The SOM Saga 2 - Hosed

Assembling the hardware that makes up a SOM is "a doddle" according to one end user, and really does not need the on-line video to show you how to do it.   All up and ready in no time at all.

However, the SOM2 is powered by an air-compressor.  This gives a more swing than an electric motor, and allows for far finer tuning of the power of any one delivery.

The machine does not come with an air-compressor:  that you have to buy yourself.   This should be no biggie for they are not expensive pieces of equipment.    Since you are more likely to use your SOM indoors than out, you are virtually driven to get an electric air-compressor which will definitely keep costs under control.

All you have to do, is connect the hose pipe attached to the SOM to the socket in the air compressor.   The instructions that come with the machine contain this gem of a useful bit of advice: 

1         Incoming air line.  Pressurized air provides the power for the SOM II system, and comes to the head unit through a thick black rubber hose with brass fittings permanently attached to the head.  This hose ends in a male quick connect fitting that mates to the female fitting supplied on most compressors or available at hardware stores as “industrial” style.  International owners may need to seek out fittings that match up appropriately.  Attaching a quick connect pair involves pulling back the collar on the female, inserting the male firmly, and releasing the collar.  The fitting should lock together making an air-tight seal.

What this really means, after some lengthy experimentation is that American air compressors come with a clip, or collar, that readily connects with the SOM2 hose, but if you get an air compressor in a foreign country, you are very likely to be out of luck. So American consumers need not worry unduly.

But an air compressor is an air compressor and there just has to be some way to make it fit a SOM, isn't there?   Not necessarily.   The first air compressor had the SOM hose swirling about quite freely.   A helpful web site suggested a coupling device to act as a bridge between the two.   Despite the diameters appear to fit the couplings parameters, air still escaped at a rate to stop the paddle arm getting enough to flex its muscles.

The second air-compressor - purchased locally - fared no better.   A trip back to the shop revealed that neither of the first two air-compressors could ever have worked with the SOM - the respective specifications were totally incompatible..   C'est la vie.

The third and final purchase of an air-compressor was one that fitted perfectly.   A simplistic test run of this third purchase showed that the only real noise came from blasting some air into the SOM for the next paddle stroke, and that that noise was considerably less than a paddle slapping a butt with any degree of real sting.

Incidentally, when testing the SOM without a paddle, only the lowest settings should be used.   Part of its integral structure, the SOM needs a stroke to come to a definite stop to prevent internal damage:  which is why you should not use a light whip or switch as the implement of infliction.

Still - we now have a SOM2 set up in a private part of the house, and its muscles flex readily with a supply of air pressure.  Nothing else could go wrong.   Or could it?