Just read FRANKLINK’s hand pump thread, so now I have to ask...

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Bigragu

Bigragu

Member
Jul 8, 2018
4,887
2,365
CA, United States
How many of you pcp compressor owners still hang on to your hand pumps? I think it’s safe to say that a high percentage of compressor owners also own a fill tank or two, so the tanks along with a compressor puts one in the tier of being air independent. 

So why still hanging on to the hand pump? Sure, I’m expecting the reasons of “ in case the power goes out”.

I live in the country, and when power shuts down, the last thing I’m concerned with is being able to shoot my pcp’s. I got a fridge full of food to worry about, well water pump not working, I need to stock up on gas for the house generator, etc. yeah, no shooting at targets for me, lol.

I’ll be honest, maybe I’m asking for reasons to help my own thinking, as I, too, still own a hill MK4 hand pump. Used two times when i first got it in 2017 when I got into PCP’s. Out of all the purchases I’ve made since getting into this hobby, that pump purchase haunts me as it was the stupidest thing I ever did by buying it. Gaylord made it look so easy in his videos, I though heck ya, piece of cake! 

With a terminator bolt on spine like I own, what the heck was I thinking, thinking I could “easily” top off my Marauder each and every time. After halfway into the second session of topping my new Marauder I literally yelled out Fook Dis Chit as I sat down sweating like a pig. I gulped down three Advil and grabed the ice pack. There has to be a better way! I boxed the pump back up, and like an idiot I let the 30 day return policy expire.

So off to Airhog I go to buy my first tank. Three years later I score on a low hour 2004 Alkin W31 at a great price. So I’m great to go as far as my air needs. So why do I still have the pump?

Curious to hear your reasons
 
I've always wondered if I should get a hand pump JUST IN CASE. One never knows just what type of sh-t is going to hit the proverbial fan but, rest assured, it WILL hit, one way or another. In your case Augie I can't imagine what it's like trying to pump to full pressure with your spine the way it is. Just make sure at least 2 of the 15 tanks you own are full at all times (LOL, hahaha, etc.) I'd like to try pumping to capacity some time just to see how far I could get before my heart gives out! 
 
Upvote 0
"So why do I still have the pump?"

Some people are collectors, of junk or valuables. I don't like clutter and am certainly not a collector. I don't buy something or keep something around unless I intend to use it, at least occasionally.

I'm still driving some pretty high mileage vehicles, b/c they still get used and still do what I want them to. They fall squarely into the category of "worth more to me to keep it around than the $$$ amount that somebody else would be willing to pay for them". They've been well maintained. I know their history and know that they've been taken care of (scheduled maintenance, etc). So, I'll drive em into the ground. 

In the case of the hand pump, all the same applies as my high mileage vehicles example. 

Also, not a prepper or doomsdayer, but it does give a little piece of mind knowing I could still enjoy shooting a pellet or two, whether for food or enjoyment, if something catastrophic like a solar flare or societal collapse renders electricity a thing of the past.

For the heart going out comment, pumping isn't that bad. Less strenuous than changing a tire. 
 
Upvote 0
i dont leave my compressor set up .. i get it out and set it up by the sink on a day off when my tanks get low ... in the mean time if ive had an eventful week of nonstop killin and my tanks get depleted or ive been working on a gun after work for several days, that uses alot of air typically, i might need a fill or two on my main vermin/ashole-control rigs until my day off so i dont have to get into a time consuming tank fill operation ... hope that clears things up for ya lol ...
 
Upvote 0
Buddy have I been there! (and still am)

I'll tell you why you're still keeping it....bc every now and then when you tumble upon the old pump unintentionally, just a short glance at it would lay down 5 seconds worth of a nostalgic mile stone kind of feeling (think a young fella buying his first beat up car after saving all summer flipping burgers in local drive-in and is now driving an new-ish SUV:)

-with swift flashes reminiscing in your head about that metal tube that has been there with you since day 1, the long gone days where you had to break your back just so you could reap what you sow when reached max pressure, counting your shots and dreading the moment when you run out of air (the horror, man)

And now, finally, after 3 years of an air-source-seeking journey, for a second there, you feel accomplished that you have now "graduated" to an Alkin W31. IMHO, when we are passionate about something, a person, a career a hobby, whatever...the objects that are related to that passion, get a certain meaning, even if they are just an air pump..
 
Upvote 0
How many of you pcp compressor owners still hang on to your hand pumps?
Click to expand...

20210912_205210.1631514956.jpg




Oh wait .. i guess i have to have a pcp compressor in order to get rid of my 2 hand pumps. I am totally surprised it is still holding up. 🤣



Although just now I over presurized and broke my fluid filled gauge on on of the pumps. There is no pressure in system and the guage is stuck at this reading. 😡

20210912_212025.1631514976.jpg












https://youtu.be/7kUmyrjdyzw









20210912_205634.1631506569.jpg




No still not finished yet.. 😒



I actually thought i would have a alkin by now. Especially with how much air I go thru. Maybe I need more air guns to actually need a w31. I think a couple of .30 cals will help.



