From: "Ian Lloyd" <ianlloyd@perth.igs.net>
To: "balloon twisters" <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject: pump plans
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 20:12:20 -0400


List,
As Terry can attest , I built my own pump (for exactly the reasons he built
his deck). I don't know if it is the same as anyone elses, I haven't seen
the guts of anyone elses design but I have used a few and prefer mine. I
freely shared my original design at TS2K and on this list several times but
only a couple of people ever gave me any feedback on whether or not they
built them.  I would send it out again but the design has changed a bit and
now it may be more reasonable to build in volume and sell for big $$$ so I'm
getting a little more protective and avaricious. I might share the new
prototype at TS2002 but I might screw it down so no-one can peek under the
hood.
Did I save any money? Not if you count my labour, but with tax and duty and
exchange the available pumps were out of my price range. I was able to do
some recycling for some parts and ended up with enough material for a couple
of screwups and a couple of extra pumps. I have a very extensive workshop
and lots of tools (arr-arr -arrgh) and some skills in wood and metal
working.
    If it ever needs repair (not yet in 4 years) I know it intimately (ah
yess , that scratch was where I drove the chisel through my thumb) and did I
mention all the tools I have? (arr-arr-arr)
Would I recommend that someone build their own? Only if you have the
resources and the skills. If not , you are better off working on your
twisting/entertaining skills so you can make big bucks and buy a pump from
TMyers (or me!).
Besides, I am slowly learning it is not how big you make it, it's how you
make it big! I have more fun and am more entertaining with one balloon than
a dozen, but can still throw in a bigass sculpture for wow value as
required.
Ian"Jess Kiddin" Lloyd (aka the Toolman)
Perth ON
Canada
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