hi, I'm new here.

Threads related to water balloon launchers.
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DX
Posts: 1780
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:00 pm

Post by DX » Wed May 16, 2007 2:45 am

Depends on the type of ball valve. Firstly, 1" is the smallest valve you want. Most larger ball valves are brass [I can find 2, 3, and even 4" PVC valves but they are ridiculously expensive]. That is a personal choice - prices vary by region. Everyone complains how expensive metal valves are in comparison, but I could drag them into a "local" hardware store [national chain, regional chain, actually local, any sized store really we have multiples of everything] and prove the exact opposite. Rural area = PVC probably cheaper, big metro area = metal probably cheaper. Next, you probably want to go with a threaded valve for either. If your valve has threads, you can connect it with a male adaptor on each side and can therefore screw on/off the barrel and pc. This can be useful later.

You might not need a brace if you make your elbow connections as short as possible. I tend to try to get things like that compact enough to simply wrap duct tape around them. Pipe saddles work really well if you do need a form or brace to hold the barrel and pc in place.
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Specter
Posts: 474
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 4:57 pm

Post by Specter » Wed May 16, 2007 3:01 am

ok i can see how the valve having threads can be useful. Like can change the barrel.

I don't know what a pipe saddle is, can you briefly explain what it is and does? (i cant seem to find anything useful off google.)

hydroblast
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 4:20 am

Water balloon Bazooka and W.B mortar.

Post by hydroblast » Wed May 16, 2007 4:52 am

I realize I'm new here, but I make and sell all types of water balloon shooters. Its easy with the right peices.
I built a W.B mortar that will shoot 9 to 12 balloons up to 700 feet. No I,m not jokeing. My bazooka was featured on attack of the show about 4 weeks ago.
Please check out myaircannons to see all the crazy stuff I make.
Thanks Randy

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Silence
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Joined: Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:01 pm

Post by Silence » Wed May 16, 2007 9:28 pm

Search for pipe saddles on McMaster-Carr. They essentially fit over some pipe and you put the end of another tube or fitting over it. But it's a nice design, and if you need a brace, duct tape might work better than a pipe saddle. ;)

Most areas have PVC ball valves cheaper than metal. And it's more of an industrial-nonindustrial thing than a city-county thing.

Welcome aboard, hydroblast! Where are your air cannons? Do you have pictures? Sure sounds interesting, I'd like to check them out!

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Specter
Posts: 474
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 4:57 pm

Post by Specter » Thu May 17, 2007 12:43 am

for a brace i will probably use some foam and duct tape, considering duct tape is the best invention ever, and i have some tough foam laying around.

and you guys always throw that mcmaster name around, i've known about that before i came here, because we order robot parts from there at my school.
My "arsenal": Customizable APH, Storm 600 pistol (still haven't finished fixing this), launcher- Model:AB1.0(Decommissioned), AB1.5, soon AB 1.1(2"rebuild) maybe ill get something else in the future
My site Image My website/forum is back up and running, for the most part after it having been deleted in october

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SSCBen
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Post by SSCBen » Thu May 17, 2007 10:56 am

Welcome to the forums Hydroblast! Enjoy your stay.

SilentGuy, his website is http://www.myaircannons.com/

hydroblast
Posts: 19
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 4:20 am

If its wet... we can shoot it!

Post by hydroblast » Tue Jun 05, 2007 5:11 am

Hi guys
Thanks for the welcome.
I'm cronically busy being thats its summer and all,(building too many water toys).
I do a lot of design work, and as times permits I want to offer some of this back to you all here.
Thanks Hydro...

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