Allen


 
Upvote 0
I hand pumped every day for over three years... sometimes two or three times a day if I was tuning or prepping for a match

then I got my shoe box and a cheapie first stage compressor... which died about a year into the shoebox ownership.... After that, I had an Oring fail on the tank

Not worried about SHTF scenerios, or EOTWAWKI ... mainly because im < 90 miles from the Yellowstone supervolcano and my age...... but really worried about equipment failure. But even then, I'll just break out the TX....
 
Upvote 0
Buddy have I been there! (and still am)

I'll tell you why you're still keeping it....bc every now and then when you tumble upon the old pump unintentionally, just a short glance at it would lay down 5 seconds worth of a nostalgic mile stone kind of feeling (think a young fella buying his first beat up car after saving all summer flipping burgers in local drive-in and is now driving an new-ish SUV:)

-with swift flashes reminiscing in your head about that metal tube that has been there with you since day 1, the long gone days where you had to break your back just so you could reap what you sow when reached max pressure, counting your shots and dreading the moment when you run out of air (the horror, man)

And now, finally, after 3 years of an air-source-seeking journey, for a second there, you feel accomplished that you have now "graduated" to an Alkin W31. IMHO, when we are passionate about something, a person, a career a hobby, whatever...the objects that are related to that passion, get a certain meaning, even if they are just an air pump..
Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head! After reading your reply I started to reflect on hobbies, career, etc. I have an old first gen dodge diesel my wife wants me to sell, and I can’t after thinking of all the hours and $$ ive put into it. As far as career, I’ve been retired since August of 2016, and I can’t even imagine selling off my sheet metal tools that made a living for me for 35 years. Hmmm.... you definitely made me see a different light.....
 
Upvote 0
Buddy have I been there! (and still am)

I'll tell you why you're still keeping it....bc every now and then when you tumble upon the old pump unintentionally, just a short glance at it would lay down 5 seconds worth of a nostalgic mile stone kind of feeling (think a young fella buying his first beat up car after saving all summer flipping burgers in local drive-in and is now driving an new-ish SUV:)

-with swift flashes reminiscing in your head about that metal tube that has been there with you since day 1, the long gone days where you had to break your back just so you could reap what you sow when reached max pressure, counting your shots and dreading the moment when you run out of air (the horror, man)

And now, finally, after 3 years of an air-source-seeking journey, for a second there, you feel accomplished that you have now "graduated" to an Alkin W31. IMHO, when we are passionate about something, a person, a career a hobby, whatever...the objects that are related to that passion, get a certain meaning, even if they are just an air pump..
Click to expand...

I think you hit the nail on the head! After reading your reply I started to reflect on hobbies, career, etc. I have an old first gen dodge diesel my wife wants me to sell, and I can’t after thinking of all the hours and $$ ive put into it. As far as career, I’ve been retired since August of 2016, and I can’t even imagine selling off my sheet metal tools that made a living for me for 35 years. Hmmm.... you definitely made me see a different light.....
Click to expand...

Perfect example! I still have 27 + years before I can start thinking about retiring but I totally get the metal tools relationship. There is absolutely no question you gotta keep the Dodge. You made such a long journey together, kind of like an old watch that's been there with you and became your companion through years of shared adventures, experiences and memories, some awesome and some maybe not that great, and still, for all the hours and $$ you've put into it (and that "It" can be anything, right?) , I'm sure it gave back it return. Dont blame the wife for not fully understanding the bond, that stays only between you and the car buddy. Just a word of advice, sometimes we do have to let things go so we wont become hoarders. Just remember the saying: "if it doesn't spark joy - toss it" - Iv'e found it to be very useful when I'm self debating for too long:)

Cheers!
 
Upvote 0
Ha Ha! I’ve been accused of being a hoarder for the 33 years of marriage! Like say buying a wall mount kit for the TV. Those come with extra bolts and plastic spacers that aren’t needed when installed, depending on your model TV. I keep all that, for that “just in case” moment “one day”.

I have a running joke with my family, my true name isn’t “dad” or Augie, it’s Canyu. Cause when something breaks, all I hear is “can you do this, can you do that”!!



And when I get it fixed with hoarded parts(remember the “one day”?) I like to make mention “gee, people, got it all fixed, with no trips to the hardware store! How’s that possible?” They know I’m going to rave on about using hoarded parts, so they just role their eyes and walk away, ha ha
 
Upvote 0


And when I get it fixed with hoarded parts(remember the “one day”?) I like to make mention “gee, people, got it all fixed, with no trips to the hardware store! How’s that possible?” They know I’m going to rave on about using hoarded parts, so they just role their eyes and walk away, ha ha



LOL! I'm right there with you buddy. I have a thing love-love relationship with boxes, of any kind imaginable. You can never have too many boxes, right? Ahhh nothing beats that good ole triumphant feeling when we, the mini-hoarders, get to show our "mockers" that sometimes hoarding pays off! haha that sweet taste of "victory" is what we're counting on when secretly stashing extra parts away for that "one day" to arrive lol
Click to expand...


 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu