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Metal or Plastic ???

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:39 am
by Stifler69
Hi, ive just made a accuont and i was wondering if anyone had any ideas with what i hpeful will build...

Ok, ive made acouple of Pneumatic Marble/Golf ball guns in the past and i was hoping to go bigger and better with my new one but heres the problem:
I really want to make it out of Metal, Copper or Plastic but i dont know which one to choose, all my past ones have been plastic but i feel like ive out grown it ???
my only fear is that the metal or copper with split of break open and cause some injury to myself or others...??
does anyone have any helpful advice on which is the best or safest to use ??

thats so much

(Hopeful desgins of my next Golf Ball Rifle)

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:44 am
by FordGtMan
Well what pressures are you wanting to be taking it to? Copper would probably be the best choice if for high pressure and looks unless you have access to a welder or something. A good soldering job should be able to take most pressures you probably have access to so you dont have to worry about that.

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 12:52 am
by Stifler69
Mmmmm i was planing to pressurize it to about 140+ PSI, something that really gives off a bang and some kick back.

Before my dad became a developer he was a builder so he's got ever tool you could posibly ever think of, so yeah we got a welder...

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 1:07 am
by Darkside 6ix
If your planning on taking the gun up to high pressures, and dont mind the extra cost and weight, then by all means, go with copper. BTW, outgrowing a material is almost impossible. Just look up the pressure ratings of the pipe and go with the one that makes you feel comfortable.

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 1:11 am
by Stifler69
Ahhh thanks so much, i dont mind the cost sorta, and i would rather it be really heavy because then it feels like something real and great.
hahah yeah i guess so, and yeah i will, thanks again

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 1:17 am
by Darkside 6ix
Glad I could help.

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 5:52 am
by Pyro Ninja
If you are going for higher pressures go with a nice 15-20mm piston valve, but it really depends on what size barrel you want.

http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/piston- ... t8157.html

Golf ball rifle, I think a golf ball barrel might ruin the althentic look of the gun.

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 10:25 am
by jimmy101
Stifler69 welcome to the forum and nice pictures!

Given your targeted pressure range you should be able to use metal or plastic. So your choice of material might depend more on how easy it is to fabricate and the cost. One advantage of PVC is that you can glue things to it. With metal "guts" for the gun it might be a challenge attaching the cosmetic parts.

<Random_synapses_firing> What's the program that converts a 3D CAD model to oragami? I wonder if you could use the folding instructions on thin sheet PVC (or sheet metal) to construct the shell for the gun?</Random_synapses_firing>;

Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 6:11 pm
by Stifler69
Ahhh yeah i have a ton over both materials so i was just seeing what everyone else though so thanks mate. i was hoping to weld the metal together and hope that it would withstand the pressure ??

thanks again