In need of a lamp pump? Here's a really quick, efficient, and economical DIY one!

[JimL]

I recently gave a lamp to a friend for his birthday. However, I didn't have a pump to go with it and could not find one available at the Gettysburg gathering. I remembered I had a pump from the dollar store but wondered what I could attach to it for use on a lamp, then remembered I had a tire valve from a different (unsuccessful) experiment. Attaching the tire valve to the pump and trying it out on a lamp, I was extremely impressed at how well it worked. So well, that I got another pump and tire valve to make one for myself and retired my real lamp pump. I won't get rid of it, but don't plan to use it now because this setup works so well.

The pump can be had from the dollar store (I think it's Dollar Tree). My tire dealer gave me the tire valve.

The dollar store pump is sold as a ball pump that comes with a needle valve, and the pump has a female fitting for it. You have your choice of a few colors for the pump. ?


Tire valve:



Remove and toss the cap and Schrader.



Screw the valve into the pump and you're done! Because the end of the tire valve is a relatively soft rubber, it goes nicely against the fuel cap check valve for pumping. It does not go into the hole, but easily seals around it. Total project cost: $1 + tax.



This is the lamp and shade I gave to a friend for his birthday. He was pretty happy, especially since he couldn't believe I would part with a lamp. I couldn't believe myself that I would part with a lamp. ?



Thanks for looking. I hope this helps someone else out in need of a pump. I know that pumps occasionally show up here on the forum, but not necessarily right when someone wants one.

[Barrett]

Funny enough I was wondering about a pump in your other post of this generous gift.

That's a great solution Jim.

[Mister_Wilson]

Gotta love cheap, simple solutions. Do they have nickel plated pumps?

[stoves1234]

Great tip. The valve should provide a good seal.

[1hpycmpr]

Nice! Thanks for sharing this with us, Jim. Sure beats waiting for one to show up.

[QUOTE username=Mister Wilson userid=4376915 postid=1312029204]Gotta love cheap, simple solutions. Do they have nickel plated pumps?[/QUOTE]Hmmm, wonder if Timm would give it a go! ?

[JimL]

>>Funny enough I was wondering about a pump in your other post of this generous gift.

Andrew,

I needed to make another so I could share this idea. Even though it's only two parts, I think the pics show how simple this really is.

>>Do they have nickel plated pumps?

John,

No, but if you're feeling creative, the dollar store also sells aluminum foil, scissors and glue, so for a few dollars more, you can make your own shiny one. ?


>>The valve should provide a good seal.

Jim,

It makes a great seal and really does work that much better than my real lamp pump. Other than hanging onto the real one for display, I can't see using it again.

[Mister_Wilson]

Thanks Jim! I need to make a new hat, so hopefully I’ll have enough left over to cover the pump. ?

[zoomkat]

"then remembered I had a tire valve from a different (unsuccessful) experiment. "

Repressuriing an aerosol can? I got a couple of those pumps "cause they are just a dollar".

[JimL]

>> Repressuriing an aerosol can? I got a couple of those pumps "cause they are just a dollar

No, I was looking for a better way to pump up a P’max clone.

[Northman49]

Is it just a coincidence that the threads match?

[JimL]

Ed,

No coincidence. It's the standard thread you see on a car tire, bicycycle tire, ball inflator, etc. At least I assume Canada uses the same threads. Instead of screwing in the ball inflator that came with it, I just screwed in a tire valve.

It would be a pain and not real practical, but it's the same as if you took the pump and screwed it onto your vehicles tire valve to inflate the tire. These dollar pumps don't include a hose.

It's the back side of the valve that sits inside the tire(through the rim) which you don't see, and is what goes against the check valve in the fuel cap on a lamp.

[Wirefox]

That's a great solution for a needed pump, I'm checking my local Dollar tree and Napa tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up Jim.

[Rustytank]

Genius!

[Gunhippie]

OK, what is that thread?

Because I have more than a few of these:



Party pump pumps from defunct keg party taps (did I use "pump" and "party" too much in that sentence?). I can cut the nipple off, drill and tap... if I know what tap to use!

And, yes, that is nickel plated. Some have plated brass tops on them, too, and I have the balls for the top. I've learned to hoard the balls as locals like to steal them to use as shifter knobs for rat-rods.

[JimL]

I would have no clue on thread sizes. However, from here, that looks like a low volume pump. Save yourself the effort and spend a dollar. ?

[Gunhippie]

Well, it's for pumping a full keg--15 gallons--to 15+ psi. I also have longer ones.

Besides, it's also plated already, so saves me stripping, prepping and plating. Not to mention (but I'll mention it anyway), it's from the scrap metal bin. Waste not, want not.

[JimL]

Nothing wrong with making do with what you have. I just knew I had to come up with something for a lamp pump to give my friend when I gave him the lamp. I'm just glad the idea came to me, but never expected it to work anywhere near as well as it does.

[Gunhippie]

I'm very happy for you, Jim, and you've inspired me to make what I have work!

[JimL]

Right back atcha Timm. I now have the supplies and am about to start nickel plating myself.

[Dmacp]

I would have had a hard time parting with that lamp

[Gunhippie]

[QUOTE username=JimL userid=3932848 postid=1312031338]Right back atcha Timm. I now have the supplies and am about to start nickel plating myself.
Just remember to polish first and clean, clean, clean. For iron or steel, I do a muriatic acid wash and a distilled water rinse for the last step before plating.

