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The Dangers of a PVC hybrid

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:19 pm
by noname
In my opinion, PVC hybrids are pretty much time bombs, just waiting to go off. This was about the 30th shot, and only at a 2x mixture, but apparently it was too much for the pipe. My friend and I believe that from the stress of the PVC expanding and contracting just a tiny bit, the pipe couldn't take it after a while and blew up. I will never make a PVC hybrid again, and I don't encourage anyone else to either. If you really want the massive power of a hybrid, spend a couple more (literally, not much more) bucks and make from steel, so you can go to extreme mixes without worrying about explosion of the cannon.

http://www.spudfiles.com/spudtech_archi ... php?t=6095

FuzzyScorpion's hybrid blew up at a low mixture, for no apparent reason. It was all Sch 80 PVC.

Lucky13's hybrid blew up as well. It had a couple of Sch 40 fittings, but the pressure generated still should have been under the failure pressure of the parts.


It's just an added safety measure. Use steel or iron for a chamber, and you don't have to worry about any kind of explosion (except the one inside the chamber, duh). It's about the same price as Sch 80 PVC anyway, if not cheaper. You also don't have to worry about faulty solvent welds; just use about 1 foot of teflon tape for every fitting 1/2" or smaller, and silicone sealant for anything larger.
If you do make a PVC hybrid, I wouldn't advise using it at more than a 1.5x mixture for it's whole life span.

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:22 pm
by iPaintball
Oh no! Is that the DevilStick?

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:24 pm
by noname
What I could find of it, yes.

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:35 pm
by hi
ill bet that was pretty spectacular! you werent hurt were you?

i had the same thing happen to a piston valve of mine, but it obviously wasnt a hybrid, it was a valve.

i think we just have to learn that pvc simply isnt made for making cannons... sure its ok for combustions and low pressure pneumatics, but once you take it over about 150 psi then you need a steel or copper chamber. it is only plastic...

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:08 pm
by frankrede
ahhh scary shit right there.

So should I trash my non-remote fire- 4" all sch-80 pvc hybrid?

Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 11:15 pm
by noname
Either that or switch to remote firing, from at least 20 feet away. I'd say limit your mixture to 1.5x, or 2x occasionally. Or just use it as a 150-or-so psi burst disc gun; you'll get insane performance as it is.

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:42 am
by Hotwired
Guess PVC isn't elastic enough to take the shock load of the hybrid combustion then.

Bring on the metal piping.

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:53 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
fork in hell :shock:

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:16 am
by Hailfire753
Geez, I guess my PVC hybrid plans are a no-no then... :cry: .... NOW WHADO I DO!?

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:20 am
by noname
You make it out of steel so you have have fun with 6x + mixtures. :P

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:28 am
by paaiyan
Oh, man, that sucks. How far away were you when it blew?

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:37 am
by noname
Around 3 feet. I was standing next to the barrel though, just in front of the union. I was wondering why nothing left the barrel, and when I looked behind me the back had blown off and there were pieces all over.

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:53 am
by paaiyan
So you weren't hurt then, that's good. Good thing you weren't holding it, lol.

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:55 am
by noname
The damn thing had a 10 foot 1 1/2" barrel! How was I supposed to hold it?!?!

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 12:55 pm
by paaiyan
Well... Telekinesis?