Need help getting Semi consistantly.....

Show us your pneumatic spud gun! Discuss pneumatic (compressed gas) powered potato guns and related accessories. Valve types, actuation, pipe, materials, fittings, compressors, safety, gas choices, and more.
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Fri May 28, 2010 9:11 pm

Guys,

Just played with my first build..... a cannon very similar to http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/my-seco ... 20966.html

It is for shooting marshmallows in the yard with my son. We have been having a blast tonight with it. However, I have one problem....

It will Semi-auto without any ammo but if shot for real, I has to have the barrel sealed to allow the piston to slide forward. I made sure the sliding area was really slippery and smooth and the felt fits just perfectly I think. The piston will slide under its own weight.

I am going to make another one similar but want to work out my bugs first.....


Help?????


Barry
User avatar
Gun Freak
Lieutenant 5
Lieutenant 5
Posts: 4971
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:38 pm
Location: Florida
Been thanked: 7 times

Fri May 28, 2010 9:12 pm

I don't understand what you're asking... can you clarify the question?
OG Anti-Hybrid
One man's trash is a true Spudder's treasure!
Golf Ball Cannon "Superna"M16 BBMGPengunHammer Valve Airsoft SniperHigh Pressure .22 Coax
Holy Shat!
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Fri May 28, 2010 9:30 pm

I am sorry....

When I "dry fire" the gun, the piston will re-seal the barrel every time and "semi-auto" but when I put in ammo and fire it, the piston won't seal the barrel. I have to place my hand over the end of the barrel and build up pressure and release for the piston the seat.

Barry
User avatar
Gun Freak
Lieutenant 5
Lieutenant 5
Posts: 4971
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:38 pm
Location: Florida
Been thanked: 7 times

Fri May 28, 2010 9:37 pm

Oh ok... I had the same exact problem with my coaxial launcher, but whatever you do, don't load it then cover the muzzle with your hand! Especially with a faulty piston. It may just be a marshmallow, but Technician puts them through car doors. I never found out exactly what the problem was, but what is the piston made of?

EDIT Have you tried adding a weak spring? That will help seal it semi-automatically.
Last edited by Gun Freak on Fri May 28, 2010 9:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
OG Anti-Hybrid
One man's trash is a true Spudder's treasure!
Golf Ball Cannon "Superna"M16 BBMGPengunHammer Valve Airsoft SniperHigh Pressure .22 Coax
Holy Shat!
User avatar
clemsonguy1125
Sergeant 5
Sergeant 5
Posts: 1485
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:00 pm
Location: East Coast

Fri May 28, 2010 9:39 pm

Do you have a spring, if not that may help
That is all.
User avatar
irisher
Specialist 4
Specialist 4
Posts: 420
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:53 am

Fri May 28, 2010 9:39 pm

I have to place my hand over the end of the barrel and build up pressure

I could see where that could be problem. Are you filling it fast enough? On a burst disk of mine it would leak at low pressure but would seal at higher pressure. So I had to create a pressure spike on mine, this could be solution to your problem.
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Fri May 28, 2010 9:54 pm

I could come up with a spring but I don't know if that is my problem. I will try it if need be.

The one I am basing it on works down to 20 lbs PSI and I have been playing at 40-60 PSI today. I am running with a constant connection to my air compressor.

Maybe I need a larger chamber or flow from the chamber. I am currently using a 2L. bottle for the chamber glued to a 1" fitting.

Would a larger chamber and connection fittings help the piston to "blow" closed easier? Maybe this is my problem. The cannon I based this on used a 3L bottle and I bet that has a larger mouth and greater flow...... Am I on to something here?


barry[/url]
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Fri May 28, 2010 9:59 pm

Gun Freak wrote:.....but whatever you do, don't load it then cover the muzzle with your hand! Especially with a faulty piston. It may just be a marshmallow, but Technician puts them through car doors. I never found out exactly what the problem was, but what is the piston made of?.

I always cover the muzzle first and then carefully load it. I have plenty of real guns and play safely....... I didn't get to 40 years of age by being stupid. :wink:

The piston is made from a 1 1/4" coupling with a small block of wood glued in one end. The seal is 2" rubber glued to the end after the face was sanded flat and true. The travel is just under 1" from open to closed.
User avatar
chinnerz
Specialist 4
Specialist 4
Posts: 470
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:08 am

Fri May 28, 2010 9:59 pm

does your ammo seal in the barrel??
if so, i think your pilot and chamber are equalising too fast, and pressure is the same on both sides which results in little piston movement.... i think..

