SpudFiles

Judging from the fact that you mentioned price in £, are you from the UK or EU? If so, then there is a big gap in the market for pre-assembled spudgun parts. Even if you are outdone in the USA, you may very well end up with a good market in the UK each summer.

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:"destroyer" is too much along the lines of "mauler" too...

Sure it's a destructive adjective, but I dont think it's too similar??

Any images of the internals? If so, some members could comment on things such as pilot volume, machining quality, overall finish, bumper etc.

yes, im from uk.

i'll take some internal photos soon.

will your back plug only have the tape to make a seal or will you add a o-ring???---- and i think if you want to sell the valve you need a lot of clean up on your construction-- as of now it looks very noooob

There you go then, you needn't compete with an established retailer, but can get yourself started here. It's not difficult to compete with the overpriced, "I don't have time for customers" attitude of the UKSGC shop.

I do think you could make it a bit safer. I believe they are rated fittings, but the plastic looks thin and DWV like. They should have PN8 written on them somewhere, which is the UK indicator for pressure rated (8 bars).
I highly reccomend http://www.hendersons.co.uk and http://www.trssupplies.co.uk/

The piston is either too long - and therefore heavy, or the pilot volume is too large. You need to shorten that back bit.

Biopyro wrote:Sure it's a destructive adjective, but I dont think it's too similar??

Actually it implies superiority to the Mauler as something mauled is not necessarily destroyed

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:

Biopyro wrote:Sure it's a destructive adjective, but I dont think it's too similar??

Actually it implies superiority to the Mauler as something mauled is not necessarily destroyed

Well there you go then.

It says PN8 on it.

The tube at the back is as it is because of the way the piston housing is designed, and it is lightweight.

Compared to other materials, nylon is not especially light. You would be better off using HDPE. It machines well as far as I know, has an extremely low friction coefficient, and floats in water (about 80% density of nylon). It is also extremely tough and strong.
HDPE is also less expensive.

Thanks biopyro, i'll look into that.

does anyone know where i could get an o-ring that would create a seal in a 50mm tee?

Your local hardware store might well carry one. Mine is a tiny place, but has a whole selection of O rings.
Try this ebay link - it's basically what my hardware store has. http://tinyurl.com/ceajox

Biopyro wrote:Compared to other materials, nylon is not especially light. You would be better off using HDPE. It machines well as far as I know, has an extremely low friction coefficient, and floats in water (about 80% density of nylon). It is also extremely tough and strong.
HDPE is also less expensive.

HDPE works well for me.

Edit
In smaller diameter valves, a close fit is low friction without o rings.

I can testify to that, I tried tech's HDPE method with the drill press and chisel and it works very well (remember to do everything up tight and have a firm grip, only take small cuts!)

I would honestly think twice about trying to sell these things. The craftsmanship is nowhere near professional looking. You can also go a lot more compact with the design. The "other" guys fit their valves entirely inside of a tee.

I dont doubt that this valve performs well, but I dont see much success unless things get cleaned up a lot. If this is a prototype, then keep these things in mind while doing the next version.

It looks to my like you wasted your time with the screws in the back. If that is indeed a coupling holding the bushing in the back, you should consider a threaded adapter.

The only case where you would need to use screws to hold in a bushing is if you are building the entire valve into a tee.


As for marketing this...
Large flow piston valves are already being sold successfully. You'll find it difficult to enter the market unless you begin with a price lower than $30 USD, or your valve ends up having remarkable performance.

Will the valve 'destroy' me with the dwv tee?

Jogumpie wrote:Thanks biopyro, i'll look into that.

does anyone know where i could get an o-ring that would create a seal in a 50mm tee?

Try looking in the hardware store for water filter replacement orings. They are 1/8" thick, and range from 2-3".