CO2??

[NMEMJCM]

Hello. I have a lot of experience with map gas launchers and want to move onto pneumatics. Im new to the forum, but not the hobby. My question is can a pneumatic cannon be made using a larger c02 canister from a paint ball marker? would it get the sprinkler valve cold? Im sure a cannon has been made with this plan, I just could not find it. Any pointers or links? Im just trying to get away from air compressors and bike pumps. Thanks!!

[McCoytheGreater]

The company Kobalt makes a regulator to attach to any CO2 canister for paintball guns. They sell them at lowes, or you could find one of the same type at Harbor Freight. It reduces the high pressures in the tank to a more manageable psi. I think they can go up to a regulated 220 p.s.i.

[velocity3x]

would it get the sprinkler valve cold?

Yes....cold and brittle.

[irisher]

If you do use Co2 make sure to add a pop-off.

[Hubb]

would it get the sprinkler valve cold?

Yes....cold and brittle.

If the pressure is regulated, the regulators do a good job of fixing this problem. Now, if the pressure is not regulated, the sprinkler valve probably wouldn't survive the first shot.

Now, if you want to see what one could look like...

Courtesy of HazMat.

[NMEMJCM]

so, you would not need a chamber as you would with a "bike pump" style cannon then, .....right? The reg regulates the co2 and the sprinkler valve alows the regulated co2 to pass through it to the barrel. Any tips on how to construct? (pressure and barrel length... ill be shooting tennis balls, and golf balls) I, like most people here, dont want to blow up.

[skyjive]

You will still need a chamber in most cases as the flow from the CO2 bottle through the regulator will not be nearly sufficient to give you a decent shot. If you build up a large volume in a pressure chamber then release it all at once with a fast valve you will get much greater flow and much better results.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Now, if the pressure is not regulated, the sprinkler valve probably wouldn't survive the first shot.

800-odd psi through a valve rated for 150 will likely mean that the valve is the first shot

[rikukiakuchiki777]

800-odd psi through a valve rated for 150 will likely mean that the valve is the first shot

And most of your fingers

[jhalek90]

Do not use co2.

use HPA (High pressure air)

Most paintball stores sell HPA tanks, and are capable of refilling them.
HPA is filled to around 3000psi, opposed to a co2 tank at an average 850 psi.

HPA is no more expensive than co2, and is better than co2 in the fact that is dose not liquefy at all, and is much easier on your gun.

I bought my HPA tank, regulator, all the fittings, ect for $158 usd a few month ago, and i love it.

I currently can regulate my HPA from 1 to 1500 psi.

[D_Hall]

Do not use co2.
use HPA (High pressure air)

As with so many decisions in life, there is no "right" answer. HPA and CO2 each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Most paintball stores sell HPA tanks, and are capable of refilling them.
HPA is filled to around 3000psi, opposed to a co2 tank at an average 850 psi.

And yet, the energy density of CO2 in storage exceeds that for HPA. Also, there are a lot of areas that don't have paintball shops. As such, getting a paintball HPA tank filled may be a non-trivial proposition depending on where somebody lives.

HPA is no more expensive than co2,

Again, that's locationally dependent. Admittedly, it's not something I've tracked closely in recent years, but from back when I played a lot of paintball you could find areas where HPA was actually cheaper and you could find a lot of areas where it was more expensive. A lot seems to hinge on local paintball popularity and the presence of other industries in the area.

and is better than co2 in the fact that is dose not liquefy at all, and is much easier on your gun.

Not relevant for somebody wanting to make a simple spud gun using a sprinkler valve. At any temperature that you're going to want to be outdoors in, there will be ZERO liquification to worry about on the downstream side of your regulator. What's that? The tank could be significantly colder than the ambient temperature if you're using a lot of CO2? That's true... But again, irrelevant with the type of spud gun being discussed.

I currently can regulate my HPA from 1 to 1500 psi.

And 1500 psi is useful with a PVC-based spud gun... how?

Don't get me wrong, if the user has intentions for semi auto designs or high pressure designs or things along those lines, maybe HPA is the better choice. But based on what's been presented, the "advantages" of HPA are irrelevant and the advantages of CO2 start becoming relevant (energy density being #1).

[Hubb]

Thanks for clearing that up D_Hall. So many people are so quick to jump on the bandwagon for HPA. Yeah, it's good, but not necessary.

[hoss.josh]

The company Kobalt makes a regulator to attach to any CO2 canister for paintball guns. They sell them at lowes, or you could find one of the same type at Harbor Freight. It reduces the high pressures in the tank to a more manageable psi. I think they can go up to a regulated 220 p.s.i.

I bought one of these things awhile back and the quality on them is horrible. If you go with this option make sure to get the warranty that goes with it. My first one lasted two 9oz co2 tanks before the regulator stopped working and let over 200 psi into the line.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I bought one of these things awhile back and the quality on them is horrible. If you go with this option make sure to get the warranty that goes with it. My first one lasted two 9oz co2 tanks before the regulator stopped working and let over 200 psi into the line.

It seems to be a fairly common complaint with Kobalt units, perhaps not the value for money they appear to be.

[irisher]

I have both a Kobalt style regulator and a paintball regulator. I think if your going to spend the money go with a paintball reg.( I can use HPA and Co2 )