Replies

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Jul 17, 2004 09:28pm | #1

   no experience here,  but a vote for more info on the hovercraft - - how about a picture?

   "there's enough for everyone"
2. 
   DavidThomas | Jul 17, 2004 09:44pm | #2

   Yeah, I want to build my kid a driveway hovercraft more than I want to go into business moving fridges.  Give us more info.

   I think it might be a sweet way to TRANSPORT an appliance.  You know, if you had to walk one up the block and didn't have a truck.  But getting it on and off the air-lift platform would be the bothersome part.  An appliance dolly works pretty well for that.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Jul 18, 2004 12:15am | #3

   http://www.airsled.com

   I saw one used to install a huge fridge in a kitchen with a marble floor.   The homeowners were very concerned about the floor, and the appliance guy showed up with one of these things.  He used conventional means to get the fridge into the house, but then used the airsled to float it through the house to the kitchen.   It seemed to work well.  Dunno how much they cost.

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jul 18, 2004 08:56am | #8

   the base model airsled goes for about $600 ...

   I'll have one sooner or later ...

   probably sooner ...

   JeffBuck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

2. 
   10man | Jul 18, 2004 01:41am | #4

   Thanks for the replies. I made my daughter's hovercraft several years ago using some rough sketches I found on the internet. It took close to three hours to complete, as I remember, so it's very basic. Actually, the internet sketches were mostly a springboard, and I worked out my own plan while in my recliner after work, drawing on junk-mail envelopes. I was lucky that the electric leaf-blower we have mated up exactly with an inverted commode flange. I only had to secure it from blowing off under pressure with alum. duct tape. I also wrapped the edge of the 1/2" cdx plywood disc with foam pipe insulation to act as a bumper and protect the paint on my shop machines as my girl sent herself gliding around. I was enthused about the idea then, even remember drawing the second, much improved version. It was to be retangular with champhered corners, powered by a powerful gas blower with the air distrubted through pvc pipes to the he four corners. A second gas blower was to be mounted on a pivot (horizontaly) to provide forward propulsion and a semblance of steerage. A go-cart seat and heavy-duty skirt would let me glide down our country road (and probably into the ditch). Google "hovercraft +plans" and you should find enough info to get you going. It is a lot of fun. The brick mason I use came by the shop a few days after I made my girls, got on it and had a blast. He couldn't believe my wimpy blower was lifting his 6'3" frame so easily. He brought his kids back a few days later. So, warning; it'll attract everyone who sees it. Be prepared for lots of demonstrations, and enjoy the reactions as unbelivers are lifted. Have fun. 10man in Tennessee

3. 
   Luka | Jul 18, 2004 04:13am | #5

   I saw your title and thought Gunner had found a use for all those burritos.

   But this is even better.

   "Criticism without instruction is little more than abuse." D.Sweet

1. 
   ponytl | Jul 18, 2004 07:13am | #6

    i saw a safe mover mover a 4000lb safe with one... he could have done the job himself except for the helpers he had that were moving sheets of pressedboard to keep it slide'n over carpet...  i looked at his and belive i could make one (said his cost him 3k)   his looked more like an airhocky table  air holes face'n down...

    i was think'n ...  3 layers or board.. say 30" sq....btm board... formica covered board with hundreds of small holes drilled to the down smooth side... middle board with the center cut out maybe leave 1 1/2 inch around the edges and glue a few support blocks (maybe 1 1/2 sq) around the center of the cutout but not block'n any holes of the bottom board.... top board... flat board with one hole connection to your air supply glue it up like a sandwich... 

   i didn't notice any type "edge" or skirt on his...  but there could have been ... in that case i was think'n maybe an extra layer of formica maybe 1/2" wide glued around the outer edge of the bottom face'n surface....

   if you had a 30" x 30" lifting/floating surface... and move'n/lifting a 4000lb safe... you'd only need about 4.5 psi to lift & move it... ?  or am i missing something?

   if you'll build the first one ...i'll build the second one...

   pony

   started out with nothing...

   and have most of it left....

2. 
   Gunner | Jul 19, 2004 05:02am | #10

   Hey you've never even seen my "technique" in action. Don't be so quick to judge.Who Dares Wins.

4. 
   mikeys | Jul 18, 2004 08:02am | #7

   I saw a flooring guy use a store bought one a few times. It's been a few years but I know it was very thin. Probably 1/2'' or thinner. Worked great. I thought about buying one. The guy said the blower for it was also a very powerful shop vac.

   Smile. It could be worse. You could be me working for you.

5. 
   OrchidGuy | Jul 19, 2004 03:39am | #9

   Hi, 10MAN

    Here are some photos from the air-sled website. Jaime Buxton has listed the website on his post. Prices start at $500.

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/18/2004 8:42 pm ET by f4phanatic

1. 
   10man | Jul 20, 2004 01:56am | #11

   Hello f4phanatic,

   Thanks for the links; too rich for my blood. I have to make one if I get one I guess. It just seems like there's never enough time.

   That's an unusual name...are you a photographer?

   10man

1. 
   OrchidGuy | Jul 20, 2004 08:51am | #12

   Hi 10Man,

    No I'm not a photographer although I do occasionally take photos. I am an F4 Phantom phanatic. One of the strange quirks about Phantom phanatics is that we have a tendency to spell words that start with an "F" with "PH" instead.I was in the Marine Corps and the F4 Phantom was one of the aircraft being used by the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force at the time. The air stations I was based at I was surrounded by F4's, so it was easy to be attracted to aircraft.There are alot of former military guys like myself who flew,worked on, or were around F4's at one time.There is even a society for the F4 Phantom. As for the air-sled, it is rather pricey,there were some models that were up in the $2,000 range.They were also advertising custom made industrial and specialty models that can lift a few tons.Who knows what they go for! Any way here are some more pictures of the F4 Phantom!

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

   Edited 7/20/2004 1:53 am ET by f4phanatic

1. 
   10man | Jul 21, 2004 01:49am | #13

   Looking at those birds puts an air sled in perspective! What would Orville and Wilbur say? Oh, the reason I thought you might be a photographer...I mean fotographer...is you name reminded me of f-stops. Thanks for the great shots.

   10man

1. 
   OrchidGuy | Jul 21, 2004 03:20am | #14

   I'm glad you liked the pictures! I do have a couple of cameras, but I only use once in awhile, like at parties and whatever. As for the brothers, well I've got a really neat job because of them! Although what I fly is definitely not as exciting as an F4.

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!