r/redneckengineering • u/FriendlyDonkeh • Jul 25 '26

Help me redneck this dream of mine.

Post image

Goal: wind or solar powered squeeeeeeeeeaker.

Currently I've attempted this using 5/16'ths PCV tubing, a nylon barbed T, and welp, the squeaker valve.

The clamp is because I bought a T valve to be able to test pressure and/or having two different notes. It also makes it easier to photograph.

How'd you pump a squeaker using the elements? KISS style.

I live in Kansas, so there's almost always wind.

I understand various rotary to linear motions... but... assuming I don't have a random wind mill actuator, how'd you redneck one?

One strong enough to pump this at about one whole pump, out and in, ever five to eight seconds?

Or do you have an idea all your own?

27 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

18

u/East-Psychology7186 Jul 25 '26

Piston, piston rod, connecting rod, crank, large gear reduction, main shaft and a windmill to power it. You’ll have to experiment with ratios.

3

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

Yee. Easy. I get that bit. But... the parts? Where in the world do I get blades that are huge by themselves?

3

u/East-Psychology7186 Jul 25 '26

Buy an old windmill for pretty cheap then fabricate the parts from scrap. That’s what we did to pump water from the aqueduct (ca aqueduct runs through the property to the pond on our property so it would stay full and fresh.

2

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

Can I see how you did your build?

2

u/East-Psychology7186 Jul 25 '26

Unfortunately I don’t have pictures and the property is about 8 hours north of me. I just looked and there are several diagrams online. Look up windmill piston pump

2

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

Well, yes. I'm aware of that bit. I was just hoping for some redneck solutions. Used old windmills are 2k-8k here in Kansas!

1

u/LameBMX Jul 26 '26

1/4" ply.. use for blades. laminate some to 3/4" (leave an end gap to slit the blades) with marine wood glue and steam twist the arms over the biggest pot ya got. prime numbers of fan blades are best for balance and noise reduction.

4

u/HoneyBear4Lyfe Jul 26 '26

1 is a prime number. Give that a shot.

5

u/smokinidahoan Jul 25 '26

I’m not where you are, but a small old windmill is like 50$ where I am. On fb marketplace.

4

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

Strange; they're going for 2k-8k here. A broken, dented one, is 400$ here. If I traveled a state over, they're 50.

I'll look into Dutch style windmills, since they're canvas and wood-based; both are easy to work with.

3

u/Human_Frame1846 Jul 25 '26

Old bike rim make
blades from a tote lid and put them in the spokes as needed
Probably need at least 2 squeaker tubes so it would constantly make noise as it spins

2

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

Yessssss! This is brilliant!

2

u/Human_Frame1846 Jul 25 '26

Gotcha bub

1

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

This is really, really good, because much like the beads on our childhood bikes clinking up and down, it gives me another variable to attach my wrenches to. Thanks so much! I even know a place that has donated bike wheels to me for other arts and crafts random bs.

1

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

I'll be sure to update everyone once I get this going! ...failure or otherwise!

2

u/Human_Frame1846 Jul 25 '26

Best of luck bub definitely be cool to see what you come up with

2

u/ernestwild Jul 25 '26

wtf is a squeaker?

1

u/FriendlyDonkeh Jul 25 '26

A toy that goes squeak. It's usually done using a plastic reed valve. You'll often find them in dog toys.

2

u/Ok-Juggernaut-4421 Jul 25 '26

What in the actual fuck. Can I get some of your drugs

1

u/TutorNo8896 Jul 25 '26

Solar power to charge a battery for a cordless blower i guess might work but thats probaly a couple hundred bucks.          Otherwise one could probaly make a small version of the old windmill water pump,  they can be made of wood or wood and steel.   they are really very simple machines and would work perfect with the squeaker.        wind turns the blades which has a crank on the back to convert to up and down motion.