Hello everyone! 

This is my attempt at making a pneumatic excavator.

It all started with an idea for a modular switch array (I don't like messing with tubes), and after a few days of trying stuff it ended up like this. 

The main challenge was to fit a motor and a battery box in such a small area and I am pretty happy with the results.

Please let me know what you think.

Edited October 30, 20204 yr by shimon

If that ain't compact, nothing is. 

Excellent build!

Great build.

Thanks everyone! 

A sneak peak into the internals: 

This is so clean! Well done!

I realised the small size only by looking at the tracks. Truly impressive!

I'm not a fan of pneumatics in practise, but it looks great and with this scale, even better.

Really nice neat build there and super playability.  I just wondered how many mini pumps are you using, and is there any pressure relief or auto switch off - especially if all the valves are in neutral. 

Very good use of limited space 

Thank you for the comments guys! 

On 10/31/2020 at 8:01 PM, trekman said:

Really nice neat build there and super playability.  I just wondered how many mini pumps are you using, and is there any pressure relief or auto switch off - especially if all the valves are in neutral. 

I am using 1 mini pump so there is really no need for pressure relief, but you can always attach a hose with a bent end so that it releases air when the pressure is high. 

What a great build!

The playability looks superb.

I will echo what others have said- incredibly clean, in a compact package. Looks fantastic. 

Such a nice build! Packing three switches with all the tubing in small space is tough. My only tiny suggestion is that the first section of the arm looks too thin. I would add some meat in the middle. But it’s only for looks, mechanically it looks perfect. 

You did a great job on this excavator. Very compact for the functions!

When looking at your model, and video, it makes me travel into time

Back in 1984, it reminds me this wonderfull feeling when i received this:

Thanks fort that.

And great job, by the way!

S.

Edited November 4, 20204 yr by steph77

Thanks everyone for the comments! 

On 11/3/2020 at 4:28 PM, proran said:

Such a nice build! Packing three switches with all the tubing in small space is tough. My only tiny suggestion is that the first section of the arm looks too thin. I would add some meat in the middle. But it’s only for looks, mechanically it looks perfect. 

 

Thanks! I will try to add some curved slopes to the first section. 

I love your compact version. is it possible to have instructions or a list of parts?