hand pump milker question

[Jaclynne]

If you are making a maggidan style hand milker, is it possible to use a 'real' inflation and shell instead of a syringe?

I have all the stuff to make one, but it just seems like the syringe would be uncomfortable with that sharp hard edge at the top. I was surprised at the suction power of this gadget! It got me to thinking though, could you use a regular inflation and shell with it? Only way I can figure is the gun suction end attached to outer vac line attachment and then a hose from delivery end right into bucket. This leaves the 'out' end of the gun open - will it provide enough vac to work this way?

Anybody know or have tried it? I've never use a milking machine and I'm not sure how they work, so not sure if the tech will transfer. And I admit to sometimes thinking up the hardest solutions to easy problems. So if the answer is, "That's a stupid idea!" , I won't be offended, but I would like to know the reason it's a stupid idea.

Thanks,
Halo

[tberggren]

Bump ;o)

[billooo2]

Why not just try it?? ......Then you can let the rest of us know how it worked....

And if you need an inflation and shell................there may be someone on HT that might have some old inflations and shells lying around........ (like me)

[Chaty]

I have tried the maggiedans and its not good to use alot as it messes the teats up and caused problems with my girls teats. It caused them to be really sore. I wish I could get my money back for them. Not worth my time and money personally. I like my milking machine better and so do the girls. Good luck trying to get it to work. Let us know if it does.

[Jaclynne]

I still haven't tried rigging one of these up. I don't have the inflation and shell to play with. I don't have anyone in milk tight now either.

I did use the syringe and while the homemade machine works great, it just seemed the top edge was too sharp.

Maybe this winter I'll make this a project to try.

Halo

[Alice In TX/MO]

The syringes we use have a flange on the top, so there's not a sharp edge.

You can also heat the top edge of whatever you use above the flame of a gas stove. The edge will melt and bead to a smooth curved surface. Just work slowly and carefully with the heat source.

Be sure to use a syringe that is close to the size of the teat so that the teat doesn't have to swell inside the tube when the vacuum is created. We have three different syringes that we use, depending on the goat. Use the smallest size syringe body that will slip on the teat.

You also don't want the syringe body top to ride up onto the udder very far.

We haven't had any trouble with teats.