is a luxury tool, but a pretty simple version.
l found while trying to figure how to make the smoke more visible.
thankfully l have a proper machine, as l hate the smell of cigars.

Wed Mar 05, 2025 3:57 pm

https://steelmantools.com/products/30-degree-offse...&gQT=1

Found one on a bike ride, also works great for electrical connectors

Wed Mar 05, 2025 4:24 pm

markswagen wrote: l'm not sure this is a luxury tool, but a pretty simple version.
l found while trying to figure how to make the smoke more visible.
thankfully l have a proper machine, as l hate the smell of cigars.

i fooled around making a smoke generator with nichrome wire wrapped around fiberglass wick in a glass jar with some mineral oil but it wasn't great. bought a cheapo $35 stage fog generator and modified the output to a nozzle. works great.

Wed Mar 05, 2025 4:31 pm

DanHoug wrote: markswagen wrote: l'm not sure this is a luxury tool, but a pretty simple version.
l found while trying to figure how to make the smoke more visible.
thankfully l have a proper machine, as l hate the smell of cigars.

i fooled around making a smoke generator with nichrome wire wrapped around fiberglass wick in a glass jar with some mineral oil but it wasn't great. bought a cheapo $35 stage fog generator and modified the output to a nozzle. works great.

My smoker

Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:27 pm

What makes the smoke? Cigar? Incense? Sage bundle?

Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:31 pm

markswagen wrote: l'm not sure this is a luxury tool, but a pretty simple version.
l found while trying to figure how to make the smoke more visible.
thankfully l have a proper machine, as l hate the smell of cigars.

Love this! :D

- Dave

Wed Mar 05, 2025 7:15 pm

That transfer pump cigar thing is clever...the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

When I looked hard at building this tool even the thrifty me ended up getting sonething like this......it has been great with the internal pump source and being able to regulate the fire and pressure for more advanced cars EVAP work

https://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Detector-Pressur...&psc=1

Wed Mar 05, 2025 7:27 pm

vanis13 wrote: the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

I doubt it

Wed Mar 05, 2025 7:30 pm

jimf909 wrote: What makes the smoke? Cigar? Incense? Sage bundle?

cardboard strips, paper, wood etc
I adjust the airflow with a inline valve on my compressor hose

Wed Mar 05, 2025 8:34 pm

space wrote: vanis13 wrote: the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

I doubt it

$5 3" PVC cap https://www.truevalue.com/product/pvc-dwv-cap-schedule-30-3-in/

$8 barb fitting https://www.truevalue.com/product/pipe-fitting-air...-4-in-mip/

$13 cap and fitting

$8 ($4 if you're a member) HF transfer pump https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-63144.html

$21 total

Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:23 am

delete

Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:52 am

firstly a 2'' cap, 3'' is not going to work on a vanagon.
l used it already and found 2 vacuum leaks l didn't know l had.
this is my reciept from yesterday in HD.

l bought 2 barbed fittings, because l couldn't remember what size hose l had

space wrote: vanis13 wrote: space wrote: vanis13 wrote: the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

I doubt it

$5 3" PVC cap https://www.truevalue.com/product/pvc-dwv-cap-schedule-30-3-in/

$8 barb fitting https://www.truevalue.com/product/pipe-fitting-air...-4-in-mip/

$13 cap and fitting

$8 ($4 if you're a member) HF transfer pump https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-63144.html

$21 total

Sorry Bud there is so much wrong with your calcs
Dont know where u see the 3" pvc cap?
Air fittings (barb and comp fitting) $4
Why are you pricing my costs at true value and yours at harbor freight?
The HF transfer pump wont last comparatively (ive already had 2 fail on me with light use)

TV pump:
https://www.truevalue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-101228.jpeg

Lastly I knew you wouldnt let my (I doubt it) response go
You cant be wrong
Done

Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:34 am

markswagen wrote: firstly a 2'' cap, 3'' is not going to work on a vanagon.
l used it already and found 2 vacuum leaks l didn't know l had.
this is my reciept from yesterday in HD.

