semi blowgun!!!

[iknowmy3tables]

Well I know I'm not the only person who is working on or considering making a semi auto or auto refilling gun so this should be helpful to a lot of people. and we know about sleeve valves http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=160& but I think I found a way to do this with a blowgun.

after being frustrated with the mess of my valve on the third try due to my crappy craftsmanship I got annoyed knowing that my new gun just wouldn't cut it without (edit) a 3way 2position pilot valve(/edit). so I started to take apart one of my blowguns and realized that the piston was a lot like the piston in my attempted inside-out slide valve

(the design should be fine I'm just a crappy craftsman) so I thought of a way to make my blowgun exhaust air when squeezed it. and within minutes I made this

I raised the handle so you can sorta see how I changed the button on this

piston device in blowgun

a view of the piston, sorry that my pics suck Its hard to get a clear view of the tiny mechanisms

I haven't tested this on a valve cause I don't have the proper fittings but I did do some testing with a quick connect the only problem is that the piston wants to pop all the way up into a closed position when handle is released I can easily fix that with some kind of mechanical device that restricts the lever from raising too high, and on the bright side it has potential for a safety

Sorry if you are still unclear on this I'll try to add some more descriptions and diagrams later

[FeLeX]

So how does this work? You got a main chamber then you shoot and after that the main chamber fills up the seconday? or...?

[iknowmy3tables]

I'm a little busy right now but quickly I'll try to answer: you may have seen Clyde's slider gun http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=160& this thread is a good reference for semi autos. The mod I did is for a basic blowgun to replicate the task of a sleeve valve this could be a ground breaking thing. pretty much when the valve is serving this purpose the air source such as a compressor would connect to the input side, the output would connect to the valve actuator porting and that is exhausted when firing comes out from around the button of the blowgun which by the way I grinded down to flow better

[FeLeX]

Ohhhhh I get it now!! Its a really good idea but It seems like it would be a paint in the butt to acomplish. Probably the main reason this isnt aprealing to is because I dont have a compressor.
Are you sure its going to able ti hande the pressure after it is modified? If it would to leak would that screw it all up?

[A-98]

It seems like it would be a paint in the butt to acomplish.

lol, that sounds pretty uncomfortable.

nice idea, im not 100% on it, but i understand it well enough.

[clide]

Nice work. So when the blowgun trigger is all the way depressed it vents the outlet side to atmosphere and seals off the inlet?

I've also experimented with turning a blowgun into a 3-way. I made it so that the outlet side vented to atmosphere when the blowgun was in the normal position. So you would pull the blowgun trigger to charge the gun and releasing the trigger would fire, but I couldn't get very good flow out of the vent. I kept meaning to try different kinds of blowguns, but never got around to it. I'll try to get some pictures of mine if I can remember.

[iknowmy3tables]

Actually it vents around the button when I squeeze
I don't know what you did clide but your a really good machinist and you could probably alter that blowgun however you wanted

today I found a way to use the fittings I have so I tested this on a sprinkler valve and it works. its pretty fast like faster than the manual bleed switch and probably the solinoid and almost as fast as a normal blowgun but you have to pull the trigger quickly

meanwhile before I get pics here's a diagram of a normal blowgun vs may modded semi blowgun
Heres what a normal blowgun looks like when in the natural position

heres what a mod semi blowgun looks like in the natural position

as you can see I extended the top of the piston by dilling a tiny hole and placing a small panel nail in it, second I gridded down the edges of the piston near the top so it could vent better it was pretty easy since this is made from soft metal, finally I cut the spring with pliers so it's shorter and works in this new position

[imablackskater]

that looks like it took a lot out of your porn time but you should still feel great you acomplished something highly useful and innovative.

[iknowmy3tables]

very funny
I was actually studying for the test I today, I think I failed it but at least Its Friday so I can get the pics of the valve and chamber that is once I find the camera you'll probably like the chamber/stock its not that big but its enough for a repeater. It's made from 1"pvc and has a unique shape to make it realistic and comfortable

[clide]

My goal in modding the blowgun was to have a simple 3-way valve that anybody could make, so no fancy tools were used, just a drill and a dremel. The blowgun I first modded had the upper seal in the blowgun body and it sealed around the plunger, so I ground the plunger so that the small area extended just beyond the seal and ground out the body on one side to allow flow out.

On a blowgun like this one it would be even easier and give better flow, you could just drill out that top brass piece to right below where the o-ring seals in it's closed state.

Here are a few diagrams that hopefully help. It would be hooked up to the gun the same as yours, but operation would be the opposite, push to fill and release to fire. So your method provides a more intuitive trigger.

[iknowmy3tables]

Sorry I took so friggen long I lost the camera. but I done with the gun


the blow gun is encased in the wooden handle (to be attached later) do you think it is a bad idea to have the duct tape on the stock. its not all duct tape but the tape there is used to make it look less like a skeleton frame and has slots for holding ammo like a speed loader on a shotgun
but I want to know what you think since I want to earn favor the of voters in the contest

[Lockednloaded]

I know i'm posting in a dead topic here, but i know for a fact that this member is still here, and am really curious about this modification.

from the pictures, i have no idea what parts you modded and how. i understand clide's diagrams, but thats a different method, if its not too much trouble could you dig up an old diagram for me?

[chinnerz]

yeah i'm in the same boat as you mate :S can you just tell us what happens when you open close the valve, ill try and come up with a diagram

[iknowmy3tables]

fair enough, here's some new cleaner diagrams, go by these diagrams

I want you guys to know that the the lesson in this mod is that any sliding rubber seal with a port mounted on the side of the shaft can be used as a unbalanced 3way pilot valve,

also does any one know how to get a link for a specific reply in a thread? in the future I want to link people to this specific post so they don't get confused by the other diagrams

and now for the diagrams pay attention to the comments

[Gun Freak]

Thanks for that IKM3T, I've been thinking about this mod for a while. I might have to try this, as I just drew up a bolt action catridge reloading and ejecting mechanism. Just one thing though, why do you have to add the nail? Is it because you trim the spring and you have to make the button higher? Thanks.