SpudFiles

Just wanted to add something:

You are the parent. If you are concerned with your son's safety and you are convinced that certain info he obtained here is incorrect, please don't allow him to build spudguns.

As jimmy said, there is a fair amount of "crap" floating around out there. While I am convinced that this website provides mostly trustworthy information, there is still the chance of something here being incorrect. You are responsible for determining this. (and you seem to have already done so) And you are ultimately responsible for deciding what to do and what not to do. After all, you are in control of yourself (and your son). If you are unsure about building a spudgun, then don't build one. There are definitely risks involved, but they can be avoided.

If you want credentials, unfortunately I cannot provide any (save a few members here who might have some education on ballistics and the like) I suggest you research the people working for companies like Harvel, Bristol Pipe, DURA, Spears, etc. They can tell you exactly what their products are designed for, what pressures and temperatures they can handle, how they are to be assembled, etc. etc. They'll also tell you that their products should not be used for anything other than plumbing applications. (note here that they do not enforce this in any way)

Selfemployed 40 year old machanic here. I've been turing wrenchs since i've been 14. Droped out of high school at 14 1/2, got my GED at 19, and in the past 12 years i've earned 2 locksmith degrees, 1 tool sharping degree.

Jimmy my hero!!!

Jimmy -- Personally, I have a little problem believing you are who/what you say you are. Just as your son should assume everything he finds on the web is BS until proven otherwise, I assume the same for things posted on web forums. Not trying to insult you, just pointing out a basic fact of life on the web. It would not be surprising to me if a reporter (for example), posted as a "concerned parent" in an attempt to gather information. Given reporters, and gov't officials for that matter, tendency to grossly distort facts in order to "prove" a point, I tend to be pretty cautious about what I post.

This information comes from all walks of life, all different fields of experteze, so your question is really way to brouad to give a deffenent answer to.

I'm going to fetch the pimpmann22 and invite him to coment on this thread!

Hmm... formal spudgun qualifications...

I've none of those til they exist, but I do know a fair bit about pneumatic systems, fabrication and machining, materials and a decent knowledge of maths, physics and chemistry.

*rummages about in a drawer*

Also for some reason qualified in health and safety. Basically common sense but theres times people need reminding why it is

I'm a bit confused as to why you are asking for credentials from senior members if you are concerned with your son's safety. As you can tell by now, your question may need to be worded "what kind of safety features should I concern myself and my son with?"

Also, as you can tell, many of the senior members have good credentials, if that is what you are truly concerned with. Me, personally, 24yoa, physics and mathematics experience. Experience with CO2 and knowledgeable with pneumatics.

It has been stated that safety should be priority. Using these things for paintball (which is what led me here to start with), safety should always be number 1, so I guess I have safety credentials as well.

Anyway, there are a lot of credentials on this site (or maybe it is 90% crap) but you shouldn't concern yourself with credentials. You should concern yourself with safety.

I'm 18, just finished school as a physics, chemistry and math student. I have always loved to build and make things, and when i make something potentially dangerous i always get all the info i can on it and based on the info i decide weather or not to construct it. Example. I used to make pneumatic spud guns out of pressure PVC, i don't anymore because i don't feel safe with PVC in a pneumatic because of the risks involved. All my guns are now going to be metal. This contradicts with what many people say on this website which is pressure PVC is safe, but thats my judgment based on what i know and understand about the forces involved and what i feel is safe.

Personally, if I was you, i would tell my son he can only build a spudgun if you think it is safe, regardless of what he sees on this website or any website.

I'm more knowledgeable in electronics than in spudguns, having admittedly only built two (combustion and a pneumatic). I usually only talk out of personal experience when it comes to spudguns. I'm really interested in what this false information is, as the forums have been pretty crap-free lately (or any crap was quickly shot down), at least from what i've noticed.

Well hopefully most of us here do have the IPEX Solvent Welding credentials

That's really all you can expect from most of the other teens on this website, once someone has figured out how to make things go boom, you don't need to have a degree to build one yourself.

Just wanted add my credentials to the list, I am 27 and have a trade in Mechanical Engineering.

Something I noticed which isn't mentioned much is the use of a proper backstop. Seeing as you are gunsmith by trade, I'm sure you know whats appropriate or not, but I just thought I would mention that a proper backstop tends to be forgotten in the thrill of preparing to fire a launcher.
And accidents do happen in this hobby, so if you can prwvent your son from making a potentially deadly or injurios mistakes, you're doing good.

Credential wise: I'm 17 years old, a self taught machinist and welder, been building launchers since I was 8, and shooting firearms since I was 7. Strong back ground in physics, chemistry, and electronics. Also straight A student which doesn't mean much, but there you go.

Anyways, hope all works out well.

50 y/old licensed plumber.
mostly commercial/industrial.
with a few years of mechanical piping.
have done some residential

I,m 63 and an industrial designer. I hopefully have learned a lot. One thing I must say is how much some of these 16 year olds know. I have been impressed. You can learn from anyone if you listen.

fred wrote:I,m 63 and an industrial designer. I hopefully have learned a lot. One thing I must say is how much some of these 16 year olds know. I have been impressed. You can learn from anyone if you listen.

Then after you have listened you can either choose to put said learnings into action or choose to discard.
Listening is the most wonderful device Those members with partners should know this already

Novacastrian wrote:Listening is the most wonderful device Those members with partners should know this already

The skill lies in tuning the noise out while still giving the impression that you're listening

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:

Novacastrian wrote:Listening is the most wonderful device Those members with partners should know this already

The skill lies in tuning the noise out while still giving the impression that you're listening

I've been working on that skill during English lessons, figured it'd come handy later in life

MrCrowley. Maybe these will help.