If this is the case, maybe a tighter fitting piston, a higher initial pressure spike (a few fast pump form a hand pump) or a weak spring may help.
Image
User avatar
Gippeto
First Sergeant 3
First Sergeant 3
Venezuela
Posts: 2503
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:14 am
Location: Soon to be socialist shit hole.
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 17 times

Donating Members

Sat May 29, 2010 12:31 am

Sounds like the piston is bouncing closed without the added back pressure of the projectile. ie. recompressing pilot volume combined with rapid depressurization of the chamber, is reversing the direction of piston travel.

The piston should not slide under its own weight.

What are you using for a pilot valve, and where are you introducing the air from your compressor?
"It could be that the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others" – unknown

Liberalism is a mental disorder, reality is it's cure.
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Sat May 29, 2010 8:45 pm

Gippeto wrote:Sounds like the piston is bouncing closed without the added back pressure of the projectile. ie. recompressing pilot volume combined with rapid depressurization of the chamber, is reversing the direction of piston travel.

The piston should not slide under its own weight.

What are you using for a pilot valve, and where are you introducing the air from your compressor?
Well.... Actually the piston doesn't slide when the pilot side is sealed. The felt seal around the piston and the vacuum hold it in place. When it was just in the housing, it would slide under its own weight. I was trying to make it a smooth and slippery fit. I can re-apply the felt seal and get a tighter fit.

My pilot valve is a Rain Bird 1" sprinkler valve.

I have a chamber on a 90 deg. elbow that screws into the bottom of the 2" Tee Piston valve. The air inlet is a air hose barb that is screwed into the bottom of the elbow.... just below the chamber.

Image
Last edited by BearMan on Sat May 29, 2010 8:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Sat May 29, 2010 8:45 pm

deleted....
Last edited by BearMan on Sat May 29, 2010 8:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Sat May 29, 2010 8:47 pm

Gippeto wrote:Sounds like the piston is bouncing closed without the added back pressure of the projectile. ie. recompressing pilot volume combined with rapid depressurization of the chamber, is reversing the direction of piston travel.

The piston should not slide under its own weight.

What are you using for a pilot valve, and where are you introducing the air from your compressor?
Well.... Actually the piston doesn't slide when the pilot side is sealed. The felt seal around the piston and the vacuum hold it in place. When it was just in the housing, it would slide under its own weight. I was trying to make it a smooth and slippery fit. I can re-apply the felt seal and get a tighter fit.

My pilot valve is a Rain Bird 1" sprinkler valve.

Look at the pics here....

http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/my-seco ... 20966.html

I have a chamber on a 90 deg. elbow that screws into the bottom of the 2" Tee Piston valve. The air inlet is a air hose barb that is screwed into the bottom of the elbow.... just below the chamber.

Mine is very similar to this..... My air barb is on the bottom of the elbow pointing toward the piston and tee......

Image
User avatar
Gun Freak
Lieutenant 5
Lieutenant 5
Posts: 4971
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:38 pm
Location: Florida
Been thanked: 7 times

Sat May 29, 2010 8:49 pm

Why the tripple blank post?
OG Anti-Hybrid
One man's trash is a true Spudder's treasure!
Golf Ball Cannon "Superna"M16 BBMGPengunHammer Valve Airsoft SniperHigh Pressure .22 Coax
Holy Shat!
BearMan
Private
Private
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 8:39 pm

Sat May 29, 2010 8:51 pm

Well.... Actually the piston doesn't slide when the pilot side is sealed. The felt seal around the piston and the vacuum hold it in place. When it was just in the housing, it would slide under its own weight. I was trying to make it a smooth and slippery fit. I can re-apply the felt seal and get a tighter fit.

My pilot valve is a Rain Bird 1" sprinkler valve.

Look at the pics here....

The air ishttp://www.spudfiles.com/forums/my-seco ... 20966.html

I have a chamber on a 90 deg. elbow that screws into the bottom of the 2" Tee Piston valve. The air inlet is a air hose barb that is screwed into the bottom of the elbow.... just below the chamber.
Post Reply