Hooking up Air to a Crappy Nortrac 5x24 Log Splitter Cylinder

[LanceH]

Hey all,

I bought a 5x24 3000 psi Nortrac cylinder to use on my diesel log splitter. I did some research, mostly on here, about this cylinder brand (looks like Northern Tool's own brand) and saw pictures/read gripes of the cylinders showing up to the door looking like they came out of battle.
When i called to place my order, i specifically asked Northern Tool's representative to be sure that my cylinder was sent in a package to protect its finish. So i was pissed when it showed up with half the paint missing-i dont even know how the UPS driver knew my address because most of the label was missing.
Long story longer, i called customer service and explained the problem, didnt want to be a prick, but thought they could have given me a coupon, free coffee cup or at least an apology! Na, nothing. They gave me a return number to write on the cylinder and said UPS would be by to pick it up and they should call me to set up the time...never got a call. week and a half later, i call back and complain cause i still have this crappy cylinder sitting in the barn holding up progress on my wood splitter. Turns out Northern Tool & Equipment had problems with their computer / fax system that sends the "request for pickup" note out to UPS so here i am again waiting, but now the gosh **** things are on backorder for a few weeks! Now i'm pissed! I feel like driving to the nearest store in Virginia and throwing the SOB through the front window!!!
Point of this thread is to know what i can do to extend and retract the cylinder using compressed air so i know at least weld up the rest of my parts. That way when the cylinder comes in (god knows when) i can just drop it in and start splitting wood using hydraulic pressure. Cylinder has 1/2" NPT female ports, so can i just get a male nipple for a air hose connection and a bushing that gets me from the 1/2" to whatever the air chuck is and take my hose from the front port to the back or is it more complicated?
Sorry for the rant, but I'm pretty upset with Northern right now. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Taylortractornut]

your on the right trail about adapting an air fitting to it. Make sure the other end has the plug removed it or it wil ljust compress that air and shoot back out. I have a mini press on my shop table that has power down, and i use shop air to return it. Just dont use this method for breaking down a cyinder. Theres a shop down the road that did this on a large loader cylinder. Took the bolts out and couldnt push the piston out. They hooked up the shop air to it and it sat a minute then launched about 100 yards to the highway.

 

[triptester]

The cylinder can be operated with air to extend and retract but be very careful because the movement can be very sudden. The opposite port must be open and covered with a rag as some fluid may be present inside the cylinder.

 

[mjncad]

Have you checked Surplus Center for a cylinder instead of waiting for Northern Tool to get more factory seconds shipped in from Harbor Freight?

 

[Short Game]

I wouldn't bother with a fitting. I'd just take an air nozzle and stick it in the hole. My nozzle has a rubber cone on it that would be enough of a seal. But like he said, be careful of how fast it can move. We're talking more gallons per minute with compressed air and there is no load on the cylinder beyond piston friction.

 

[jinman]

If you are angry now, just think what you'll be like when your replacement shows up lookin' as bad or worse than the original.

If you are that concerned with looks and have a NT&E nearby, why don't you just go to the store and order it? For less grief and more productivity, why don't you just invest in a cheap can of paint and fix the appearance issues? You'll save money, hassle, and blood pressure medicine.:thumbsup:

 

[RickB]

If you are angry now, just think what you'll be like when your replacement shows up lookin' as bad or worse than the original.

If you are that concerned with looks and have a NT&E nearby, why don't you just go to the store and order it? For less grief and more productivity, why don't you just invest in a cheap can of paint and fix the appearance issues? You'll save money, hassle, and blood pressure medicine.:thumbsup:

Exactly. Buy a rattle can, paint it and move on. It is going on a log splitter, for cripes sake. What are you going to do when the wood scrapes all the paint from the wedge?

 

[tennmogger]

Yeah, I'd just paint it. A can of paint is much less trouble than dealing with morons. The whole splitter might need paint too.

One thought about putting air in the cylinder. As pointed out, once static friction is overcome the cylinder will travel like lightning to the far end of it's travel. A safety feature would be a fitting with a small aperture on the 'output' connection to restrict the air rushing outward. That would cushion the cylinder. I do that on a 28 foot cylinder I use for an antenna mast.

Bob

 

[Short Game]

I remember the first time I played around with a pneumatic cylinder. You just can't blink as fast they can move.

 

[Short Game]

Exactly. Buy a rattle can, paint it and move on. It is going on a log splitter, for cripes sake. What are you going to do when the wood scrapes all the paint from the wedge?

Before:

OMG, it's all scratched up and dirty!

That's what about fifteen years has done to it.