Two hose foamer update

[Hummerbk]

I've noticed that several people have built two line foamers using brass fittings.

This defies common sense and is a serious safety risk.
Brass is a relatively weak metal and is attacked by caustics.

Since most of the fittings are at the trigger gun any failure will put the operator at risk...and it WILL fail at some point.

The original foamer plans called for stainless steel although any steel is better than brass.
Because of this, I have removed the original plans.

Other people have posted those plans and although I have asked them to remove them they have not done so. That is their choice.

Because of the brass failures I feel that a single line foamer is a safer way to foam. Most of the fittings are at the tank which would be farther away from the operator.

Several people have sent me plans for a single line foamer. I've looked at them and believe they can be improved apon.

I have ordered the steel parts to construct one and will start expermenting with it. If it performs sastifactory I can get copies to you, if interested. I will provide part numbers for the steel parts from Envirospec.

Let me know if you want copies.

[mbryan]

Once again I would caution anyone against building these home made foamers. To date, I have heard of at 3 incidents of guys building these backyard 99 dollar specials and had them come apart and spend time in the hospital because of it. This is time in the hospital folks, not to mention the tough guys who have had the chemical blow in their face and just douse a little coke on there and keep on going.

Spend a few hundred dollars and professionally built foamer from Delco. At least you know it will put together correctly and work properly and you will get unlimited technical support. Just like most of you probably wouldnt go and buy a bunch of parts from Home Depot to try to build a pressure washer, you shouldn't be risking your safety trying to build a contraption that shoots caustic chemicals under pressure.

Ultimately it is up to you, but in all the time I have been in this business, I have never heard of so many guys getting injured in such a short period of time as I have with these do it yourself foamers. It is only a matter of time before somebody goes blind from a malfunction.

[RMedbery]

I agree with Matt. Ive had my foamer come apart in a restaurant. It broke at the wand right where the fitting screws into the wand. Its a single line foamer with 100 foot of hose, guess where the shutoff is? Yup about 98 feet away. No one was hurt but I got to spend some time cleaning up A LOT of foam.

[HotShot]

Mine blew up all over the side of my trailer and now it's down to bare naked metal. Sometimes, bare naked metal isn't desired......

[Hummerbk]

I agree Matt.
Please remove the copy of the two line foamer plans you posted on the Homemade Foamer Plans thread and I will not post the single line plans.
This will help keep everyone safer.

Thanks
Dave

[Thad]

I feel really safe now!

[BUNN]

It really isn't worth the risk, to build your own foamer. If you want a cheap foamer, buy a foam cannon or a pump up foamer. The foam cannon is less than $100, and the pump up foamer is just over $100. By contrast, the last time I walked into the ER, it cost me $995.00 and that was just to walk in the door!

[mbryan]

Originally Posted by Hummerbk

I agree Matt.
Please remove the copy of the two line foamer plans you posted on the Homemade Foamer Plans thread and I will not post the single line plans.
This will help keep everyone safer.

Thanks
Dave

All done. Sorry for posting them without your permission.

[mbryan]

Originally Posted by BUNN

It really isn't worth the risk, to build your own foamer. If you want a cheap foamer, buy a foam cannon or a pump up foamer. The foam cannon is less than $100, and the pump up foamer is just over $100. By contrast, the last time I walked into the ER, it cost me $995.00 and that was just to walk in the door!

You could have bought 2 foamers for that and 5 gallons of Black Gold!!!!

[Hummerbk]

Matt, thanks for deleting the plans.

I don't think building a foamer is necessarily bad if quality parts are used and proper safety procedures are followed.

For instance the stainless parts for my foamer cost over $240.00. I don't think people want to spend that much on a homemade foamer, so they cut corners.

[Christopher]

I agree with you guys, I do not ever plan on using caustic in my foamers since I am not cleaning vents but still, under pressure along with corrosive chemicals, the brass will give out and someone will get shrapnel into their body, hope it will not be a child while you are working on it.

When it comes to things that are under pressure, always spend the money and get the best quality parts if you are going to attempt this, otherwise, make sure your insurance is up to date and make sure that there is someone with you at all times to take you to the ER just in case.

[centexpw]

I have an original twin line foamer from Lafferty. They no longer manufacture it. Maybe not enough interest. It is low chem pressure at the gun. All SS parts. It is out primary foamer unit and has run flawlessly 3 + years.

Go Stainless Steel or go to the ER.

[mohadeeb]

Originally Posted by BUNN

It really isn't worth the risk, to build your own foamer. If you want a cheap foamer, buy a foam cannon or a pump up foamer. The foam cannon is less than $100, and the pump up foamer is just over $100. By contrast, the last time I walked into the ER, it cost me $995.00 and that was just to walk in the door!

In ya'll's experience which is better. the cannon or the pump up?

Thanks

Nam
Dirty Jobs Unlimited, LLC

[mohadeeb]

I am looking at getting a foamer to start out with that wont cost too much. Which one is best. the cannon with bottle attatched, cannon without bottle attatched, or the pump up.

Thanks

Nam
Dirty Jobs Unlimited, LLC

[HotShot]

Cannon....nah, the Pump up.....

nah, nevermind, the cannon....

oh wait...the pump up...


it's a personal preference man. Depends on a lot of things. For instance, what kind of grease you're gonna be tackling, how many gpm's your machine is...etc.

Hope this helped.