SNOW SEEDSNOWMAKING

Build Your Own Snowmaker

A home snowmaker built from off-the-shelf pipe fittings: four bulk water spray nozzles on a manifold, and a nucleator nozzle below it fed by a needle valve and compressed air. Snowseed does not sell these parts; any part of the same type, size and rating works.

Hoses and Fittings to Hook It Up Email Me for Fitting Advice

Parts List

Numbers on the exploded view match the list. Every high pressure water part should be rated for at least 1,500 psi, the usual limit of a home pressure washer pump. The check valve gets the same rating so water cannot push back into the air line.

WaterAirHigh PressureLow Pressure

Exploded 3D view of the snowmaker with each part numbered to match the parts list
Exploded View
  1. 1

    High Pressure Quick Connect Socket

    3/8" NPT Male Thread x 3/8" Female Quick Connect Socket

    WaterHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

    High pressure hose and quick connects: See Accessory Picks →
  2. 2

    90° Reducing Elbow

    1/2" NPT Male Thread x 3/8" NPT Female Thread

    WaterHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  3. 3

    Manifold

    1/2" NPT Female Top and Bottom x Four 1/4" NPT Female Front Outlets

    WaterHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  4. 4

    Bulk Water Spray Nozzles (x4)

    1/4" NPT Male Thread, Flat Fan

    WaterHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  5. 5

    Reducing Hex Nipple

    1/2" NPT Male Thread x 3/8" NPT Male Thread

    WaterHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  6. 6

    High Pressure Needle Valve

    3/8" NPT Female Thread x 3/8" NPT Female Thread

    WaterHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  7. 7

    Reducing Hex Nipple

    3/8" NPT Male Thread x 1/4" NPT Male Thread

    WaterHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  8. 8

    Pipe Tee

    1/4" NPT Female Thread x 1/4" NPT Female Thread x 1/4" NPT Female Thread

    WaterAirHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  9. 9

    Nucleator Nozzle

    1/4" NPT Male Thread

    WaterAirHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  10. 10

    Check Valve

    1/4" NPT Male Thread x 1/4" NPT Female Thread

    AirHigh PressureLook for 1,500 psi or More

  11. 11

    Reducing Pipe Nipple

    1/4" NPT Male Thread x 3/4" NPT Male Thread

    AirLow PressureLook for 125 psi or More

  12. 12

    Female Camlock

    3/4" NPT Female Thread x 3/4" Camlock Socket

    AirLow PressureLook for 125 psi or More

    Air hose and camlock adapters: See Accessory Picks →

Assembled and How It Flows

3D render of the assembled snowmaker: black manifold with four brass nozzles, a brass quick connect on top, and a needle valve, pipe tee, check valve and green camlock below
Assembled

Water

  1. Pressure Washer PumpHigh pressure water through a 3/8" hose
  2. Quick Connect SocketHose clicks in at the top
  3. ManifoldFeeds the four bulk water spray nozzles
  4. Needle ValveSets how much water goes to the nucleator
  5. Pipe TeeWater meets the air

Air

  1. Air CompressorAir through a 3/4" hose
  2. Female CamlockAir hose snaps on at the back
  3. Check ValveStops water from flowing back into the air line
  4. Pipe TeeAir meets the water
  5. Nucleator NozzleSprays the water and air mix forward

Hooking it up: the high pressure hose, quick connects, air hose and camlock adapters that feed this snowmaker are on Accessory Picks.

Not Sure Which Fitting You Need?

Email your pump, compressor and hose sizes, and I’ll help you match the fittings.

Email Me for Fitting Advice

Images are 3D illustrations of each part type, not product photos.