If you haven’t guessed from my Saturday Night Live Hans and Frans reference we are going to be talking about pumping up balloons. Many professional balloon twisters still prefer to inflate their balloon by mouth, while some prefer other means of balloon inflation. Although inflating a 260 by mouth may be the most efficient method, there are good reasons to use a pump i.e. you just ate a mouthful of crackers, you get light headed or short of breath trying it by mouth, you do the majority of balloon twisting under water….wait is that even possible? Whatever the reason there are some options for you in the world of pressurized chamber air displacement devices….or balloon pump.
Our friend Tippy is proudly displaying a couple of nice balloon sculptures which he does old school by mouth.
Hand Pumps:
Dual action
The Qualatex dual action hand pump is very popular and as the name implies air is pushed into your balloon on both inward and outward motion of the handle. This is a descent model but the stem can be quiet fragile and the over zealous hand may tend to break the pump.
Single action
The Qualatex single action pump is a heavy duty cylinder which can take much more abuse, in my experience they are just as quick as the dual action pump mainly due to the fact that you can pump more quickly without the fear of breaking it. This pump also has a removable cap at the end so you can store a handful of balloons.
Dual Baffle
You can bring out the big guns with a Dual Baffle Jumbo hand pump, this pump doesn’t mess around, at nearly 20″ long you could shoot a 260 through a brick wall! Okay maybe not but that would be pretty sweet.
Spaghetti Blaster
The spaghetti blaster is a great durable mini hand pump that is perfect for inflating 160’s but will handle a 260 just fine.
Floor Models:
Mac Classic
Mini Mac
If you really want to impress the crowd try a floor pump, both the Mac Classic and the Mini Mac can inflate a 260 with a single pump. The convenience here is not having to constantly pick up and set down the hand pump, also the one pump fill saves time, great for long lines at festivals. Both are easily carried with the included strap.
Powered Pump:
Perhaps you feel the need for more power, an air compressor can be a super fast and little physical effort on your part, the one draw back is they can be noisy.
So with the various options of balloons pumps out there you will find what works for you….and don’t worry if you can’t inflate a balloon by mouth we won’t think you are a puny girly man.