11 replies to this topic

[BoxProper]

I was wanting to attempt to create my own from scratch and was wondering if lever action is a viable option?

I always liked these sorts of rifles and prefer longer nerf weapons. It seems to me that there is space saved where there s no clip allowing the gun to be just a long construct. Obviously reloading would most likely be vastly inferior though. SO in this case perhaps I shoudl instead put my efforts into making something with a clip instead?

I have not seen a homemade on this forum (which I lurk around on but have not often posted) for a lever action weapon. Is it impractical?

This swinging motion of the right hand would in my estimation have to A: chamber the next round, and B: cock the spring mechanism (where to place the plunger is sort of escaping me. Perhaps in the stock? But that is at a angle to the rest of the weapon. Perhaps under the cylinder containing the rounds?)

If this is a tired or impractical concept plese let me know.

[voidSkipper]

The Rapid Fire Rifle made by Buzz Bee is a lever action clip fed Nerf rifle available retail. While most of the community seems to hate it, I'm very happy with mine, and if you want to make a lever action rifle, you could probably get some ideas from it's mechanism.

EDIT: Also, the plunger is located outside of the barrel in this particular rifle, and air is delivered through a tube when the trigger is pulled.

Edited by voidSkipper, 16 December 2007 - 03:17 AM.

[Carbon]

Part of what makes a lever action difficult (ignoring the complexity of a lever action that chambers another round) is the strength of materials needed in order to use a lever with a spring that's worth your time and effort. A stronger spring entails a very strong lever, stronger anchor point...and even then, a lever that has high mechanical advantage doesn't move very far on the short end of the pivot. You could adjust the pivot, but then it's harder to cock.

You get the idea. A lot of futzing for something that mainly has cool going for it, and not much practicality.

[keef]

What if he made a air gun, with the RSBC or whatever system? Thats kinda lever action...

[BoxProper]

Part of what makes a lever action difficult (ignoring the complexity of a lever action that chambers another round) is the strength of materials needed in order to use a lever with a spring that's worth your time and effort. A stronger spring entails a very strong lever, stronger anchor point...and even then, a lever that has high mechanical advantage doesn't move very far on the short end of the pivot. You could adjust the pivot, but then it's harder to cock.

You get the idea. A lot of futzing for something that mainly has cool going for it, and not much practicality.

I was worrying that would be the verdict. I had some ideas using some and very large cogs from a old clock I have here in order to assemble a stronger spring cocking mechanism though. The main problem I foresee is using the 90degree turn to pull back a spring that far... That and the thing is probably inferior in all ways to a clip loaded semi auto air gun...

I came up with a preliminary sketch of how to get the rounds to load at the least...

Edited by BoxProper, 16 December 2007 - 10:54 PM.

[Scotch]

i agree with Keef, An air gun is a lot easier than a spring gun. But from the pictures it seems you really know what you're doing. I can't wait to see when it's done.

[keef]

The gears would be really hard to fit and work correctly in PVC pipe. Unless you drill holes and put in a gear holder or something... How would the triangle-like block go up to let a dart in the reciever?

[NerfRifleman]

this might be off subject but, what program did you use to make those drawings?

[BoxProper]

The gears would be really hard to fit and work correctly in PVC pipe. Unless you drill holes and put in a gear holder or something... How would the triangle-like block go up to let a dart in the reciever?

that trapezoid shaped thing is just a bracket for the wire.

I have noticed that I am going to have a problem with the dart hitting the barrel shrouf/breech door/whatever before its opened. I think perhaps the solution would be to place the spring pressure on it from the other side. Throwing it open and closing it slowly on the return swing of the arm.

I am still at a loss for how to get the spring to go back far enough and cock into place...

I am mostly doing this because I think it will look really cool with allt he gears and springs. I may even paint it copperish and maybe cut and stain wooden parts for it. Steam punk it up a bit

I had considered doing a air powered gun but do not understand the mechanics involved yet. Is there a good gun to buy to tear apart and analyze? Or perhaps a good article here on these forums?

this might be off subject but, what program did you use to make those drawings?

Adobe Illustrator CS2

Edited by BoxProper, 17 December 2007 - 08:27 PM.

[CaptainSlug]

I had considered doing a air powered gun but do not understand the mechanics involved yet. Is there a good gun to buy to tear apart and analyze? Or perhaps a good article here on these forums?

There are no comprehensive articles on the specifics of engineering air-powered homemades. If there were I wouldn't have to go through so much experimentation.
I recommend avoiding them because there are very few valves you can buy that will work as an effective trigger. The few options available are ball valves, sprinkler valves, and hose handle valves.

[shadowkid33]

I'd like to throw out there that your spring-loaded system for delivering darts to the firing chamber may not be the greatest idea. I think that the darts would get crushed easily.

[BoxProper]

I'd like to throw out there that your spring-loaded system for delivering darts to the firing chamber may not be the greatest idea. I think that the darts would get crushed easily.

I had also thought of this. I suppose the only practical way to do this without smashing my darts is to reduce the number of darts used to like 6-8 tops, use 'shells'. Neither of which sound attractive. Perhaps a lever action is just not suited to nerf ammunitions.