Best way to expand pneumatic collection?

[Dreadredbeard]

I purchased the Unimog which was my first taste of pneumatics and I'd like to expand my abilities.

My question comes down to this, Is it more cost effective to buy the parts piece by piece on bricklink or purchase an older set that has a robust pneumatic system?

Would you suggest any specific set?

As a third option I've also seen big setups on ebay, but I'm not sure if it's worth paying extra for the multiple pieces I don't need. Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lego-Pneumatic-PRO-Technic-NXT-Cylinder-Pump-Switch-Tubing-Hose-Air-Tank-Gear-/251251574179?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item3a7fc2c5a3

And finally a quick question- are the air tanks helpful if I'm using a motorized pump or are those mostly just useful for the hand pump models?

Thanks for your help!

[Blakbird]

Pneumatic sets tend to be expensive and not come with a lot of pneumatic parts. Those few that do have a lot of pneumatic parts are REALLY expensive. If you are trying to expand your collection, Bricklink is not a bad idea. That eBay auction you referenced seems to be a pretty good deal. Additionally, you can get some good pneumatic assortments from LEGO Education.

Pneumatic Parts Pack

Pneumatic Add-On Set

The air tank is useful for storing up a charge if your pump does not have the capacity to keep up with demand.

[S.I]

A good way is grabbing a cheap 8455, it comes with 10 cyclinders, 2 pumps, etc. Prices vary reatly depending on where you live, several sell each week here for 50-60 euros. Alternatively lego direct for individual parts might be cheaper than bricklink.

Edited April 4, 2013 by S.I

[mostlytechnic]

Where are you seeing 8455s sell for just 60 euros? Buy them ALL!!!

On Bricklink, used 8455 goes for at least double that, and there's not many even at that price.

[S.I]

I gave up buying them all after I won 2 or 3 in a week, I now have something like 50 cylinders in my parts box.See http://www.ebay.de/csc/LEGO-/13315/i.html?_udlo=25&_ipg=200&_sop=10&_from=R40&LH_Complete=1&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=8455&_pppn=r1&_dmpt=DE_Allesf%C3%BCrdKind_Spielzeug_Lego&_udhi=75

Edited April 4, 2013 by S.I

[Blakbird]

I guess you are very lucky to be in Germany. I have never seen a "cheap" 8455 in the USA.

[S.I]

US has much better prices for new sets, and better sales though. And I've never seen a cheap 10030 here, unlike in the US. So it evens out.

[Lost_In_Noise]

The 8868 is cheap though, around 100$. With that and the Back-Hoe you'll be set:D I'd recommend buying through BrickLink.

Read my opinions here, along with some photos:

8868, 8455

Edited April 4, 2013 by Lost_In_Noise

[Kumbbl]

well, indeed, in germany you can catch 8455 backhoes in very good condition (even with instructions and boxin good condition) for about 70€... for 50€ you must be very lucky in Germany too... Therefore i have bought two so i can hold on display both models

In Germany this is the best method to get pneumatic parts, because just all pneumatic parts of a 8455 cost in bricklink about 70€... so you better buy the full model...

so, as Blakbird already said: depends on where you live...

Airtanks: IMHO these are quite useless, because compressor models simply do not need them - 8868 as well as 8110 work perfectly without airtank - i tested an airtank with 8868 but the result was worse compared to the setup without...

And the 8455 works IMHO better than the 8459 (has one airtank) because with an airtank the pressure is released to impetuously when opening a valve aftzer the tank is full...

so my recommendation is: airtank is waste of money...

[dr_spock]

Interesting. I found my 8110 unimog pneumatics seems to work better with an air tank. I don't get that delay between opening a valve and waiting for something to happen like operating the claw on the mog's crane.

[Kumbbl]

hmm, maybe it depends on the model and the concrete cylinder/valve setup and air-circuit if an airtank has advantages or not...

Edited April 5, 2013 by Kumbbl

[Bzroom]

As long as the air tank is pressurized and of suitable size the air tank will highly benefit.

If after a few seconds the cylinders have depleted the air pressure in the tank, then the tank will have no benefit and the pump will have to charge both the tank and the cylinders at the same time, making response slower.

But, if your air requirements allow the pump to sustain the air pressure in the tank, then there is a higher volume of air available at the expected pressure, which should allow the cylinders to be filled very quickly, until that pressure has depleted.

IMO, if the air tank was not giving you benefits, you probably needed more air tanks, they will need to be pressurized, and the pump will still need to sustain your actual air loss rate.

The tank acts sort of like a capacitor, a buffer of energy, when that buffer is depleted, you're solely relying on the pump or battery again, but with an extra load of recharging the buffer. :(

After all that is said, too much pressure may make the model respond too quickly and inaccurately. Also, a very small pneumatic system, with one valve and one small actuator, surely could work with just a pump for maximum efficiency. No sense in charging a huge air tank just to move one small cylinder. But if you did have the time to wait for it to charge, that cylinder would respond VERY quickly.

Ramblings complete.

[Lakop]

As I'm playing catch up with the new parts (i've had pneumatics for a good few years now) I'm finding it best to order direct from lego customer service. Find a model that has the parts you require and pick them. You should be able to order a few cylinders etc at once. I've just discovered I now have two mini pneumatic cylinders.

Happy building

[Someonenamedjon]

does the air tank leak?

[Blakbird]

does the air tank leak?

If you smash it.

[1974]

If you have time + a BL store, you can get a Unimog cheaply from many sources. Sell the rest on your BL shop and the pneumatics will be free (or you can even make some money out of it)

Right now, the pneumatics are worth 1/3 of a Unimog on sale

The trick is to actually sell the rest and not use in your MOCs

Do this with ten Unimogs and you're most definitely in pneumatic business

[S.I]

Do people actually buy the parts though? The asking price for the unimog parts is ridiculous, I've seen people ask 100 euros for just the snow plow, and the entire unimog is often on sale for between 130-140. Or wheels+portal hubs for 50 euros, etc.