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Question about Blowgun Valve pressure rating

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:07 am
by phonut
Hi guys, first post here.

I was walking around home depot and i noticed the blowgun valves they have are rated at 90 psi. If i were to use this to mod my sprinkler valve, does that mean i should never exceed 90 psi? Common sense tells me i shouldn't. Unfortunately, thats all they have at home depot. Would be nice to get some advice and opinions. :)

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:18 am
by Hotwired
Basic metal blowguns are a lot stronger than the pressure they're intended to be used at.

The pressure stamped on a blowgun is for safety reasons so you don't blow stuff about at excessive speeds.

I'm certain the one I have is fine to 300psi.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:20 am
by veginator
yes it means you should never take it above 90 psi. you might want to go to mcmaster and get one rated to 150 psi. Welcome to Spudfiles :D

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:29 am
by phonut
Just tested it at 100 psi for the first time and it didn't blow up. :o

I'll check out mcmaster, thanks for the info.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 8:42 am
by iPaintball
I've taken my modded blow gun up to 200 psi with no problems. Your current one is fine. And again, welcome to SpudFiles.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:23 am
by windshrike
Ok, assuming that you got it at lowes or home depot it is probably the same as mine. You'll be fine to 150 psi(which is about the max for a sprinkler valve).

However, I wanted to reduce it's profile to fit in one of my guns and when I was cutting off the little claw like rounded thingy, and it is NOT metal. It is a plastic or polymer with a chrome coating(but it is pretty thick). If you're unsure about taking it above 150, or nervous about even that, pressure washer handles are the way to go. LOL 1500+ psi rated.

Note, if you are going to pressure test it, fill the blowgun itself with water, so if it bursts the shards won't have the same velocity as if it was filled with air.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:20 pm
by phonut
I tested at 120 psi. Here are some pics of my gun and stuff.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:34 pm
by windshrike
There's nothing wrong with posting pics here, but you're supposed to start a new thread for it in the showcase section.

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:43 pm
by trae08
use common sence and your best judgmeant,

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 12:54 pm
by Pilgrimman
I think the reason they are only rated to 90 psi is because they have the little nozzle on the end. You probably removed it, so you should be fine, even at high pressures. NICE gun, too! 729 fps... AWESOME! :D

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 1:52 pm
by trae08
yea i did have it off i was shooting air soft pellets so i used a different fitting. but at the 400 psi i could not get it off on the quick connect. i had to drain the pressure to get the quick connect to disconnect?

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 3:41 pm
by phonut
Pilgrimman wrote:NICE gun, too! 729 fps... AWESOME! :D
Thanks.
trae08 wrote:yea i did have it off i was shooting air soft pellets so i used a different fitting. but at the 400 psi i could not get it off on the quick connect. i had to drain the pressure to get the quick connect to disconnect?
Damn, 400 psi, i want to see your gun.:shock:

Yeah, i just fired several shots at 120psi. So far it's intact.



I just noticed that the orbit brand sprinkler valve (also bought at home depot) is rated at 125 psi. You guys think i can get pass 125psi without the valve failing?

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2007 11:47 pm
by shud_b_rite
I think most blowguns use a poppet valve so basically the pressure behind it keeps it shut (along with the spring). Unless your blowgun was made of plastic I would feel safe taking it up to to or above 300psi.

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:26 am
by Mitchza89
Hey guys,

I'm looking to get a aluminium pistol style blowgun. Does anyone know if it can hold pressure from both ends? I'm gonna use it on my BB/pellet gun thats gonna be charged to 300psi so I hope your correct about 300 being comfortable shud_b_rite :D

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 2:27 am
by shud_b_rite
Well I would be comfortable with 300psi, that doesn't mean everyone would be. It depends on how you have it connected and what it is used for. I wouldn't go above 90 psi by connecting it backwards, it would just force the poppet valve open and leak rather quickly.

If you take one apart you will see that there isnt really anything inside them that can break easily from just pressure, it not like a down pipe air gun where it will explode under pressure and flying shrapnel will go everywhere. If anything inside it did break all that would happen is it will lose its ability to hold air back and basically becomes a leak in your chamber/pilot.

The ones I use have DG-10 written on the side, they are all metal and work great. I recommend you do some pressure testing of your own.