l bought 2 barbed fittings, because l couldn't remember what size hose l had

space wrote: vanis13 wrote: space wrote: vanis13 wrote: the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

I doubt it

$5 3" PVC cap https://www.truevalue.com/product/pvc-dwv-cap-schedule-30-3-in/

$8 barb fitting https://www.truevalue.com/product/pipe-fitting-air...-4-in-mip/

$13 cap and fitting

$8 ($4 if you're a member) HF transfer pump https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-63144.html

$21 total

Sorry Bud there is so much wrong with your calcs
Dont know where u see the 3" pvc cap?
Air fittings (barb and comp fitting) $4
Why are you pricing my costs at true value and yours at harbor freight?
The HF transfer pump wont last comparatively (ive already had 2 fail on me with light use)

TV pump:
https://www.truevalue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-101228.jpeg

Lastly I knew you wouldnt let my (I doubt it) response go
You cant be wrong
Done

I think we are comparing apples to oranges
If so disregard my previous comments

Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:35 am

space wrote: vanis13 wrote: space wrote: vanis13 wrote: the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

I doubt it

$5 3" PVC cap https://www.truevalue.com/product/pvc-dwv-cap-schedule-30-3-in/

$8 barb fitting https://www.truevalue.com/product/pipe-fitting-air...-4-in-mip/

$13 cap and fitting

$8 ($4 if you're a member) HF transfer pump https://www.harborfreight.com/multi-use-transfer-pump-63144.html

$21 total

Sorry Bud there is so much wrong with your calcs
Dont know where u see the 3" pvc cap?
Air fittings (barb and comp fitting) $4
Why are you pricing my costs at true value and yours at harbor freight?
The HF transfer pump wont last comparatively (ive already had 2 fail on me with light use)

TV pump:
https://www.truevalue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-101228.jpeg

Lastly I knew you wouldnt let my (I doubt it) response go
You cant be wrong
Done

I can be wrong, show me not tell me.

My comments were questions to the video.

The video is now 8yra old. PVC had gotten much more expensive during cubic. Pipe at one time that used to be $10 was selling for $80, had come down some but not to pre-covid numbers.

Chose true value because it's a convenient place to get the cap (that HF doesn't sell) and the fitting. Cap is shown at 0:57. Guess into the air intake.
Stated in video at $2:50 8yrs ago, now much more expensive.

Chose HF for the pump since they is what the video spoke of.

The TV pump you linked is an image, more a price. Price would be more accurate since we are taking a price discussion.

If you didn't like my TV cap/fitting reference, please provide one that you think supports your position.

I can be wrong but show me not just tell me.

Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:37 am

Vanis I may have misunderstood your post

Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:43 am

.. Based on markswagen receipt about $7-8 in other parts so about the same as retail HF pump or 2x if you get the HF sale.

Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:56 am

vanis13 wrote: the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

At my local hardware store, brass fittings are like $4 and would not be surprised if plastic plumbing cap is $3.
I'll peek at those items next time.

Gotta wonder if a 12v pump might work better, being 'continuous'.
They're not much more $$.

With the smoke having an odor....can you smell leaks too?
Then you can set the smoke source farther away from the sniff zone.

Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:07 am

space wrote: Vanis I may have misunderstood your post

No worries. Facts get through any opinions and conjectures.... And sometimes opinions and conjectures are valuable when facts don't yet exist.

Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:14 am

Sodo wrote: vanis13 wrote: the PVC cap and barb fitting likely cost more than the pump and cigar.

At my local hardware store, brass fittings are like $4 and would not be surprised if plastic plumbing cap is $3.
I'll peek at those items next time.

Gotta wonder if a 12v pump might work better, being 'continuous'.
They're not much more $$.

With the smoke having an odor....can you smell leaks too?
Then you can set the smoke source farther away from the sniff zone.

Re pump, Exactly!... That's when I looked at DIY something vs a kit with the various intake fittings and volume and pressure regulation, my cheap self could justify the dedicated kit.

Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:16 am

The HF $7 pump and cigar trick could really be nice on the road when the fancier machine is back home.