Re: 2010 homemade water gun competition
Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:45 pm
I missed the range part. I read your earlier ranges before you improved the nozzle. As I said, I've been busy and haven't been able to look as closely as I would like to. 
The site's down for the moment. I think we have a page that shows how to use straws to "laminate" the stream better, potentially leading to better range.
As for the primer, there's a reason code requires it. Sandpaper seems to be a somewhat popular alternative, but it's dangerous for the reasons I detailed. What is his justification? I've heard some people who use sandpaper say that it makes the surface rougher so the "PVC glue" sticks better. That shows a misunderstanding about how PVC cement works. PVC cement is a solvent welder. This means that the two pieces are not glued; they become welded together into one piece. The surface roughness is not important as it is with epoxies and other glues.
What you should do to prepare a pipe to be PVC cemented is clear if you read the side of the can. The pipe should be clean, and primer should be used to soften the pipe so that the cement can penetrate further into the material. See this page: http://www.oatey.com/Plumber/FAQ.html#Q01
Depending on how the pipe is stressed, nothing might happen, but why take chances? A small can of primer will last you a long time. It definitely prepares the pipe better than sandpaper.
You'll probably be fine, but in the future, please use primer.
The site's down for the moment. I think we have a page that shows how to use straws to "laminate" the stream better, potentially leading to better range.
As for the primer, there's a reason code requires it. Sandpaper seems to be a somewhat popular alternative, but it's dangerous for the reasons I detailed. What is his justification? I've heard some people who use sandpaper say that it makes the surface rougher so the "PVC glue" sticks better. That shows a misunderstanding about how PVC cement works. PVC cement is a solvent welder. This means that the two pieces are not glued; they become welded together into one piece. The surface roughness is not important as it is with epoxies and other glues.
What you should do to prepare a pipe to be PVC cemented is clear if you read the side of the can. The pipe should be clean, and primer should be used to soften the pipe so that the cement can penetrate further into the material. See this page: http://www.oatey.com/Plumber/FAQ.html#Q01
Depending on how the pipe is stressed, nothing might happen, but why take chances? A small can of primer will last you a long time. It definitely prepares the pipe better than sandpaper.
You'll probably be fine, but in the future, please use primer.