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1“ and 1/2” PVC

1” Cap and Elbow (to thread) fittings

1/2” Cap

PVC Cleaner and Cement

1)Start with a length of1” PVC that is the distance you wish the pistone to travel.

2) Cut a piece of 1/2“ PVC for the piston, longer than the 1”... you will connect your haunt object to the end that sticks out of the 1” cylinder.

3) Drill a hole in the 1” cap slightly larger than the outside diameter of the 1/2“” piston.

4)Place a cap on the 1/2” piston, and sand round with a belt sander until it slides evenly through the 1“ PVC cylinder. It needs to move freely but not have excess gaps.

5) Cement all the pieces together as shown.

6) Connect the cylinder up to a slenoid and adjust air pressure to allow the piston to open with the speed you desire.


Dual acting pneumatic cylinders with quick connect air hose links are shown below. These are commercially available in a wide range of sizes (and prices).

These cylinders are how I started in pneumatics. They require a good deal of air, only provide power in one direction, and by design leak... but that leak when activated creates a really good hiss that adds to the scare. I’ve converted mostly to Dual Acting Pneumatic Cylinders (see below) at this point, but still use these when I need to high volume of pressure or a longer range of motion.