Sprinkler Solenoid Hole Plug

[Erlex]

I had made an awesome pneumatic gun that shot paint balls (paint ball sniper if you will) with a 1" Rainbird sprinkler valve, exactly like the one on the video tutorial on this forum. It had already gone through two sprinkler valves before I figured out how they work enough not to break them in the process of modding them. I followed the tutorial exactly, and when the gun was finished there was a massive leak out where I had plugged the solenoid hole with epoxy puddy. I got one shot out of it at 40 PSI. After multiple tries to plug it, to no avale, I had to give up and scrap the whole gun. What should I have used to plug the hole? I obviously did something very wrong because I have never heard of anyone having the same problem.

This is the video if you don't know what I am talking about-> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... &plindex=0

[mopherman]

Did you fill it completely with epoxie? There is ecualy 2 hoes in the solenoid place that need to be filled. Maybe next time you could just leave the solenoid in?

[Erlex]

Yeah, I filled it completely full and more. There was epoxy everywhere (yes, in my hair as well, not fun) I probably just should of left that d*mn solenoid in. But it was too late on the other valve because then it would have gotten in the way of my trigger.

[SpudUke5]

Its better to epoxy it, then let it dry and it should be good.

EDIT: Try using plumbers epoxy and let it harden well for a day (24hrs) or longer.

[Erlex]

So what your saying is that 5 hours is not a safe wait time?

[BigJon]

Open the valve up and find the pilot hole on the inside (it should be really tiny) and fill that small hole with super glue. I had this happening with my sprinkler valve once and it worked because the epoxy i used was so thick that it fill the pilot hole completely.

[Erlex]

The problem was not my ability to find the pilot hole, it was finding a material strong enough to plug it.

[BigJon]

Ok but what type of epoxy are you using?

[Erlex]

Its a putty that is meant for repairing leaks in PVC. Not sure if it is rated for pressure. The guy at home depot told me it should work!

[mopherman]

Its a putty that is meant for repairing leaks in PVC. Not sure if it is rated for pressure. The guy at home depot told me it should work!

Fist rule of spudgunnery: The dudes at home depot may know how to finish your deck, but they know nothing of spudgun construction materials.

[Ragnarok]

That's the FIRST rule. The fist rule is you punch the dude that follows you round because he thinks you're nicking fittings for an illegal artillery piece.

@Erlex: No, 5 hours is not sufficient. In general, if it's going to be holding pressure, you need to wait at least a full day ...

... unless you're like me and you use soldered copper - then just waiting a mere 10 minutes for the solder to cool is fine.
In short, if it's a metal joint, 10 minutes cooling is fine. Plastic joints and glues need a lot longer.

[grumpy]

this is what you need, in home depo in the paint section they have an isle with all the glue and you will find this it works very well. even though it says 5 minute you should still let it cure 24 hrs.

[MrCrowley]

Try some JB weld, leave it for at least a full day.

Side note:

It recommends 24 hours, but i've always had a small leak occur after 24 hours, so now I leave it for 3 days and I haven't had a problem since.

[Erlex]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone.

[BigGrib]

personally i prefer the loctite 5 minute set because one side is clear and one side is yellow and i can tell if the portions are equal