Help!

[shandog9]

I'm having serious problems with a project that I'm working on. I'm pretty inexperienced in this whole thing so bear with me through all of the dumb comments I may make. Ok, so I'm building a net gun using instructions found on this website, http://www.instructables.com/id/Build_A_Net_Gun/ and I have a couple questions. First, what is the concept behind the pressure chamber? Next, how would the air compress inside the chamber? Could I use other materials besides PVC pipe to make the chamber because I've heard that the PVC cement is carcinogenic and it can explode under immense pressures? And lastly, I will probably change the design completely because the PVC concept really scares me, is there anyway to hook up an air tank to that trigger system and still be able to control the amount of pressurized air that comes through? I know this is really off the whole construction idea but it looked like a fun project to tackle and I appreciate any feedback I receive.

Thanks in advance.

[BobHHowell]

 

I would just go to the Net Gun store and buy one.

[shandog9]

They're 600 dollars and there isn't any satisfaction like building one.

[peternap]

I haven't looked at your plans but I used to build a lot of super power air guns. The chamber is simple. It needs to be a lot bigger than your barrel so you get a wave of pressure. Starting the projectile is the hard part.

PVC is fine as long as you don't go over a couple hundred PSI. I think it's rated around 135 and they always build in 80% or so safety margin...(Don't blame me if you shoot your ete out, I'm reckless)

Yes you can hook it up to a tank. Valves and barrel are dependant on your pressure. I built an arrow gun using a divers poney tank at 3000 PSI once. Don't use plastic for that

[glenn kangiser]

Cool and very Spidey like.

My son made a potato gun - and it was great until he tried an acetylene -oxygen fuel then it exploded shattering the PVC.  He quit playing with it then but it was pretty safe until he got crazy.

[cordwood]

Refiged. Nitrogen!!! Mucho PSI plus it'll chill your beer pretty Quick!

[shandog9]

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I'm going to avoid using PVC, I'm too fearful of the cement and being a novice I don't trust myself to make a safe pressure chamber for the air out of PVC pipe. Using that site as a reference, let me ask a new question. What would I need to build a net gun? What I'm asking is basically what makes a net gun work? How does the pressure chamber store air and how does the trigger system work? I know that you need a pressure chamber and a trigger system to make it work, but I don't understand the concept. Could I build one out of an air tank, such as this one http://www.amazon.com/Brass-Eagle-Eagle-Refillable-Cylinder-Black/dp/B00092CKV6/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=generic&qid=1235960308&sr=1-25, and attach that to a pressure washer wand? Would I be able to control the amount of pressure and air that comes out of the tank and would the pressure washer wand's trigger work? I know these are a lot of questions, but I'm trying to understand the concept so that I can create one by myself in a safe manner.

Thanks again.

[MountainDon]

My personal opinion is that 9 ounce tank would be great for paintball use which is what it appears to be designed for. Having built a spud gun years ago I can say that I believe the port on that bottle would be too small to give you the rapid transfer of air from the storage vessel to the barrel. Ditto on using a pressure washer wand; too small an orifice. The spud gun worked much better with a one inch sprinkler valve than the 1/2" valve that I first used.


Also regarding, your fears about the process of solvent welding PVC pipe, I believe you are being too fearful. You're not going to drink the stuff or rub it all over your body. Use it in a ventilated area or outdoors.

[John_C]

...... it was great until he tried an acetylene -oxygen fuel then it exploded shattering the PVC.....

the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?

[glenn kangiser]

John C, what makes you think I've blown stuff up with acetylene and oxygen --- man   hmm - I hope I wasn't the one who showed him how to do that.  It can kill as well as rupture eardrums.......

[John_C]

I apologize.  Glenn has never blown anything up unintentionally.


Happy?

[rwanders]

If PVC still worries you, consider using HDPE pipe----I tested a 36" diameter 2" wall thickness HDPE pipe and pumped it up to over 1200 psi---pipe didn't fail but the seals around my input piping did finally begin to leak. It is often used for high pressure gas piping and comes in many sizes and wall thicknesses.

[peternap]

Don's spot on the money. I used a pressure washer wand for my arrow gun because It could handle 4500PSI ...and ....I was pressurizing the inside of the shaft. Very small area. For the cannons, I like ball valves but the sprinkler valves work fine and have the added advantage of giving you an electric trigger.

Why not just build a black powder cannon and use a #209 shotgun primer to set it off?

[MountainDon]

I apologize.  Glenn has never blown anything up unintentionally.

Happy?

I believe he's blown up a battery or two. Don't think he did it on purpose.

[MountainDon]

Why not just build a black powder cannon and use a #209 shotgun primer to set it off?

Now we're talking!!  Boom!!

[peternap]

Why not just build a black powder cannon and use a #209 shotgun primer to set it off?

Now we're talking!!  Boom!!

Just use DOM Tubing and a 3" hitch ball as a greech plug. Make a simple spring loaded underhammer and make a nipple to accepta 208 (or just use a nipple a nipple out of an inline), put the whole thing on a swivel and you can net em or blow them to he!!

[MountainDon]

here's some stuff...

http://www.buckstix.com/HowitzerBarrel.htm

http://www.hatchergun.com/blkpwdrcannon.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1114234/black_powder_cannon_build_your_own_.html

[MountainDon]

For the air cannon, if you can locate schedule 80 PVC it is stronger. Do NOT use ABS.

[glenn kangiser]

I apologize.  Glenn has never blown anything up unintentionally.


Happy?

Somehow that seems correct, however I have had things that failed to blow up.  

Found out it was improper technique. 

[glenn kangiser]

I apologize.  Glenn has never blown anything up unintentionally.

Happy?

I believe he's blown up a battery or two. Don't think he did it on purpose.

Welders do strange things to batteries.