SpudFiles

I just stopped at my local Palermo plumbing supply, and let me first say, wow, a lot easier than trying to find stuff at Lowe's!

My new project is a Barrel Sealing Piston Launcher

Specs:

2" x 36" chamber

2"Tee

1.5" barrel roughly 42-45 inches long

I plan to be using higher pressures than what I normally use in my sprinkler pneumatic (40-90), something around 100-130 probably. I am adding a quick disconnect and a schrader valve for air, and using a remote blowgun pilot.

I found a piston that fits almost perfectly!!





It was right on my dresser! I found out where I should mount the barrel

Will a blowgun with maybe about a foot of 3/8 ID tubing work as a pilot valve for the piston?

Here's a little help... go to the Search and type in "barrel AND sealing AND valve" just as it is typed. Half of the search is done..

For the second question, type in "epoxy AND glue", half the search is done again...

Next question.... as far as suggestions, before you glue anything up, read for about four or five nights on 2" piston valve. Once you do that, read a little more. The reason I say that, there's so many different things you can learn, the problem will be after five or six nights of reading, you'll have more of a problem making decisions on everything you have learn, than guessing at things.

As far as I know there are no tests or anything that have been done to see how long you should extend the seat into the tee. Personally I keep it pretty far to the right, but other people go pretty far to the left or anywhere in between. I would say just use your best judgment.

I wouldn't suggest making a solid piston that large. If you want to cast it then put something hollow in the middle to take up space. You could also find something else that fits good in the pipe to make a piston out of. I'm sure if you search around a bit you can find plenty of ideas.

Also I think expecting to be able to pilot it with a blowgun is a little optimistic unless you are using o-rings. It probably could be done without them, but I would say the average 2" piston with a 1.5" seat wouldn't be able to be piloted with a blowgun.

Edit: If you are going to edit your first post it would be courteous to leave original questions in place and just indicate below them that you have already found your answer. That way others don't look silly replying to questions that appear to not have been asked.

Sorry, I didnt clarify, I am just using the top of the bottle, it has a flat top, and is hollow on the inside, which I probably fill with........... epoxy/ hot glue?
lol

What are some reccomendation for piloting this thing? sprinkler valve, or any alternatives? I dont want to shell out 15+ dollars for valve and 1" adapters, and then have to mod it for remote fire.

You are using essentially the same piston I have on my 2" tee! To fill the piston, I used some old foam left over from when my house got built, and filled in the cracks with hot glue. Then I poked a hole just big enough for a bolt to go through, so that the rubber would seal. It helps a lot. As for piloting, I used an old sprinkler valve I had sitting around, but a ball valve of 1/2" or more should be sufficient, if not the fastest way of piloting. Good luck with the project!

you can mod a blow gun to make the rate of flow higher it was on one of the how tos. i think it was called how to further mod a sprinkler valve...just FYI

Who would've thought that overpriced cologne could come in handy for spudgunning!? lol

Or cheap deodorant, in my case

What did you use then?

you could use your blowgun to pilot your sprinkler valve which in turn pilots your piston..