Just another copper gun

Show us your pneumatic spud gun! Discuss pneumatic (compressed gas) powered potato guns and related accessories. Valve types, actuation, pipe, materials, fittings, compressors, safety, gas choices, and more.
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hyldgaard
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:20 am

So, i finally got around to making myself a decent powered gun. You can se most of the details on the pictures, but if there is anything you want to know, just ask :)
The barrel is 140cm of 15mm copper, the chamber is 120cm of same diameter copper, the pistonvalve is actuated by a 1/4" ballvalve and i generally use the gun at around 16-18bar(my gauge only goes to 16).
I better mention that this was my first time soldering, hence the not so pretty result.
I didnt build this gun to be pretty, but to perform well, so please, no comments about the zipties as they dont bother me :wink:
I have added a couple of pictures of my homemade pump, which easily takes the cannon to 16bar, but i think were all kind of fed up with hearing about homemade pumps, so ask if there is anything you want to know. The day after i made that pump i got a fridge compressor, so for now its a backup.
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The gun fires homemade lead slugs, that tumble a lot in flight, but has some kick. I know that people will tell me to drill out the bottom, but thats easier said than done. i have done it with a few, but i dont really feel like using that much time on a projectile that I will probably never be seeing again. for precision, i use 11mm ball bearings encased in candlewax formed as a slug.
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I read somewhere on this board that pancaking a lead slug was impossible with a spudgun(....!?! :roll:)
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Took a few shots at 22mm plywood.
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The pump
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The compressor
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Like i said, just ask if there is something you need to know.
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Mitchza89
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:34 am

Wow mate, let me be the first to tell you that that thing is beautiful. The power that it gives those slugs to mush em like that, that's really impressive. You reeeeeeally need to up the pressure for a gun like that though, it's a must! :D Curious....How much psi can that fridge compressor output?

Job well done mate,

Mitch.
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bigbob12345
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:45 am

the chamber and barrel length is probaly a little overkill but i really like it.
My only question would be is that pvc for the body of the pump?
if not what is it

this is definately not just another copper gun
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Ragnarok
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:54 am

Very nice. I would only be too happy to have a launcher like that in my collection - and that's saying something, because I don't have much storage space, so I have to be quite picky about what I build and keep.

Those flattened slugs and holes through the plywood inspire ideas... what did you "pancake" them against?
Does that thing kinda look like a big cat to you?
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Antonio
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:12 am

cool!!! Nice gun!
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pizlo
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:49 am

Dude thats some good work, more details on the piston? Nice pump(s) nice gun, and nice damage.
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STHORNE
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:00 am

Nice job on the ammunition. You really told it who's boss lol.
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hyldgaard
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:07 am

Mitchza89 wrote:Wow mate, let me be the first to tell you that that thing is beautiful. The power that it gives those slugs to mush em like that, that's really impressive. You reeeeeeally need to up the pressure for a gun like that though, it's a must! Very Happy Curious....How much psi can that fridge compressor output?

Job well done mate,

Mitch.
Im not too sure on the max output as i have only used it up to around 18 bar, but i can tell you that it takes 16 seconds to fill the chamber to that, and it sounds like its quite effortless for the compressor ;)
pizlo wrote: Dude thats some good work, more details on the piston? Nice pump(s) nice gun, and nice damage.
The piston is a piece of 18mm copper filled with hot glue, so i could bolt on the rubber sealing face
bigbob12345 wrote:the chamber and barrel length is probaly a little overkill but i really like it.
My only question would be is that pvc for the body of the pump?
if not what is it

this is definately not just another copper gun
My goal was power without having a very large cannon, so i had to up the length a bit ;)
The body of the pump is made of 18mm copper, sleeved in rubber for protection against bumps and scratches
Ragnarok wrote: Those flattened slugs and holes through the plywood inspire ideas... what did you "pancake" them against?
I shot a 1/4" steelplate point blank, quite depressing that it hardly left a mark :lol:

And all of you others, thanks for your positive comments :) feel free to tell me if you have any ideas on how to improve this.

Edit:
anyone care to run it through GGDT? im not at home, so i dont have acces to a computer with the program/rights to install the program. Would be really nice, thanks.
Last edited by hyldgaard on Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
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potatoflinger
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:13 am

Wow, that is a beautiful gun! The damage pics really speak for themselves :P
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Jared Haehnel
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:13 am

Nice gun... how much do the slugs weigh?
My current projects....

Currently buying part for...
http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/my-new- ... rt,15.html
Still on the drawing board...
C02 tank hybrid
Screen doors for submarines...
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:14 am

Impressive stuff, perhaps you should cast your slugs over a mandrel so they would already have a hollow tail without the need for drilling.

I *really* should get me one of those fridge compressors...
I shot a 1/4" steelplate point blank, quite depressing that it hardly left a mark
Hardly surprising though, what you need is a hard metal object like a nail encased in a suitable sabot.
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hyldgaard
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:19 am

Jared Haehnel wrote:Nice gun... how much do the slugs weigh?
Oh right, sorry. The slugs weigh a healthy 20grams each :D

Edit:
jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:Impressive stuff, perhaps you should cast your slugs over a mandrel so they would already have a hollow tail without the need for drilling.

I *really* should get me one of those fridge compressors...
I shot a 1/4" steelplate point blank, quite depressing that it hardly left a mark
Hardly surprising though, what you need is a hard metal object like a nail encased in a suitable sabot.
Believe me, ive had my run with experimenting with casting these slugs, and it seems that this is what i ended up being most satisfied with. I definately agree that the result would be a lot better with a hollow tail, but it simply takes too much of my time to make them in bulk :shock:
And for the steel plate, i never really expected it to do any damage to the plate, and i dont think im up for the challenge with that thick of a steel plate, i would be worried about ricochets :?
Finally, yes, do go get yourself a fridge compressor, it makes life 45% better :wink:
Last edited by hyldgaard on Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
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STHORNE
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:21 am

fps?
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hyldgaard
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:26 am

sthorne wrote:fps?
I would really like to know too, maybe someone will be kind enough to run it through GGDT soon :)
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POLAND_SPUD
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Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:34 am

lol fridge compressors rulezzzz :D

hyldgaard the gun looks good but that ammo is awsome :shock:

don't worry you can up the pressure a lot I think you can easily get past 400 psi.... but I am affraid that the airhose you have (in the last pic) is the first thing that is likely to fail when you get past 350 - 400 psi... you might try to get the smallest diameter of air hose you can - they have higher pressure ratings
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