Vortex block material

[stuffbuilder]

I'm going to try to make a vortex bbmg and have the vortex block designed, but I don't know where I can get the right size piece of material. I checked McMaster, but I would have to buy a large chunk at a higher price. I need at least a 2.5in diameter rod that is 2in long. Something slightly bigger is ok, but I don't want to spend much more money on material that will just be machined away. Any suggestions on what kind of material would be appreciated too, but I would like to use plastic instead of wood, epoxy, or metal

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

For this one I used plastic, and wood, and epoxy

[stuffbuilder]

I can see the advantages to using multiple materials, but I like the simplicity of a single material, especially since I can cut it all out at once on one of the mills at my school

[Gun Freak]

Just use wood, you can reinforce the inside with a piece of pipe, PVC or metal, whatever you want.

[stuffbuilder]

Do the air feed and barrel ports need to be flush with the vortex hole? I would think that if this were the case it would be easier to accomplish with one piece of material

[Gun Freak]

[Goats spudz]

aluminium? lightweight, strong, reliable

[Zeus]

UHMWPE, HDPE, if you can get it PTFE. Try looking at a scrapyard, there would be steel to suit, mild would definitely be hard enough.

[wyz2285]

Have you thought about a 1" pvc tube like gun freak posted
If you take a good look around I ´m sure you will find a piece od it, for me 2cm of it is enough. Then you could use fiberglass to reinforce it or make a better shape for suiting.
here is this vortex in action

[stuffbuilder]

Also what should I use for a barrel? I found some actual airsoft barrels, but they're kinda expensive and I don't want to spend that much money if a cheap piece of tube from Home Depot works just as well

[wyz2285]

8mm OD aluminum tubes, they have a wall thickness of 0.5-1mm, so ID is around 6.5mm , i have found 6mm ID ones, great for bbs.

[pneumaticcannons]

I took 20minutes of my life drilling a 3 cm hole in clear plexiglass ... worked great until i couldn't find the right thai pvc to hold the block in. but i tried it with just the block and it seemed to fire reliably. geez it sucks living here for a spudder like me... i have been limited to minis these past three months

[Gun Freak]

1/4" brass/aluminum has an ID of 6.35mm.

[stuffbuilder]

Does that .35mm difference make much of a difference? This is my first vortex gun

[Gun Freak]

Tests have shown that there is a significant power loss when using a barrel with that much of a difference in diameter, but it is the best I have found for the price. Couple bucks, as opposed to ~30 for an airsoft barrel. I use a 650mm (~25.5 in) tightbore barrel in one of my bbmgs and the accuracy is insanely better, and not to mention the increase in velocity. I haven't tested the difference but I know it's there. So, for just a simple bbmg the 1/4" tube will work fine, just take a bb or two with you to the shop so you know it will fit.