So. Close.
I got my quote back for the aluminum and UHMW plates. With tax it comes out to $99.89. Not bad considering it's 6 different pieces from two different materials.
They are officially on order, and I'm hoping they will be ready next week!
I also ordered a new 0-30psi pressure gauge, the 3/4 nut for the purge cylinder and the two valve actuators from Clippard.
Also, last night I soldered and pre-wired the ignition button.
All that is left is some minor hole drilling, ordering the aluminum extrusion, and collecting the fasteners.
My wife is due any minute, and I have a feeling that I'll be putting this together during my paternity leave.
Just for jollies here's another model pic!!
Edit:
Here is what the actuators look like:
Update:
The aluminum plates are done and ready for pickup!! Unfortunately, The UHMW plates won't be done until Friday or Monday.
I've given the purchasing agent my aluminum extrusion shopping list. Hopefully that stuff will come in by Friday too!!
Edit:
Now that I am in the final stretch, I'm trying to decide what color to paint my plates. I could leave them raw sanded aluminum, which looks good, or I can add a splash of color. Also I'd like a color that says "I'm badass" at the same time is says "I'm totally not a firearm" so the ATF does not show up after I shoot this thing in my backyard.
The red ties in the already anodized grip.
The yellow would allow me to put yellow and black striped safety tape down the sides of the barrel making it look totally industrial.
The pink screams....I don't know. It sure would be funny though.
Edit: 03/30/2009
I now have the aluminum plates, the UHMW pusher and ball guide in my possession. I don't think my 80/20 parts are going to come in today though.
Edit:
Editing sucks. I'm dropping the pics but no one is listening. Someone bump this. Then again, aluminum propane tennis ball repeaters are so last year.
Also:
What now?
Edit: 20090401
My aluminum extrusion has arrived. Assembly begins tonight.
Muhahahahaaa
Edit: 20090403
The cannon has been fired.
No pictures. I was up again until 1:30 working on it. No time to play photographer.
It shoots, but it's wildly inconsistent. One shot it goes "phissssssh"-"damn" and the ball drops out the end, and another goes "BLAAAAAAM!!!!"-"HOLY F****** DONKEY CRAB MEAT D****LE A** PUDDING!!!!" and punches a hole through a double wall cardboard box on the other side of the room. This is where I stopped and turned off the light.
I think it has to do with the oxygen initially in the chamber. After the first shot, the only oxygen is what I inject, the open ball slot and what the bolt displaces when it moves back. Quite a bit when you think about it.
I kept an eye on the metering tank fill pressure (that's how you know how much fuel you are feeding) but I DIDN'T keep an eye on if it was dumping. This morning it looked like the dump valve's actuator line was crimped on the box I was sitting it on. If it was obstructed, the fuel dump valve may not have been operating correctly which may have caused the inconsistencies I experienced. If this does not fix the problem, I may de-couple the air cylinder and operate it and the fueling valves manually.
Despite the problems I am exited about the last shot last night even though I'm pretty sure it destroyed what ever was in that cardboard box.
Lunch Edit:
I got the cannon to fire over lunch today, and man did it fire. Here is the problem though. I have to pump it twice for one ball. Despite trying every metering tank Psi from 5 to 25, I just can't get it to run consistent with one stroke. Running it with TWO strokes however works great: Air, Air+fuel, Air, Air+fuel.
I think it is a volume problem, rather than an A:F problem. I can stroke it 20 time and still get a good shot, but stroking it once just results in failure. I'm going to try reversing the fill/purge valves so it Air+fuels as the bolt is opening, and just blows air as the bolt is closing.
There is also the possibility of using a larger air cylinder with more volume and then upping my fuel amount. The problem with that is that the cracking pressure of my check valves is between 2 and 4 psi. Just to crack the check valves with a 2" bore air cylinder would require almost 10 lb of force. You also have to deal with o-ring friction and the slide guide friction which honestly has been problematic.
Still, it sure is damn skippy when rack this beast and the ball falls right in and then jams into the chamber with satisfying "chick".