RSSJust seven weeks until MAKE: television premieres. In the meantime, here's one of our viewer-submitted Maker Channel videos. Ted and Zack make an instant French fry machine called the Uber Tuber. If you want to tell us about something you make, go to www.makerchannel.org
Make:'s Public Television premiere is in January 2009. Want to know when the series will broadcast in your hometown? Call your public television station and ask for "Viewer Services;" they'll give you the information. And of course, we'll also stream full episodes here on www.makezine.tv.
This is an off-spec use of PVC pipe, so if you make something like this, use caution. Choose fittings rated to withstand pressure, and wrap the pressurized parts in duct tape to minimize the risk of flying fragments in case of failure.
I really hate to say it, but the fittings you used are not pressure rated for the most part. The bell reducer and end cap, as well as the socketXthreade coupler are all DWV, meaning they can't hold pressure. Given the bursting characteristics of PVC pipe (think frag grenade) you are putting your self in a very risky situation. Cut off those fittings that say DWV on them, and replace them with fittings labeled NSF-PW or that have a pressure rating stamped on them.
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Lentamentalisk, thanks for letting me know about my stupid pressure mistake. I'll make the necessary changes before shooting anymore spuds. Let this be a nearly disastrous cautionary tale for other folks standing in the hardware store aisle just itching to finish their projects...
Ted Goessling
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