This week I added a writeup about my first homemade which I am just going to call DR-3 from this point. The page is here. This was really the first attempt at a truly ergonomic and aesthetically-pleasing water gun. I outlined what I did to design it (and redesign it) as well as the successes and failures of the gun as a whole. In all, I think it would be an informative read. I wrote a good portion of this back in 2006 and 2007; I just decided to finish it today.
On a side note, I'll add more pictures to it later.
DR-3 Writeup
- Drenchenator
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DR-3 Writeup
The Drenchenator, also known as Lt. Col. Drench.
- Silence
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Re: DR-3 Writeup
The article did sum up the thread well while adding some information about the earlier designs. And thanks for setting a precedent for complete parts lists. And finally, it inspired me to go back and re-read your water balloon launcher/Nerf gun article.
Perhaps this thread should be in the News forum. Many websites update their news page with content updates, and we might as well do the same.
Perhaps this thread should be in the News forum. Many websites update their news page with content updates, and we might as well do the same.
- Drenchenator
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Re: DR-3 Writeup
Thanks! I moved it to News.
I tried to be as thorough as possible in the writeup, excluding building instructions of course. The parts list was just one of the things that I had ready for a serious "how-to" kind of guide, but since the gun wasn't finished, that guide never got finished too. I wanted to write something a lot like Ben's SuperCAP article--listing what went well and what didn't. I'm just really surprised that no one else ever tried something like this in the two years that passed since I started it. Now maybe someone will.
I tried to be as thorough as possible in the writeup, excluding building instructions of course. The parts list was just one of the things that I had ready for a serious "how-to" kind of guide, but since the gun wasn't finished, that guide never got finished too. I wanted to write something a lot like Ben's SuperCAP article--listing what went well and what didn't. I'm just really surprised that no one else ever tried something like this in the two years that passed since I started it. Now maybe someone will.
The Drenchenator, also known as Lt. Col. Drench.
- Drenchenator
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Re: DR-3 Writeup
I added more pictures, including three of the gun shooting.
The Drenchenator, also known as Lt. Col. Drench.
- C-A_99
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Re: DR-3 Writeup
Several annoying limitations, such as using 3/4" for the pipe that goes before the nozzle (partly because I was an idiot and thought LRT was more powerful than it is) on my CPH, have prevented me from building a trigger system. Perhaps I could create a better handle than the torque arm I'm currently using, but doubt that'll ever happen.
- Drenchenator
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Re: DR-3 Writeup
I'd recommend just doing more calculations beforehand. I got the valve to open but never was able to get it to close because I didn't do any calculations for the trigger system. With the right force and moment calculations, there's no reason why you can't get the valve to open. But you have to do them; it's the only way to really get it to work.
The Drenchenator, also known as Lt. Col. Drench.