The Result of Being Bored

[Jimmy K]

While waiting for my finger to heal and for some parts for my larger project, I decided to try to make a piston valve (my first). It's a barrel sealing piston valve based in a 2" tee. Nothing too special about it.. after all, I studied a bunch of valves on this site. I'm not really concerned much about performance - as long as the thing works (which it does). It has removable barrels and chambers, a bunch of o-rings, some great kinda-dense-but-kinda-soft foam stuff for a bumper, 1.5" porting, and some other boring stuff.







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[warhead052]

Cool. I like it. Does it make much noise?

[saefroch]

That's pretty huge, and already pretty performance-optimized.

MOAR DATA!!!!

[Technician1002]

Very nice. Well done. Do you have a photo of your bumper?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Ah, boredom... nice job!

You can shave off some weight from the piston though, for example instead of the second and third nuts from the left as spacers, why not use a small section of PVC?

Lower piston weight = better acceleration = faster valve = MOAR POWAH!

[jsefcik]

I have a bolt and washer piston, pretty awesome!!

[Gun Freak]

That piston looks really heavy!! Nice job though!

[evanmcorleytv]

Nice! And let's just hope that THIS one doesn't get confiscated! ALSO. Where are you located? I'd like to meet up sometime, and shoot some cannons! I could bring a couple of mine! (When they're finished that is!)

[mark.f]

Schweet! Couple of obligatory questions...

How does the plug that's bolted in seal? I'm assuming an o-ring but it could be a gasket...

If you can cut o-ring grooves, why not make a lighter piston?

Also, do you have any leaks out the front of that piston? I was plagued by those on my bolt pistons until I figured out I could use a cap nut up front with a small o-ring between it and the washer that hold the sealing face on.

[Jimmy K]

I apologize for not answering sooner. I've been "busy" with school and other stuff.

Where are you located? I'd like to meet up sometime, and shoot some cannons! I could bring a couple of mine!

I'm in the Cincinnati, Ohio area (a little north) but go to school at the Univeristy of Alabama (Tuscaloosa). Where are you at?

How does the plug that's bolted in seal? I'm assuming an o-ring but it could be a gasket...

It's 1/8" gasket material. I cut an oversize circle out and used a small (in diameter) nut to "pull" the edges of the gasket material up and seat against the barrel better.

If you can cut o-ring grooves, why not make a lighter piston?

Sadly, those are not machined grooves. They are free-floating o-rings smashed between two large diameter washers.

Also, do you have any leaks out the front of that piston? I was plagued by those on my bolt pistons until I figured out I could use a cap nut up front with a small o-ring between it and the washer that hold the sealing face on.

Using that gasket material, I didn't have any leaks at first. The material, although it works well, ages quickly and doesn't like oil that much. So lubrication was an issue. As for leaks, the piston was fine.

That piston looks really heavy!! Nice job though!

Sure is. Close to a pound if I remember correctly. That's 9/16" rod you see... I should have used 3/8" or even just made one out of fiberglass and a lathe.

[evanmcorleytv]

I apologize for not answering sooner. I've been "busy" with school and other stuff.

Where are you located? I'd like to meet up sometime, and shoot some cannons! I could bring a couple of mine!

I'm in the Cincinnati, Ohio area (a little north) but go to school at the Univeristy of Alabama (Tuscaloosa). Where are you at?

I'm in Tuscaloosa actually!!