TBMA-230 Oxy/Propylene Piston Hybrid

[SpudBlaster15]

TBMA-230 - Thermobaric Mass Accelerator, 230in³

I really want more videos of this launcher, it deserves it's own thread with only pictures and videos..

As you wish...

This launcher is nearing completion, so I decided to start a new thread with all the up to date pictures and videos in the first post. It functions near flawlessly with compressed air as the oxidizer supply, but air/O₂ mixtures have been causing some issues. Hopefully the addition of more robust ball valves to the chamber volume isolation system has solved these issues.

Specifications

Launcher Configuration: Over/Under
Chamber: Galvanized steel/malleable iron construction, 2.067" inside diameter, ~25" length, 85in³ volume
Barrel: Solid core ABS construction, 1.6" inside diameter, 72" length, 145in³ volume
Valve: 1.6" porting piston valve with o-ring sealed steel piston and spool valve venting system
Loading: 2" Aluminum cam-lock fittings
Fueling Setup: Volumetric meter w/integrated air and oxygen fill ports (Air through meter design), 3000PSI rated steel meter isolation ball valve
Fuel: Onboard propylene cylinder
Oxidizer: Compressed air, onboard oxygen, or any combination thereof
Ignition: 12kV HV power supply with dual ignition safety switches and LED indicators, homemade 1/8" NPT spark plug
Venting: Pressurized air exhausting system w/3000PSI rated steel chamber ball valve
Mixes attempted: 5x - 11x air/propane, 14.7PSI O₂/14.7PSI air/28.2% propylene
Estimated Performance: 3500ft-lbs energy, 800FPS for a 160g D cell round @ 6x air/propane; ~4000ft-lbs energy, >850FPS for the same round @ 14.7PSI O₂/14.7PSI air/28.2% propylene

EDIT: New pictures are up.

[FighterAce]

Man o man what would the sea shepards give to get their hands on this baby and whoop some japanese whaling @*$

[Gun Freak]

Man o man what would the sea shepards give to get their hands on this baby and whoop some japanese whaling @*$

AMEN! :occasion5:

@SB, glad you decided to make a new thread.

[Mr.Sandman]

I'll be honest, I chose the pengun option . You should fire a cloud of 4.5 mm bbs or 6mm ball bearings at a wooden target. Im curious as to how much marbles spread at say 30 meters?

[MrCrowley]

We really need a video of you firing this thing. What the hell is your piston face, by the way?

[SpudFarm]

You stun me once again! When will this ever stop?

This is getting so FU**I*G good! You really need to get a EX-F1 and get some good videos of this launcer, the recoil would probably look great in high speed video.

You have taken a good idèa and turned it into a perfect one!
The next thing on my wish list is that you put some time into making effective projectiles. Something with properties, like penetration and ONLY penetration or velocity and ONLY velocity. Something with a purpose.

I would like to see a 1cm plate penetrated with a handheld launcer. I think you are perfectly able to do that with this launcer, even from some distance.
If you decide to try this, the camera angle should be so that you see the back of the plate and you shooting.

I'm sorry I spent little time on the forum, new school, new scedules..

Great job!

[ramses]

My EX-F1 is currently (hopefully) on it's way back from hong kong. Unfortunately, the model has been discontinued, so the price is increasing.

The gun is pretty epic, I can't wait to see damage pics.

[SpudBlaster15]

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[Moonbogg]

Bravo! Not much to say other than this is a very impressive accomplishment. Good work.

[SpudBlaster15]

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[Gun Freak]

That sucks, what a waste of money... but hydraulics are no cheaper, lol. Do you plan to upload the video tonight or tomorrow?

[SpudBlaster15]

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[Gun Freak]

In the long run you will save money just buying the better valve, because eventually the seal will wear out to the point where you need to buy another one right?

[POLAND_SPUD]

Also, I may have solved the ball valve failure issue

wouldn''t a simple check valve help? better yet you could put some wire mesh and/or steel wool between the check valve and the BV to cool the gases

[SpudBlaster15]

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