1" Piston

[MrCrowley]

Thanks. And I added you on MSN. (MrCrowley)

Ah you did too. Wondering who you were. I don't go on that often, only when needed.

[n-strike]

Yep, I've noticed. You've never been on since I added you. Unless I was sleeping, but probably not.

[Pilgrimman]

The sealing material should definitely be Neoprene. If I can buy it in podunk Grants Pass, you probably can. The coupler should get a few wraps of duct tape for a better fit, though. Can't wait to see the result!

[n-strike]

I can't wait either! I'm making this piston with my friend, he's a member here, I think his username is stelthyfish or something...and what does neoprene come in? Like rolls or something? Thanks!

[LynyrdSkynyrd]

you can find neoprene washers in some hardware stores, i know the TrueValue near me had them. You can also probably find gasket material as well.

[n-strike]

Oh, so they come in washers...hm...what would be the best size washers for 1 1/4" coupler?

[MrCrowley]

Well I use these orange gaskets. Best sealing material i've ever used, they seem to come in just the one size and perfect for 2" pistons. Just need a trim:

[n-strike]

Wow. That's hott! So gasket is also another material I suppose?

[LynyrdSkynyrd]

yea there ya go. I've seen that material in sheets before at TrueValue. Its like $1.50 for a 1" square sheet. I used this stuff on my new cannon which its cut to size to about 3.5". Got 6 gaskets out of one sheet.

[MrCrowley]

Well a gasket isn't a material. A Gasket is a gasket, made from rubber or neoprene etc.

Mine came in a clear bag and was only a dollar or two. They have a hole in the middle about 1/2" in diameter. So you'll need a big metal washer like mine to make sure the sealing face wont get ripped off into the barrel.

[Pilgrimman]

Gasket is more a generic term for a sealing material (I think). Most solid sealing items are neoprene, such as O-Rings. Neoprene comes in washers, but in my hardware store, they sell it in 6" by 6" sheets 1/8" thick.

[n-strike]

So would it be best for me to buy them in washers, or in sheets?

[Pilgrimman]

I would buy washers as they are circular. Neoprene is VERY hard to cut accurately, but it can be done. A dremel tool is great for grinding down washers or fixing imperfections in a cut piece, but get ready for the smell

[LynyrdSkynyrd]

id say go see what is cheaper. neoprene is easy to manipulate to the right size you need.

[MrCrowley]

What ever suits you. Washers come already in a perfect cirlce, so if they're big enough just go with those. If anything they only need a small trim.

It really doens't matter, pistons are probably the most improvised part of a spudgun.

They can be anything, you don't need to check with us if it will work, as long as you follow the principles it will work.

Remember there is no set piston, anything can be a piston. You'll soon get the spudders look and anything you see will be a piston or a projectile.