BrainStorming - Few Questions

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.
BlackWater18
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:47 pm

Alright, I just recently got my allowance. And of course it is burning a hole in my pocket. So I want to build a "Sniper". But there are a few questions I have.

Now I want to use a Sprinkler Valve, I'm not to enthused to go and try and figure out a QEV right now.

So,
1) I would like to use a Copper barrel but I am not sure if I could get a copper barrel while using a sprinkler valve, so is it possible to use a copper barrel with a Sprinkler Valve. If so, a hint would be nice.

2) Then for those of you who have "snipers" what size barrel would you suggest, I guess that is relative to the above question though.


Thanks, if you care once I figure out a few things I could post some rough plans.

-BlackWater18
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Hotwired
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:55 pm

1) :

Use a sprinkler with threaded sockets and have a screwed fitting on the copper

Have any kind of sprinkler, attach plastic pipe and fit the copper inside that, perhaps in a bolt fashion.

2) : I'd never call what I have a sniper even though it looks more firearm-ish than most but less than 1" is the general theme.

I wouldn't be too quick to shy away from the QEV possibility, they have three ports just like a pneumatic sprinkler and have less operating problems. In fact I can't think of any.
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Isomer
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:13 pm

I doubt you can build an entire gun with your allowance unless it's like monthly, prices are cheap, or you get a ton of allowance but here goes.

1) threaded fittings are universal (at least here), so find some way to use those
2) i like .5" barrels because of the lesser weight and the smaller bore looks like a sniper

a QEV is just as easy as a sprinkler, just with three ports (you have to drill the extra "port" into a sprinkler valve anyway). The one problem with a QEV is price or possibly flow, but those are not really with operating problems.
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Sparkie
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:24 pm

Personally I am a fan of any tube which shoots marbles. I am in Australia so I find 3/4" Electrical conduit works the best as the pipe is 3/4" on the outside of the pipe which makes it ideal for marbles. About 5/8"?16mm(sorry not good with American measurements yet) inside diameter should be fairly good.
BlackWater18
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:15 pm

Alright, that helps alot.

@Isomer- The Allowance puts me at $200 I should have added that part in. So me tinks I might have enough.

I guess I will really have to look into that QEV again. See exactly how to set it up.

With a Bolt action setup, you would most likely need O rings or some form of seal. I'm just thinking out loud. So how would you work that in? I'm thinking you could use a reducer and put a O ring in the end of that, and a O Ring around the tubing going in? Correct me if I'm wrong, or you have a better idea.

Or I was looking at a Threaded fitting a little way into the tubing and then having some Tees set up so it could slide through easily. Again if you know a more efficient way to do it let me know plz.

Also which do you think would be a more economical way to do it?


Thanks

-BlackWater18
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daberno123
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:38 pm

with $200 you can easily afford a QEV.

Look on mcmaster.com for them. They're on page 957 of the catalog, you'll want the rightt angle kind.
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potatoflinger
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:25 pm

I would definitely go with a QEV if I were you, they are a lot easier than a sprinkler valve to set up, since you don't have to mod them. Also, my favorite barrel is .5", since it works for darts, steel stock slugs, and marbles (most marbles don't fit a .5" barrel, but the ones that do fit pretty tightly, so they work a little better).
It's hard to soar with eagles when you're working with turkeys.
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origin unknown
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 8:42 pm

I'll link you to a page with some fairly cheap QEV's: http://www.fastenal.com/web/products.ex ... m_search=1
Go with a 1/2" or a 3/4" QEV. This company can also ship to your door, or you can go to a near location to pick your item up as I have personally bought a QEV from them for one of my cannons.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 - What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
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potatoflinger
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:09 pm

origin unknown wrote:I'll link you to a page with some fairly cheap QEV's: http://www.fastenal.com/web/products.ex ... m_search=1
Go with a 1/2" or a 3/4" QEV. This company can also ship to your door, or you can go to a near location to pick your item up as I have personally bought a QEV from them for one of my cannons.
That's the place where I bought both of my QEV's. They are pretty reasonable, but don't go for the 1" QEV, it's almost 150 dollars for some reason...
It's hard to soar with eagles when you're working with turkeys.
BlackWater18
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Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:44 pm

Alright, so theres an outstanding vote for the QEV. I think I know a guy who can get me one for only a few bucks. So I had the Sprinkler Valve figured out. Now I have to wrap my head around the QEV concept.

Can I still use a BlowGun to trigger the valve?

And I'm assuming I can still use PVC? So I can still use a Schrader valve?

I Looked at the Wiki page on the valve and I was wondering which way you would have the valve hooked up? Which ports go where? (Chamber, Pilot valve, and barrel.)

I'm hoping I get this right, Port 1 is where you fill the chamber, Port 2 goes into the chamber and Port 3 is towards the barrel?


Thanks,

-BlackWater18
Last edited by BlackWater18 on Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
nivekatoz
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:55 am

You can get a 3/4" QEV on ebay. I think its a buy it now option for like 29-or 30 $$$ plus shipping.........You have to search for (quick exaust valve) you have to type it all out in order to find it.....not just qev... :salute:
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origin unknown
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:01 pm

Different brands are made different ways. Find an already completed gun in the showcase section that has the same QEV you have on it and look at how they set up theirs to determine which port is what. Yes, you can use PVC for a QEV, though in my opinion it doesn't look as cool as metal. You can use a blowgun to trigger the valve and and you can use a schrader valve or any fill valve on the pilot side of the QEV only.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 - What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
BlackWater18
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:20 pm

Alright, Thanks

I went through some cannons and got it all sorted out now. In a day or 2 I will post plans. See if everything lines up the way it should.
OuchProgramme
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Tue Jan 29, 2008 7:32 pm

BlackWater18 wrote: 1) I would like to use a Copper barrel but I am not sure if I could get a copper barrel while using a sprinkler valve, so is it possible to use a copper barrel with a Sprinkler Valve. If so, a hint would be nice.


Very possible. I myself am currently working on a sprinkler valve w/ copper-*brass*- piping. Just buy a nipple that'll fit your copper piping
I used a union because my barrel is 6mm. Thread it on and you're good to go.
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