My First Metal Gun

[KurlyQ]

My first metal gun I've created.
It's all a product of having too much time on my hands after a day of mid-term finals.

Specs:
Barrel: length: 6" long, 1/4" diameter
Pressure chamber: 4.5" long 1/2" diameter
Valve: 1/4" ball valve

I was wandering around the hardware store, and I was looking to create an extremely small hand held pneumatic spudgun that I could construct in one day, and that was when I came across the steel plumbing parts. I tinkered around a bit, and came up with this. Not too pretty, but it does it's job.
My main problem was finding a way to get a Schrader valve into the pressure chamber. I eventually ended up just shoving a tubeless tire valve into a 1/2" to 3/8" reducer, and putting an o-ring behind it. It holds pressure, but I'm slightly worried about it flying out sometime. has anybody else done this with their design? and if so, is it pressure-worthy?
I'm thinking about making this into a piston gun and putting a longer, skinnier barrel onto it, but that will have to wait.

Also, what pressure do you think I can take this thing too?

[boyntonstu]

My first metal gun I've created.
It's all a product of having too much time on my hands after a day of mid-term finals.

Specs:
Barrel: length: 6" long, 1/4" diameter
Pressure chamber: 1/2" 1/2" diameter
Valve: 1/4" ball valve

I was wandering around the hardware store, and I was looking to create an extremely small hand held pneumatic spudgun that I could construct in one day, and that was when I came across the steel plumbing parts. I tinkered around a bit, and came up with this. Not too pretty, but it does it's job.
My main problem was finding a way to get a Schrader valve into the pressure chamber. I eventually ended up just shoving a tubeless tire valve into a 1/2" to 3/8" reducer, and putting an o-ring behind it. It holds pressure, but I'm slightly worried about it flying out sometime. has anybody else done this with their design? and if so, is it pressure-worthy?
I'm thinking about making this into a piston gun and putting a longer, skinnier barrel onto it, but that will have to wait.

Also, what pressure do you think I can take this thing too?

My cannon without an o ring is good to 500 psi at least.

Make the hole barely large enough to stuff it in there.

[maverik94]

Ok, a few things.
1) I am a big fan of full-metal guns, and even though ball valves don't have great performance, this gun looks like it was a great way for you to learn about construction using metal parts.
2)About puting in the schrader: I would get what's called a "clamp-in schrader", you can get them at most auto parts stores, all you do is drill a hole in the end cap (like you did) remove the nut and steel washer, put the valve in from the inside , with the rubber against the cap. Then you just replace the washer and tighten the nut, and it makes a perfect and safe seal. You really want to do this, it is cheap, easy, and might save you an injury or worse, LEAKING Just kidding, but seriously, do this!
3)

Pressure chamber: 1/2" 1/2" diameter

I am assuming you mean 6" of 1/2" pipe?
4) I would feel confident taking this gun to about.....40 psi, untill you change the schrader. Then I would feel confident taking it to about 400 psi

Overall, a very simple, but clean build. Just change that schrader valve and you should be fine! Happy spudding!

[psycix]

It's simple and reliable, I give you that.

You can take this to a fairly high pressure. 500 psi+

[suburban spudgunner]

A friend of mine made something similar to this...he called it the Power Stick.

I would say your working pressure depends on the schrader valve. I've had them blow out at 200 psi (but that's probably because I bought the cheap ones).

[psycix]

However, blowing out the shrader doesn't trigger the pilot, but simply vents the chamber
Relatively safe if you ask me.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

A friend of mine made something similar to this...he called it the Power Stick.

Are you sure he was talking about a launcher

[maverik94]

I mean, for all I know that could be safe up to 500 psi+, but I just think it would be safer putting in a clamp-in schrader, but do whatever you want, after all, it's your gun man!

[Technician1002]

If you use a tire valve the way it was intended, they hold pressure very well. Get a pipe cap and drill it for the stem with a hole the same size as a rim it is normally installed in.

Here is one I put in a 1/4 inch brass pipe cap. To get it to fit, I had to trim the rubber to a smaller size, but I've not had any trouble. I use this one to 110 PSI with no issues.

[SpudBlaster15]

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[Pascal123]

I think you should turn the T fitting, that the shrader valve is aiming towards so you can not damage the valve if you put the back of the gun on the ground. Also the hole of the fitting were you put your shradervalve in should by much smaller. Just cutt off the big rubber end of the valve if it doesnt fit. I use a shrader valve to and easyly pump it up to 15 bars without issues. Even a bit of force to the valve to disconnect your pump wouldnt be any issue.

I hope you understand me a bit:P, im from the netherlands so you might not understand somethings:P.

gr pascal