Would this make a good piston???

[ImHUGEnJAPAN]

<a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj23 ... 081649.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj23 ... 081649.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I was wondering if this would make a good piston

Materials:

2" diam (whatever size I need) round steel Bar stock cut to 1" to 2" length
Old mouse pad cut to proper diameter
Washer
Bolt
Nut
Nerf Ball

See picture on how it goes together.

I will also dril a 1/8" equalization hole in the piston.

The parent company that I work for has a machine shop with tons of scrap bar stock. I can easily cut to lenght any size round bar stock I need.

The nerf ball will be free floating behind the piston to cushion the steel piston from cracking the PVC when it slams back. Is this a bad Idea?

[jrrdw]

Steel is to heavy, 1/8th" eq. hole is to big.

[Gippeto]

I'll agree with jrrdw here.


And add my .02


Nylon is fairly common and much lighter than steel. I've used it with good results.

Skip the equalization hole all together. Put a floating o-ring on the piston instead.

Blind drill the bolt hole and tap it. No need for the nut.

Scrap the nerf ball and use a couple "washers" cut from the mouse pad for a bumper.

[MrCrowley]

No need for an equalization hole if you have no o-rings on the piston.

I'd also put a larger washer on the sealing face otherwise it will get ripped off.

[Stifler69]

Omg thanks soooo soooo much i never really understood the whole concept of piston valves but now i do !!!!!!

[SpudFarm]

he can machine out the back of it so i becomes a thin shell.

[psycix]

Steel is one of the worst piston materials due to the weight.
I'd recommend something like nylon, PVC, or if you really want to use metal: aluminum.

Use something foamy as bumper, but make sure it doesn't constrict pilot valve flow.
Dont make the piston too short, as it might jam sooner because of that.

[ImHUGEnJAPAN]

Thanks for the feedback! I thought steel might be too heavy. I a few other ideas in mind.

Thanks agian!