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nail gun semi auto airsoft gun

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:03 pm
by Dave_424
Hi all, was just wondering whether I could modify a cheap nail gun the I would connect to my compressor. This would give me consistent and a "crisp" trigger for my 6mm airsoft sniper. The reason for this and not a QEV is that I like to slowly squeeze the trigger until it fores but with a QEV that means that i end up with underpowered and honking shots that sound like a trumpet

I got this idea from JSR when he connected one to his blow forward bolt system in hope for better results

designs of how they work can be found here http://home.howstuffworks.com/nail-gun1.htm

It is surprising that they are essentially a coaxial that dumps all of its air onto a piston so am i right in thinking that if I took out the piston "The red part" (not the green "piston")and added a 6mm barrel then would that work?
for ease of loading I could put a small blow forward breech but that can come later if this works with just a barrel.

all comments welcome

Dave

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:06 pm
by SEAKING9006
This idea has been explored a number of times, with mixed results. It all depends on your skill with the tools you have available, your knowledge of the nail gun you are going to be modifying, and the design of the nail gun itself. It will be tricky, especially trying to attach it to a gun of some sort, but it can be done.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:11 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Just graft a barrel in place and you have a powerful single shot gun already - epoxy helps ;) the blow-forward mechanism isn't too hard to make, though make sure it's durable.

The reason my blow-forward/nailgun combination failed was because it was too powerful :? the bolt was driven forward with enough force to destroy the mechanism. I could have repaired it of course, but I was more interested in full auto.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:12 pm
by Dave_424
thenks for the reply, I feel as though I might be able to pull it off, I have access to machining (lathes, milling machines, drill presses ect) so I fell confident in doing so

dave

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:15 pm
by SEAKING9006
If you have access to those kinds of machines, I'd say go for it, because there's no reason you shouldn't be able to make a system that works right near perfectly with all those tools. Hell, with that stuff, you don't even need a nail gun, you could probably set up your own bolt!


*sigh* What I wouldn't do for machine tools....

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:16 pm
by Brian the brain
I have done just that and for those who pay attention, it is now hacked apart and the old main body serves as a buttplate on my deathray MP.


When the piston is taken out, all you are left with is essentially a blowgun.
The piston makes it pop forward and back, without it all action is gone.

The only option is to attach a piston to the front of the "striker" and make that function like the piston in a breakbarrel airgun.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:23 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Dave_424 wrote:I have access to machining (lathes, milling machines, drill presses etc)
In that case, forget the epoxy, you're sorted ;)

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:24 pm
by Dave_424
Could this be due to the nail gun that you used?
do you think that diffrent manufacturers have diffrent designs like sprinkler valves?
I could try just teking the striker out but if that fails then what you are saying is that if I made a cylinder and put a plunger on the end of the striker.
would this be enough power to propel a bb at 500+ fps?

thanks dave

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:29 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
When the piston is taken out, all you are left with is essentially a blowgun.
The piston makes it pop forward and back, without it all action is gone.
I disagree there - if you take out the striking piston, what you have is a coaxial pnematic - my original blow-forward breech was working great with a blowgun, but look what happened when I attached it to the nailgun :?
would this be enough power to propel a bb at 500+ fps?
Air directly from the nailer will do this easily, it was the performace I was getting with my project even with a destroyed breech.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:30 pm
by SEAKING9006
.... You don't want to send a BB at 500+ fps, unless you're going to be using this thing for self defense. 500 is just about the upper end of the acceptable velocity spectrum for airsoft. Granted, it is VERY desirable in long distance sniping, I wouldn't shoot anyone up close with it. And with a sniper, this is only one of your problems. I'd also start thinking about accuracy as well as cycling the action, so you might also want to start looking at tightbore barrels and a hop up unit.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:32 pm
by Brian the brain
It might be different.
I work at a wholesaler for construction products, and I have not seen one that worked differently.

But, I'm European, so things might be different in other places.

No idea about the speed of a bb, but remember...it can drive a nail into solid wood

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:36 pm
by Gippeto
Why not? When I was your age we used actual pellet rifles. Over the counter 495fps in .177 .

When you expose yourself to getting shot, it SHOULD hurt.

Not suggesting it was a smart thing to do though. :wink:

But airsoft didn't exist, and paintball was for "city folk".

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:40 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Brian the brain wrote:But, I'm European, so things might be different in other places.
So am I ;p

As far as I know this is how all pneumatic nailers work (as per the how-stuff-works diagram), what make and model was yours?
Why not? When I was your age we used actual pellet rifles. Over the counter 495fps in .177
Kids today, such pussies eh?

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:54 pm
by Gippeto
You know you screwed up when you have to dig a crosman wadcutter out of your own arm with a barlow pocket knife. :withstupid:

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:59 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Pah! You dig them out?

Pussy.

:D