Panzerhaubitze 2000 (Nerf Artillery)

[nerfingnoob]

I am interested in making a super powerful, long range, artillery-type gun. I think I am going to use a bike pump/air tank to fire the darts. The only problem I am facing is how to even start. I'm thinking a solenoid or ball valve to launch several darts out of 1/2 PVC (side by side). I never had made a homemade before so any advice would help. It would have the obvious air tank at the bottom, with something like ?PVC? to have all the air flows into, then have a few CPVC sticks attached to the ?? so all the air would flow into each. I will make a picture if it sounds unclear. I'm looking to have it look something like this:

PVC Airtank---Unknown---3-4 CPVC barrels.

[Megamannt92]

We need the master's advice....Boomie?

Hmm...powered by a bike pump? If I understand correctly, this is not a mobile weapon right?

You may want to try an air compressor (if you have one). But what do I know, I never made a successful homemade.

As I said, ask the master...Boomie..

[Aguineapig]

I would use a titan as the backbone, then work your way up. homades are very hard to make successfully.

[jwasko]

I assume that this thing is going to be stationary, correct? I also assume that you want really super long range...although, I think there is a limit of how far a nerf dart can go.

If so, make the air chamber out of larger diameter (1" to 2")  PVC. How big is up to you, really. Then, you can put a coupler followed by a bushing (say, 2" to threaded 3/4") on each side. USe PVC cement to put that together.

Then use some short, 3/4" schedule 80, threaded nipples in each bushing. Put a ball valve on one, and use the other to attach a schrader valve (aka a tire valve, which you can attach a standard pump/compressor to).

In order to put a schrader valve (available at AutoZone, etc.) on your homemade, I suggest putting a whole in a threaded 3/4" schedule 80 end cap then pull the schrader valve through. Some rubber cement on the schrader valve first will help seal it.

As far as having multiple barrels, some T-couplers could work. You'll need a male adapter to get to slip-joint piping again.

You shouldn't have too much trouble with this, really. It should have enough power to overcome small flaws such as the somewhat slow air release of a ball valve.

Safety notice: Don't fill it to over 100 psi...not that you really need to get it that high. 70 ish is the most you should need.

Any more questions, just ask.

[Aguineapig]

Dang, you got me on a role, i'm gonna try this too!

--aguineapig

[Megamannt92]

Ok, tell us what you come up with guys.

[Aguineapig]

Yup, i've no experience with homades, so ill most likely use my titan as the backbone, then add 4-5 cpvc barrels and a bipod.

--guineaG

[Deaddumpster]

If you guys ever get a drawing done or begin to build it, put it up in my Concept thread in the Experiments/ Ideas section. That's what the thread is for, so we might as well help you out on there. I'm an expert when it comes to the Titan, so I'll help you in any way I can.

[nerfingnoob]

Since its going to be stationary, how am I going to make the bike pump fill the PVC tank? I can think of anyway.

[jwasko]

Since its going to be stationary, how am I going to make the bike pump fill the PVC tank? I can think of anyway.

I don't understand the question. Any way to rephrase it?

[nerfingnoob]

Umm, how do I make the bike pump fill the air tank for the gun? Or, how can I make the gun fill with air with a bike pump?

[jwasko]

Well, umm...you attach the bike pump, and then you...pump. That's pretty much all there is to it...

If you're talking about how to attach the pump to the gun, you'll need to put a schrader valve somewhere on your gun. Try looking at a place that selles car parts, like Advance Auto Parts.

Drill an appropriate-size hole in something (I used a 3/4" Schedule 80 threaded endcap) and then just pull the valve stem through until it sort of snaps into place. Some rubber cement will help ensure a good seal, and lubricate the valve on the way in. Then, just attach the bike pump as you would to any tire valve.

[nerfingnoob]

Alright, I am doing the MS Paint drawing right now but ran into a problem. Is there a reducer that goes from 3/4" PVC to 1/2" CPVC? Or what should I do? I saw a 3/4"--1/2" PVC reducer but don't know if there is one to CPVC. I don't think the fit would be tight enough in 1/2" PVC.
There is 1/2" copper there though, I hear bad things about copper though.
Edit: How long should the airtank be? And is 1" or 2" for an airtank better for this project.

[jwasko]

You could use the 3/4" PVC to 1/2" PVC reducer, and then just shove a 1/2" PVC coupler into the 3/4" end. It's very convenient how nicely it fits...

As for airtank size, it really depends on how long you want the barrel to be, with some consideration on how far you want it to shoot. Also, if you want a long and narrow tank use 1."  For short and wide, use 2."

What knid of valve are you using, or are you just using a burst seal?

[nerfingnoob]

What knid of valve are you using, or are you just using a burst seal?

I think you mean to release the air... I am going to look for a solenoid valve but if that fails (most likely) then ball valve for sure.  Where should this valve be too? On the tank or further up?