Leaf blower powered vortex airsoft gun...?

Pete Zaria · Sun Jul 02, 2006 4:10 am

So I have a spare gas-powered leaf blower laying around. I was thinking about the way that vortex-style airsoft guns operate, and was wondering if a leaf blower (Being a very high-volume but low-pressure air source) could power one. My idea is to build a 3-barreled vortex block, powered by a leaf blower, with the vortex block and barrels enclosed in a length of 4” pipe. Here’s a rough sketch of my idea.
I figure since I already have the leaf blower and 4” pipe, all I need is some bondo, ball valves, and barrel material.
Let me know if you think the high-volume idea is bullcrap and won’t shoot very far.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

)DEMON( · Sun Jul 02, 2006 7:42 am

The barrels would have to be next to each other,not on top of each other or else one barrel will get all the ammo and the others would just let air escape.

Rambo · Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:48 am

You better use your mouth.The presure will be much grater.

Atlantis · Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:55 am

Maybe if you funnel the air before the vortex, it will make the pressure higher.

Shrimphead · Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:40 pm

Rambo, have you ever used a gas leaf blower? The average models blow the air 200 mph. I think it will work fine.

Pete Zaria · Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:03 pm

OK, so it seems like the concept will work.

If you guys wouldn't mind helping me fine-tune the design a bit before I build it, that'd be great.

I plan to have the three barrels in a tight triangle (touching eachother), each tapped into the vortex block.

Should the air enter the vortex block from the bottom, or from the side facing the engine?

What's the best way to cut off the flow of BB's (when you want to stop firing)?

How big should the vortex block be? I'm going to make a 4" x 4" "plug" out of bondo to carve the vortex block out of.

What size pipe is correct for 6mm airsoft BBs?

Do you forsee any problems in building this?

Thanks a ton, everyone.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

djt · Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:08 pm

6mm airsoft bbs fit almost perfectly in brakeline.

Pete Zaria · Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:13 pm

What size brakeline?

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

)DEMON( · Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:25 pm

OK,if you want 3 barrels then you have 3 different chambers with a vortex in each.That will give you the best preformance.You will have to custom design a special vortex block to get your first idea to work.(because you would have to get the flow right for the barrels)

singularity · Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:40 pm

5/16 brake line i think (wat im using at least)

saladtossser · Sun Jul 02, 2006 6:44 pm

you got the vortex block all wrong... and if u want three barrel side by side, they have to be on a horizontal plane

singularity · Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:41 am

won't the ammo just be used by the outer 2 barrels, how would you make a vortex block like that, wouldnt it lose its integrity, pretty sweet idea though with a leaf blower you wouldnt have to carry around an air compressor then

Benny · Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:48 am

use a cloud:
Cloud:
Pros: easy to build, just as effective as a vortex, no parts need replacing.
cons: cant think of any.
Vortex:
pros: they look cool.

cons: parts need replacing, not as effective as cloud, hard to build.

Pete Zaria · Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:27 am

Thanks for the replys, guys.

Care to draw up a quick mspaint sketch of a leaf blower-powered cloud BBMG?

Peace,
Pete Zaria.