Well, I'm on the market for a pump again. I purchased the macpump and had absolutely no luck with it. I find it very hard to lift unless I overlubricate it and then all everyone can smell is the lubricant. I can't get a refund but the maker has agreed to look it over and fix or replace it. He has been very nice.

It is so hard to shop for a balloon pump when I can't try it out!

Oh so much has happened!

I did send it to the maker who completely refurbished it and mailed it back to me. When I got it back, I thought it was hard to lift but thought I might just need to get used to it. I took it to a 1-hour job and pulled both triceps! My arms hurt so bad!

I notified the maker that I was going to try to sell it and he offered me $35 plus shipping.

Should I take it?

Pulled both triceps?! Ouch... sorry you've had such a rough time of it, stitches :(

Well I tried to save money by buying a less expensive pump and now that money was wasted. It's so hard when you can't try it out before buying.

It's so hard when you can't try it out before buying.

That's what my last girlfriend said about me!

Stitches,
I am sorry that yu had trouble with the macpump. I have one myself and haven't had a problem with it. I wish I could help you with it. Also, you might try posting it in the Clown closet.
Also, At the base of the pump, there should be a air inlet hole. Please measure the size of the hole. If you can Pm a couple of pics. Doc & Jasper (one of our members and the best partner I've ever clowned with.) and I have an idea. That might make it easier to raise for you. but, before I suggest trying it, I want to run a couple of things thru the old brain trust.
lease send pics of the pump. maely, where it mounts to the bottom, anr the air hole.
thanks,
Scruffy

BTW, I'vew tried the Tmyers pump one and didn't see where it was any easier to operate than my Mac.

My spouse and I think it is hard to lift because there is so much friction. I have two choices: Sell it back to the maker for $35 plus shipping OR try to alter it myself.

A friend has offered to help me experiment with lubricants. I haven't given the maker an answer yet. I will take some pics and send them to you. If I lived in your state, I'd bring it to you. Then I could try yours too.

There is a hole at the base of the pump, but I don't think it is an air inlet hole, is it? From what I've seen (when the pump was taken apart), air is drawn in through the nozzle only.

Please understand that I am not a fragile little girl. I don't lift weights or anything but I've carried lumber and other heavy things. I helped tear down and rebuild a shed, built a play scape, etc. I'm not as strong as the average man, but lack of muscle is not the issue, especially for a balloon pump! My spouse, much stronger than me, also had trouble with the pump.

P.S. I'm borrowing a Pump 260 on Friday.

As you know Smiles, Fritz and I all have the pump 260 and for me it works great and as far as I know Smiles likes hers but I agree about trying it out before you spend the money on it Ihave had mine for a while and had no promblem with it

Stitches, would wax help? Rub a candle on the pump, and maybe that will lubricate properly, without being smelly.

For starters, I'd take the pump apart and coat the seal with White Lithium grease. It's resistant to heat so if it manages to get hot--think trunk of the car on a hot day; it won't come running out.
The hole in the bottom is to let in air. When you raise the pump; The rubber flaps on the valve mechanism open upwards and it draws fresh air up from the bottom of the tube and through the valve. When you push down on the pump, the valve flaps push against the valve body and seal themselves off. the air is then forced through the opening in the top and into the balloon.
Mine has a wing nut on top of the valve. you might try to loosen it up. It might help. Also, if you enlarge the hole in the bottom it should draw air in faster.
Stitches, please send me photos; inside and out. I'll look at it and then take mine apart to see if there have been changes. I bought mine from him used. It might even be the prototype. I don't know. But it was his personal unit.
I hope I can help. I don't think there is anything to lose at this point.
Scruffy

I think I tried white lithium grease too - I don't remember. I don't want to take it apart again after it was just refurbished. The ring is too hard to get back into the bottom. I remember a wing nut from when I had it apart before. I didn't realize that was a valve.

I've been in communication with the maker of the filbert pump. It is only 2 1/2 lbs. and rarely needs to be lubricated. Plus he told me how I could try it without scratching it up so I could still return it if necessary. I think I am leaning in that direction (or that may be because my shoes got mixed up - I'm wearing one high heel and one flat).

I have heard very good things about the filbert pump. If you decide to try it would you be willing to do a "product comparision" type review for us? lease post pics if possible!

Absolutely! The maker gave me Royal Sorrell's phone number. He owns a filbert and would be willing to talk to me. You can check them out at www.filbertpump.com. If I get one, I will definitely post pictures.