[hurricaner]

Tap and die https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07LGJNMFB?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win10-other-smile-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&ref=aa_scomp

Sam

[Gunhippie]

.305-32 is an odd size, for sure.

[Gunhippie]

So I'm trying to find something to make that little nipple from, and I found it! A standard Zerk fitting fits the airscrew of a Quickie nicely, and it uses a common 1/8" NPT thread to mount--no need to spend $30 on what will probably be a rarely used tool.

Problem is, of course, the Zerk fitting has a CV, and it goes the wrong direction. I need to remove that little BB from it. The BB and spring are retained by a collar on the back of the fitting--so pull or drill it out, right? Unfortunately, the collar--don't know if it's press-fit or threaded--is made from undrillium. I ruined one drill bit without hardy scratching the collar. A cobalt bit didn't scratch it, either. An Easy-out won't even start to get a grip.

I guess I'll try drilling the other side to get the BB out.

Stay tuned for further developments!

[Rubing]

[QUOTE username=Gunhippie userid=4432969 postid=1312036375].305-32 is an odd size, for sure.[/QUOTE] Check eBay for the tap, I have bought some real odd balls on there.

[JimL]

Timm,

Before I had a lamp pump, I made one from a 200A pump and used a Zerk fitting. As I recall, it was really simple removing the innards. I think I just used a small finishing nail and punched them out.

[Gunhippie]

Well, duh! I'll have to give myself a dope-slap if that works.

[JimL]

Were you able to punch it out with a little nail?

[Gunhippie]

No. This Zerk fitting is apparently make of unmodim. I may need to find and buy a cheaper one.

[JimL]

Maybe a bigger hammer? ? I assume you tried pounding it out from both sides.

In a pinch, you vehicle should have some installed. ?

[outlawmws]

It took me thirty min to re-find this thread using the Hopeless search functions..

I converted one, and Timm I used a zerk from my std automotive zerks. I easily driled out the ball, spring from the ball side. Once the zerk was opened up everything came out pretty easy.

This pump was cheap from a yard sale last Sat. and I used the tapered inflator tip; belt sanded it a bit shorter for a thicker wall and drilled it for the press in zerk:

@Gunhippie PM me your Addy Timm and I'll send you a Zerk... I also have them in 1/8 pipe thread if you prefer.

[JimL]

@outlawmws

Although the Zerk fitting will work just fine, I think you'd find that a tire valve works even better since it creates a seal.

[stoves1234]

I bought a valve stem the other day and did the Jim pump mod. Worked great on my Quicklites.

[Gunhippie]

I'll do that, Outlaw. The ones I have are made of `100% undrillium.

[Gunhippie]

@JimL
Unlike this one?

Not much or a perfect seal there.

[outlawmws]

Timm, you want 1/8" NPT, or press fit? (or one of each?)

If the bit is still in the press I'll even drill and prep them...

[Gunhippie]

Thanks, Outlaw, but I can just pick one up next time I'm at the hdwre store. I don't know where the undrillable ones I have came from, but I'm sure none of the stores hereabouts stock ones of that quality.

[outlawmws]

[Jeepstircrazy]

Glad I found this thread while poking around different topics. This is really helpful. I have an early Coleman chandelier lamp (Canada on one valve wheel) but no pump and I have been poking around that infamous on-line auction site but just wouldn't break down and buy one. As much as I poke around antique shops and flea markets I just figured I would eventually find one and THEN I could play with the chandelier. Now I've got no excuse, and can't wait to get the honey-do list finished...actually the winters -due list. I dread winter.... but my new hobby will keep me grinning'!! Thanks for posting this JimL ....and MY birthday is in May... just in case you ever feel generous again?

[JimL]

@Jeepstircrazy

Wayne,

If you can make it to a collector gathering, you'll not only have a great time, but there's a good chance of finding a lamp pump for a very reasonable price. There are often trade/for sale/wanted threads to go along with the gatherings, so you can arrange ahead of time to get one. Personally, I don't think you'll want to use the real thing once you've made this, but it's good to have an authentic one for display with the lamp.

...And my birthday is in February. ?

[Bob1774]

JimL:
Very creative to synthesize an inexpensive pump with a valve stem! Begs the question, why not just lock a valve stem in an air compressor chuck, and give it a quick shot of air, of course making sure your regulator is set on a low and appropriate pressure. You could keep the lamps looking original, yet have the advantage of a shrader valve Amish fuel cap.

[Tigerfans2]

Seems like a lot of work when you can walk into any antique store or flea market and find an original.



Oh...you guys aren't in Kansas are you?


Never mind me, I'm at Old Chicago drinking ?

[Steve66]

If I'm outside I just use the rubber tipped blowgun on my air compressor. A one second shot is all it takes.

[JimL]

Some folks are straying from the intent of this topic. This isn't about developing the best method of pumping up a lantern or lamp, but for someone that has no pump and wants one. This is a great alternative until one finds an original. There's nothing wrong with using a compressor, but not everyone has one or wants one, and likely won't go out and buy one just to pump up a lamp or lantern. Some, if not most people enjoy the charm of using a lamp/lantern as it was originally used. For those that need total convenience in life, there's LED.

[outlawmws]

Jim's solution has another advantage; its MUCH faster to get a GPA pumped up. While using an original, is cool sometimes you just want to get'er done.

For the bench, this is a great tool.