Using a HPA Tank

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.
jmusall
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Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:18 pm

So. This is my first post to spudfiles, however I am not really new to the hobby. I have made a lot of different small scale pneumatics that shot anything from nerf darts, bbs, marbles, homemade ammo, etc. However they have all been pretty much 1-5 shots. With my current project I am looking for portability and I believe power and accuracy will follow.

I recently acquired a HPA tank (empty) and I was kind of puzzled as to how I was going to incorporate it into a build as at the top of the nozzle there is a pin valve. This makes sense as far as safety and reloading in paintball.. however I am curious as to what I am supposed to connect it to in order to use it as a reservoir for my purposes.
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jrrdw
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Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:43 pm

The standard fitting on the tank, then adapt up to you cannon on the output end of the hose.
jmusall
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Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:51 pm

And with that I will be able to keep the regulator?

I guess what I am really asking is where can I get a fitting that will depress the pin valve.

If that is what you have described than I must be confused.... lol
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Sun Aug 11, 2013 2:25 am

hectmarr wrote:You have to make many weapons, because this field is long and short life
jmusall
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Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:22 am

Thank you JSR and jrrdw... :lol:
joep
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:24 am

I want to build an air cannon that will fire a tennis ball out of a pvc pipe. The purpose of this Launcher is so I can shoot a string over tree limbs then use the sting to pull up a rope, then use the rope install Wire Antennas in Trees.
I have a HPA tank and I would like to remove the PIN fill valve, add fitting with a air fill valve followed by an elect sprinkler valve, followed by the PVC barrel. My questions is what size plumbing thread adapters do I need to do this, what are they called and where can I get them. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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dart guy
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 12:37 pm

you should try to create a special tenisbal that is springloaded to shoot out barbs so that you can latch onto the rope. also you better be using parachord or somthing almost equivelent. i am a guy for plans if you want somthing like a special load or a cannon mod just ask i can create a lot of plans in about 10 minuts
joep
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:18 pm

Thanks for your reply, but seriously all I'm going to build is just a simple spud gun using a tennis ball or smaller pvc capsule loaded with BBs or sand attached to a the line of a fishing spinning reel mounted on the barrel. I can make the entire gun out of PVC but would like to use the HPA tank I have.
Just need to locate a 5/8-18UNF-2B to 1/2" or 3/4" NPT fitting(s) to transition to regular Pneumatic plumbing.
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 2:31 pm

I dot understand why you'd want an HPA tank as your main chamber for this? It's entirely overkill, expensive, and cumbersome for a sprinkler valve launcher. For this sort of project, you could easily get away with even using a soda bottle chamber, but if you're concerned with safety, just use some pressure rated PVC, for less than 10$ you could piece together something with 2" fittings and pipe
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joep
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 3:53 pm

I know the HPA tank is over kill but I got it for free so would like to use it.

The challenge for me is going to be finding the fittings, anyone got any suggestions what kind of supplier might carry them?
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Gun Freak
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:31 pm

I seriously recommend NOT using the HPA tank for a chamber... as stated earlier its extremely overkill and can be used for much greater purposes that are pertinent to this very project. For example, refill it to high pressure and regulate it to fill your low pressure pvc gun on the go.

Also, good luck finding that adapter without visiting your local machine shop.

McMaster.com has great brass fittings for good prices if you need to order online. Otherwise just check out a hardware store or big box store like home depot, lowes, etc.
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dewey-1
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Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:16 pm

View this link for what you might want.

http://www.antennalaunchers.com/csv19/index.html
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