How to Build Pneumatic Excavator: PART 1 | Mechanical Design | Home Engineering Projects

In this video, we show how we used 3D modeling software to create design plans for our pneumatic excavator / digger. After building, we test the design in the sandbox!
In addition, we cover:
-My son's obsession with excavators
-Overview of basic excavator parts
-Basic materials used
-Design requirements
-Modeling range of motion
-Building and testing prototype
Click below for the video about all the pneumatic components! Links are in the description.
• How to Build Pneumatic...
LINK TO FREE DRAWINGS: dadengineer.com/

[@user-dy5ho4sj2w]

Hell yeah, brother! 🤘

[@cekiert]

Kinda tempting to add some sort of pneumatic loader to a riding mower. Might be able to run it off a tire inflator with a pressure switch. The power draw might be similar to those halogen headlights. Would be slow yet better than moving a few cubic yards of material by wheel barrow. It was difficult to visualize pneumatics in such a device till now. Good job on the flow control Hydraulic generally is ideal but for how often id use it it would be difficult to justify the price, and require heavy modifications. Adding a pump and fluid reservoir would be complex modifications. Technically doable though. It would be alot to pack onto a riding mower.

[@DustanWebb]

Cool build

[@dadengineering]

Thanks Dustan!

[@JM-nt5fm]

Very 😎

[@dadengineering]

Thanks!

[@ashleyharmon6400]

That is so neat! My hubby will need to make this for James!

[@dadengineering]

Thank you Ashley! I think it will make for a great father-son project for them haha

[@3dprintwiz378]

I'm pretty sure the Dad was building it form himself as well. haha.

[@kristiandivin1180]

I love this! So cool!!

[@dadengineering]

Thank you Kiki!

[@robert19838]

Amazing how fast kids figure out all the levers

[@dadengineering]

It sure is haha

[@karasteward566]

This is great!!

[@dadengineering]

Thanks Kara!

[@homehackshowtos]

Very nice. I was thinking about building exactly this for my boys for Christmas. Even have the same compressor and the same control valves currently in my Amazon shopping cart. Thanks for making this video. I was worried about the smoothness/level of control of using pneumatics vs oil. Looks great!!

[@dadengineering]

Thank you! Sorry I missed this comment, I would have responded earlier 😕. Did you end up building it? If you shoot me an e-mail ([e-mail]) I can send you the drawings... even though it is well past Christmas 😔... I updated the design to use 1/4" plywood for the whole arm assembly. I bet you can make some clean, precise parts with that nifty CNC table and your programming skills!

[@antwonious]

Hey brother I have a question for you have you ever used the electric solenoid valves on these pistons?

[@dadengineering]

No, I have not!

[@antwonious]

I recently built my own version like this have you ever had an issue with your pistons like jolting at first even with the speed control valves? I believe I need those pilot check valves

[@famousamoso7]

Will you be posting the plans and parts list here? This is pretty neat.

[@dadengineering]

Thank you, Steven. Yes, I will be posting them when finished. Making a few improvements to the design.