Ball Valve Question!

[doomburger]

Hey guys! I'm buying a 2.5" PVC ball valve (can't find a sprinkler valve anywhere) for my spud gun, and someone has told me that after a while it starts to become stiff and harder to turn. Is this true, and if it is, around how long does it last until it starts to become stiff?

[Zeus]

They get stiff, and you'll need to lubricate it, I use vaseline, some people swear by silicone spray. Don't use WD40 or the like.

Why not build a piston?

[doomburger]

Ah thanks. I have a bottle of silicon spray right next to me! I'm not building a piston because a ball valve is so much simpler
However, I have a problem: How am I supposed to lube the ball valve if there are tubes on both sides? (I can't reach the ball valve)

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

can you find a union?



Because if so, screw ball valves, go burst disk!

From another thread:

If you want a high performance big bore without breaking the bank, consider something like this design:



You can make the chamber and barrel out of the same type of tubing, all you need is the chamber capped on one end with a valve of some sort in order to supply the air, and on the other end you attach a union.

All you have to do is sandwich a disk of frangible material (foil etc.) and when a certain pressure is reached in the chamber, BOOM!, Robert's your mother's brother.

It is a bit of a pain in the arse having to install new burst disks for every shot but really this is the only way to get the best performance out of a pneumatic on a very low budget.

At 100-150 psi with a long enough chamber and barrel, performance should be quite impressive.

[Zeus]

Jack's right, barring valveless that's the highest performance you can get from a pneubmatic. Chuck in a spark gap and you've got the option for a very low mix hybrid or combustion.

To lubricate the ball valve if you can't be convinced out of it, spray the silicone onto a rag, and poke it down against the BV, then rotate it a few times.

[doomburger]

No luck with finding any unions either...
How can I lube a ball valve with tubes on both ends???

[Zeus]

Surely both sides aren't closed? Tie the rag to a stickand poke it down.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Tie the rag to a stick and poke it down.

This method also works for unclean members of the fairer sex

[doomburger]

Ah thanks, I guess I'll do that. You only need to lubricate one side of the ball valve?

Tie the rag to a stick and poke it down.

This method also works for unclean members of the fairer sex

Haha

[Zeus]

I was hoping you'd get that JSR. I don't recommend silicone spray though, unless your partner is made of the same.

Edit: It'll spread out over a few turns, like the fairer sex...

[doomburger]

To lubricate the other side as well, the ball valve would have to turn at least 180 degrees...
I am under the impression that ball valves can only turn 90 degrees. Right?

EDIT: My ball valve looks somewhat like this
http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... _valve.jpg

[Zeus]

Not if you dremel down the plastic nubs, or reverse the handle of a threaded metal BV.

[doomburger]

Ah I see now! you have enlightened me Thanks!