Destroyer Valve MKII [POWER TESTS 9/6/09]

[Technician1002]

I think it's so unlikely to explode, it's not worth worrying about.
Do not subject to extreme temperatures;
do not overpressurize;
do not store in sulight.

I've never seen a valve made from rated parts even crack when those guidelines are followed. (I don't think I've ever seen on break, bar recoil damage)

Especially if they're sold as valves not cannons, and you're even safer if you're selling to someone who appreciates the power of these cannons.

In the US you can get sued if you serve coffee hot.

http://www.vanfirm.com/mcdonalds-coffee-lawsuit.htm

2.9 Million dollars for serving hot coffee. Wonder why I don't sell air cannons? No way would I even consider it.

[Willdebeers]

I say 25$ =)

(message too short)

It costs that much for materials alone.

[Biopyro]

I still crave more damage! I think this valve has a lot of potential, and you need to take it out and get a nice video for "advertising purposes".

That's a very good price, if I could go back to last year, I'd buy one just to save myself the trouble of having to make 2 to get a working one!

[Willdebeers]

2? Try 7. Yeah, seven prototypes to get to where I am now.
The reason why there are no screws is because I wanted to make sure it worked.

How much would it cost to advertise on spudfiles? Because it would be really cool.

[Biopyro]

I say 2, I haven't properly finished the second yet, it still needs a pilot assembly and a piston!

Contact PCGUY. I'd reccomend drumming up some interest in the UK first, because to compete with ssgort, you're going to have to subsidise postage.

Get over to UKSGC, mention you're going to start selling, and definately get a good advertising video going!


QEVs are often used in robotics, but anything above 3/4" is VERY expensive (1"QEV is £90!). I definately think you would have a market for large robotics projects, but I wouldn't know where to advertise (don't see many large battle robots).
If these people are having to pay £200 for an equivalent product, I'm sure they'd be happy to hear from you.

[Willdebeers]

I just posted on UKSGC, you can view my message there under "Pneumatic Cannons", but I think it sounds too much like a sales pitch. What do you guys think?

EDIT: http://www.uksgc.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=1859

[Biopyro]

You'll need to be consistent in prices in $ vs £ You can't sell to america for $50 and britain for £50!
Put the damage pics up too!

[Willdebeers]

Oh yes I can!
They are basically the same anyway.

[rp181]

thats like saying 50$ is the same as 80 dollars..... use google. type

# (unit) in (unit you want to convert to)

works for most things.

[Willdebeers]

OK. $50 is the same as £30 and they cost £25.60 to make... so I might need to rethink this.

EDIT: I might just pull a Gort and make oodles of add-ons for it. (e.g orings/check valve, spary paint, threaded adaptors, bigger valves)

You Likey?

JG

[Biopyro]

I don't think there's much use spray painting it unless you're selling other parts of the cannon with it, which, since you're in the UK, moves you into a grey zone.

Gort's only addon is a pilot system, which is definately worth checking out, because for the same reason the want to buy a pre-made valve, they might also want a pre-made pilot system.

Threaded adaptors - get some standard ones, because ordering from somewhere else will mean they'll have to pay postage twice, so they may as well buy from you.

Perhaps make it look less like drainpipe and more like a custom part, if you're selling outside the spudding world.

And definitely start using HDPE for your pistons when your nylon rod runs out. It's lighter and cheaper, and just as strong (if not stronger)

[Willdebeers]

Yeah i'll do a pilot system. Mabye a sprinkler valve like the Supah Valve. How much is HDPE, and do you know a place to get it? Thanks.

JG

[Biopyro]

Direct plastics worked out cheapest for me, buying a short length of 60mm, but have a look on google and ebay, it's fairly easily available.

Don't bother with a sprinkler valve, they are almost unused in the UK.
Buy a few 1/4" QEVs and use them as the pilot system. They aren't expensive, and screw directly into a blowgun.

[Willdebeers]

I guess I would need a 1/4" close nipple for the QEV-to-blowgun though.
Is 1/4" big enough? it seems a bit under-kill.

[Biopyro]

Model it as a gun in GGDT. Pilot volume is chamber volume, and you'll see that it's plenty to vent a 200ml max chamber area. If anything, it's overkill - you have o-rings and a check valve, so it won't take much to pilot.