Over Under Solenoid Mortar

[MrCrowley]

well i just posted this but if screwed up so ill make it short.

what you do is put copper on the inside of the barrel opposite each other at the bottom glued to the inside wall, drill two holes in the barrel on each side and hook up the wires from the solenoid to each hole,when you drop the projectile with metal/copper on it, it completes the circuit activating the solenoid and firing the projectile.

would this work?have i over looked something, i just thought of it so i might of

[carlbelcher]

I also think there might be an easier way to make a mortar like trigger. Like maybe just a micro switch or something.

[MrCrowley]

yeah, but this is the best way i could think of without using solids and it could be relativly cheap as i can get copper strips for free from my science teacher.anyother ideas will be much appreciated as i might build one some day

[carlbelcher]

Just put a micro switch in the chamber the fire the solenoid with a relay.

Like this one:

[MrCrowley]

why would you put it in the chamber?i was trying to make a mortar that fires when the projectile is dropped in the barrel.

[carlbelcher]

Sorry... I ment barrel instead of chamber.

<a href="" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/82/242183388_34a1b028c1.jpg" width="430" height="235" alt="mortar"></a>

[MrCrowley]

ok so the projectile pushes that panel/lever down to complete the circuit, so it cancels out the metal on the projectile,so saves some money
three problems:
1:projectile has to be heavy enough/going fast enough to push that panel/lever down.
2:need to seal the hole where the panel/lever goes into
3:if the projectile goes too far it will hook under the panel/lever thingy and when fired will break it .

im more worried about the projectile not pushing the metal lever down every time you drop it.

p.s how much does one of those switches cost?

[carlbelcher]

1. The micro switch is very easy to trip so the projectile doesn't have to be heavy or moving fast.

2. Epoxy

3. You can bend the lever into a ( shape and you can put near the end of your barrel so that a projectile can't get behind it.

Micro switchs can be bought for as little as $2-$5.

[MrCrowley]

hmmm, good idea, i might try this for a project next year as im planning to build another pneumatic after the one i finish then thats it for the year as ive got to save for europe.

i orginally thought of taking the handle of a blowgun and using that needle the handle pushes down, but its too stiff.
how many pounds does it take to push it down?

[carlbelcher]

how many pounds does it take to push it down?

The blowgun valve?

[MrCrowley]

no the microswitch.the blowgun i figured is too stiff and would take alot

[carlbelcher]

Oh, Sorry...

A standard computer mouse button is harder to press then a micro switch.

[MrCrowley]

so the projectile would really have to be a GB as they can slide down the barrel where a potato you have to shove/push.a GB still has some friction on the walls but looks like that would be enough to push it.
Thanks Carl

[carlbelcher]

No problem man... I'm glad to help.