Pneumatics: Without Expensive Tools

[mako]

Hey, guys. I got my propane hammer valve working properly today!! It's the first airgun I've managed to get to the point of real functionality and I'm pretty excited. A little of the success is due to hard-headed unwillingness to give up, but most of it goes to all the guys on here who posted their own designs and guns.

Which got me thinking: most of the guns on Spudfiles fall into two categories. 1 - the 'ghetto' style, working with whatever is available. 2 - the machine shop guns, that look like they've come from a factory.

Now, these categories both have their advantages. Working with limited resources and tools tends to foster highly creative solutions, while access to materials and equipment allows for finer and more precise parts. Personally, I prefer lathed and machined airguns, mostly because I'm less interested in tinkering and experimenting than I am in functioning airsoft guns. But since I don't have metal-working machinery, I usually end up with the 'ghetto' version. Recently, though, I've gotten a little better at using the tools I have.

So, here's the deal; this thread is for 'how-to' posts on using tools in unconventional ways to get results that you would normally need expensive tools. Feel free to chip in, preferably with lots of photos. The idea is to combine the work-with-what-you-have hobbyist approach with some of the accuracy and appearance of machined parts.



P.S. I'll try to get one up, but I won't be able to do anything until Saturday, so you guys feel free to start it off. Doing a single 'how-to' per post should keep it easy to find different methods.

[bravootome]

well, i made my guns with only a drill and a "flex".
There are already made parts just good to put them together and make a high performance airgun as for example an car fire extinguisher, with only few modifications on it it can become a great gun. My latest tests was 25 joules power with a 0.86 grams bb, and 750-850 fps speed. I say it's good for a fire extinguisher.

As for proper tool, i can only imagine what gun i can make.....i am pretty sure i would copy any factory made gun i like.

[Technician1002]

May want to look at ones in my sig. Most expensive machine shop tool was purchased brand new for under $100. My ABS cannon and Mouse Musket didn't even use any power tools.

[Brian the brain]

Under 20 bucks, maybe even cheaper:




Although I did use a lathe, it could have been done without it.
I also used a powerdrill and a grinder.
I could have used a file and a hacksaw instead.

Made this with handtools.File and sandpaper:

[mako]

All very cool stuff, guys! However, I was aiming for a more "how-to" demonstration approach, so newbies can find a thread with lots of really specific information.

Bravootome, what do you mean by "a flex"?

Technician1002, those are some scary-size airchambers!

Brian... you ARE aware that you consistently put the rest of us to shame, right? Particularly your later versions of "Old Shatterhand". I think maybe I need to put a link to that thread on here, just so newbies can see that hand-made airguns can be WAY cooler than factory built!

[bravootome]

Bravootome, what do you mean by "a flex"?



"Flex" is the electric tool with that rotary disk used to cut metal.......Flex we call it in my country but google couln't translate it...
Anyhow they dint used this stuff back on "Girandony" airgun...

[Gippeto]

Allow me to introduce Wallace Gusler...The gunsmith of Williamsburg. Not airguns, but skills are skills none the less. Tools are hand made, the rifle is made with the tools, a level of skill and craftsmanship rarely seen these days.

[Brian the brain]

Thank you Gipetto!


I was in heaven for 58 minutes watching that video...
30 minutes of wich seemed very familiar

[mako]

Same here, Brian!! Man, that guy was a genius with metal. Where did you find that, Gipetto?

Question: his use of brass was fairly liberal. I was under the impression that it's not a very strong metal, but it looks like he was using it in some high-stress areas...

[Gippeto]

It's been a while since I've watched the whole video...first saw it on tv 25-30 years ago. Lucked into it on youtube a couple years back. Always good as a reminder of what can be accomplished by a determined individual.

Barrel and breech plug are steel...the rest of the parts have limited stress...brass not a problem.

[mako]

Totally cool. His work on the trigger mech was beautiful.

I knew the barrel was steel, but I noticed that the dovetailed locking pieces were brass. Seems like they'd shear off under the recoil.