"SUPAH" Piston Revealed

[mattyzip77]

I bought a used SUPAH valve from a fellow spudder. After shooting it about 100 times, I noticed a leak coming from it, so I decided its time to check this bad rabbit out. After removing 24 screws, in my opinion is overkill, and removing the back part of the piston, I came to find out there was two breaks in it, both on the lip that holds the o rings. I called and E mailed Spudtech, they wanted 50 bucks to fix it and or replace it. I pretty much only paid that much for the whole valve, so I just epoxied it and fixed it myself. I probably wouldnt have gotten it back until Christmas if I was lucky anyhow seeings how they are so far backed up and everything is on back order. Anyways here are some pics of the piston. Its a great piston, however if I made it, I would have put the o rings further back, giving it more of a lip, and used about 12 less screws. If anyone is interested in trying to make one, let me know and I will be glad to give you measurements!!! Its made from pvc sch 80 rod as far as I know!!

http://imageshack.us/g/855/243i.jpg/
Click on "Play as Slideshow" to get rid of the pop up ads! :thumbright:

[jrrdw]

The break downs have been posted before but these are the 1st in-depth pictures I've seen of a Supah valve.

You do know this was the 1st spud cannon part patented.

[mattyzip77]

I was unaware it was patented. I never seen any pics of it on here, which is why I posted them. The E mail I got from spudtech said that every valve was different, so how could it be patented?? Unless he was feeding me a line of B.S.??? I thought I would have gotten alot more replies on this topic, guess I was wrong!!

[jrrdw]

In short: Joel Suprise the creator of Spudtech invented it to simulate tornadoes, Google "tornado simulator".

[Gippeto]

Every valve is "different" because they are hand made, and IIRC on a wood lathe.

Because of this, tolerances may (and probably do), vary from valve to valve. This little factoid simply means that while the parts may all be similar...they likely are not interchangeable...thus the need to send it for "factory" repair.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

You do know this was the 1st spud cannon part patented.

Is it? Couldn't find any patents, pending or otherwise, in Joel's name. As it's an exhaust valve which is an established century old design with nothing particularly innovative about it, I don't see who would grant a patent for it.

I thought I would have gotten alot more replies on this topic, guess I was wrong!

At a time when most had a poor understanding of piston launchers this valve was regarded in awe, these days, well spudding has come a long way since it first came out.