pistons diaphrams

[noname]

How thick is it? I'd say a piston has to be at least 1/2" thick, but that's just me.

[Hotwired]

A few mm thick but it doesn't flex it's just a solid plastic shape that flies back and forth.

[Velocity]

The way I see it, whether you build a piston valve or a diaphragm valve really depends on how big of a space you have to store your spudgun.

...what?...

Where you store your spudgun often depends on the barrel, for it it usually the longest piece of pipe on your launcher.

Due to the faster opening time of the diaphragm valve, though it is less complete, a shorter barrel can be used. A longer barrel would not benefit performance as much, for the diaphragm valve does not have great flow.

Due to its greater flow, a piston valve can use very long barrels. A short barrel coupled with a piston valve will yield only "ok" results, for the piston probably has not opened fully and released all of the pressure. However, using a longer barrel will allow the piston valve to release all of the air, giving great results.

In short:

Short Barrel= Diaphragm
Long Barrel= Piston