Diaphram gets stuck down (modded sprinkler valve)
I created a pneumatic spudgun with a 3/4 in. LawnGenie sprinkler valve on it (with guide rod.) Because of the guide rod, I inserted the blowgun beside the guide rod, which was on the edge of the innermost hole. My gun worked perfectly until recently, shooting the handle of a shovel through 1 in wood! Now everytime I shoot the diaphragm gets stuck down, so the air just leaks by it until I open up the valve, unstick the diaphragm, and reassemble the darned thing. Can anyone help me with this problem? Can I just remove the guide rod?
- clemsonguy1125
- Sergeant 5
- Posts: 1485
- Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 4:00 pm
- Location: East Coast
Don't remove the guide rod, did you lose the spring at any point?
That is all.
You might try just a little bit of grease. I have only worked with valves without a valve guide, but to me it sounds like a bit of bearing/lithium grease work work well.
"physics, gravity, and law enforcement are the only things that prevent me from operating at my full potential" - not sure, but i like the quote
you know you are not an engineer if you have to remind yourself "left loosy righty tighty"
you know you are not an engineer if you have to remind yourself "left loosy righty tighty"
I was going to suggest cleaning it as well. Also, make sure that the spring is not binding up when it is being fired.hi wrote:You might try just a little bit of grease. I have only worked with valves without a valve guide, but to me it sounds like a bit of bearing/lithium grease work work well.
- Pyro Ninja
- Specialist 3
- Posts: 351
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:11 am
- Location: Australia
I had the same problem with the diaphragm not reseating properly and constantly had to open the valve and reseat the diaphragm manually.
I found out that the bottom of the diaphragm was catching on a tiny lip where it seats, so I sanded the lip off and smoothed it over with a fine grit abrasive paper. After I removed the lip it worked consistently well.
And yes, don't remove the guide rod as than the equalisation hole will be too large.
I found out that the bottom of the diaphragm was catching on a tiny lip where it seats, so I sanded the lip off and smoothed it over with a fine grit abrasive paper. After I removed the lip it worked consistently well.
And yes, don't remove the guide rod as than the equalisation hole will be too large.