Vortex Block Construction

[tony48]

I'm going to take up the project of an airsoft bbmg. This is my first experience with automatic guns, I have only worked with piston valves before. I'm quite proficient at working with PVC and making custom parts. I want this gun to eventually run off of regulated co2 so it can be skirmishable or can be used as a fixed gun. I've done extensive reading and this is what I've come up with: correct anything wrong please

1) I'm going to model my gun off of Kaneda's Strafer : http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/kanedas ... -t148.html

2) The vortex block will be modeled off of the Burnt Latke one:
http://www.burntlatke.com/bb.html
I guess I will make it out of bondo although I would prefer something else. Not really sure what else I can use to make it out of though. I don't have complex metal machining tools though so that rules out aluminum.

3) I have an old airsoft gun with an aluminum barrel. I could use this but I would like a better barrel. Any suggestions on length and brands? I know a lot about airsoft so I'm familiar with most brands.

4) I can't find a 2" plug anywhere local. Where should I order from?

5) Will adding a hop-up unit help accuracy much? I would like it to have decent range. If I should add a hop up I will probably add an actual airsoft hop up or make my own version of one using an airsoft rubber bucking.

6) Lastly, the small screw that is behind the vortex block in all designs--is this to hold the vortex block in place from wiggling around?

[clemsonguy1125]

2. I would not use bondo, it wears down fast, as you have acess to a lathe I would turn down HPDE.
3. GunFreak mentioned ordering a airsoft sniper barrel recently so I would PM him. I think it was like 35 bucks and 35 inches but extremly close to 6mm. I believe he got it from airsoftGI.
4. I would check plumbing supply.
5. I would make your own so it is easily replacable because BBMG's have a chance of wearing down the hop up very fast.
6. From what I can tell, yeas.

[Davidvaini]

You can make it out of a peice of pipe. When you think about it a vortex block is just a pipe shape with one air inlet going up and one barrel going out...

Also yes, adding a hopup increases accuracy and range, in fact, with airsoft guns, the hopup plays the largest impact on range and accuracy as it stabilizes the flight path, and adds back spin which causes "lift" which will counter-act the drop of the BB.

For example a 400fps gun with it's hopup turned down will shoot around 70 - 100 feet accurately with .20, but the same gun with it hopup turned up will shoot twice that range accurately.

a 500 fps gun with a hopup turned off will shoot around the same distance at around 80 - 100 feet accurately, but with its hopup turned on, it can acheive an even further range of 200-250 feet.

Now these guns are guns with a nice quality barrel and hopup. I have seen even more drastic differences in cheaper lesser quality guns.


I am a firm beleiver that barrel quality, and hopup quality is the number one thing that improves accuracy and range.

So look for a barrel with a tighter tolerance to 6mm, brakeline for example can be .25inches which is 6.35mm which is way too over-sized. A low quality airsoft barrel is around 6.14 which again is a little over-sized.

[tony48]

Ok I'll get an airsoft brass barrel and rig up a hop up system. Anyone know what a piece of round stock hdpe big enough to make a tee vortex would cost? Edit: nvm-$8.65/ft for 2"

Alternative method is laminated pieces of sheet PVC or acrylic that is then turned round on the lathe And drilled on the drill press. I have all bits necesary including Forstner bits for the vortex hole

And I've tried all local hardware and plumbing stores so looking at an online order now for the 2" plug

[Davidvaini]

did you read my comment about using pvc pipe for the vortex block itself... just a little section of 3/4 inch PVC pipe.. then drill a little hole for an air inlet and a hole for a barrel... no need to buy hdpe material and using a lathe....

[tony48]

did you read my comment about using pvc pipe for the vortex block itself... just a little section of 3/4 inch PVC pipe.. then drill a little hole for an air inlet and a hole for a barrel... no need to buy hdpe material and using a lathe....

But I don't understand how this will be secured in the tee. I guess I could rig something up but it would be nice to have a solid chunk of hdpe although I'd rather not have to spend that money. I'd rather spend it on a regator....I'm having trouble finding a cheap one

[3VIL G3NIUS]

did you read my comment about using pvc pipe for the vortex block itself... just a little section of 3/4 inch PVC pipe.. then drill a little hole for an air inlet and a hole for a barrel... no need to buy hdpe material and using a lathe....

But I don't understand how this will be secured in the tee. I guess I could rig something up but it would be nice to have a solid chunk of hdpe although I'd rather not have to spend that money. I'd rather spend it on a regator....I'm having trouble finding a cheap one

You could always do a vortex cap, the magazines on them are generally spring and plunger assisted, so you won't need to shake the gun to get the ammo flowing again.