9 replies to this topic

[Noob Modder]

I have a BBB, and I dremel'd out the barrel so that it's smooth on the inside (no nubs) and the ARs are removed.
I put in a RoseArt™ barrel (like a Crayola barrel, but a different kind of marker). Around that I put 1/2 inch pvc.
A stock dart goes into the pvc, and fires about 50 feet.
The stock barrel is, out of the box, kind of wobbly. The pvc barrel extension is wobbly also, because it's not glued onto the RoseArt barrel.
If I were to stabilize both the stock and pvc barrels, and use 5/8-inch stefans, how far would it fly? My guess it 70', but I'm not sure.

[hierarchy]

I don't think it would get 70'. If you want ranges like that I wouldn't be using crayola barrels. Just go buy some brass or PETG and then you might be able to achieve the ranges you are trying to get.

[Mugatu]

I don't think it would get 70'. If you want ranges like that I wouldn't be using crayola barrels. Just go buy some brass or PETG and then you might be able to achieve the ranges you are trying to get.

I have to strongly disagree here. My modded BBB uses a plastic tube similar to a marker shaft but it's actually a shot of alchohol in a plastic test tube like the kind in a kids science kit that I got a whole ton of from a friend. I found this tube causes an extremely air-tight but loose fit due to its tapered profile and will propel streamline darts no less than 80' and in excess of up to 100' due to how crazy their flight can be. With my 2" custom Stefans it will propel them reliably to ~100' with a slight angle of about 5 degrees without any problems. Maximum distance with a ~15-20 degree angle resulted in long walks to recover the darts and many being lost =( though the longest I've measured from firing to resting position was ~130' with no wind outdoors.

I didn't reinforce the barrel to stop it from wiggling since I haven't had reason to be sad with the performance of my BBB. The plastic test tube worked perfectly and was shear luck that I came into having so many at my disposal.

The custom Stefans also will leave marks on the body and one of them almost took off a fingernail, after a loading accident, due to the force generated when it launches. These darts are beasts and are the culmination of different Stefans I've made. The best I've launched to date!

Edited by Mugatu, 31 May 2008 - 09:13 PM.

[Noob Modder]

Well, mixed reviews.
Mugatu makes a strong point in the favor of the goodness of my mod, and seems very scientifically tested.
A third opinion would help to make me more sure, but I'm hopeful.

[Retiate]

Hierarchy's right.
If you're planning on firing megas (5/8" Stefans), you won't hit 70'. My couplered BBB hits like low-mid 60's with megas, and it has a spring replacement and a better barrel system than a crayola/PVC sleeve.
With micros, the marker/PVC barrel set up has been pretty successful for many people. You would most likely get better results with a good brass/PETG barrel, unless you're using stock darts, then the barrel you're using is the way to go.
I would highly recommend chopping the stock barrel off and gluing a coupler on instead.

[Noob Modder]

What, exactly, is a coupler?

[keef]

Its a PVC (or other) fitting used to connect two pieces of pipe together, instead of ordering ultra long pieces, and to save extra pipe.

We use them as a barrel holder. Glue in on the air source and then you can stick your barrel in it (just so it can be pulled off) so you get a good seal, and the ability to load stefans (home made darts) in the back of the barrel.

I use 1/2" PVC because with some tape, you can use brass, PETG, and more.

[mystefansdontflystraight]

Keef is right about the coupler. They are the best, and if you nest something in them, will be awesome with micros. If you want to use megas like I said, I would just use the PVC. This Roseart thing sounds interesting, but the better seal gluing it would give is really not going to add 20ft to the range. I would PVC coupler it if I were you.

[Mugatu]

Just thought I'd post an update about the performance of my modded BBB that uses a barrel shorter than 6" and similar to the markers that others use.

I was on a break at work and decided to see how high the BBB would launch darts vertically and they made it on top of the roof of the 7th floor/8th floor balcony from a squatting position. Now vertical travel is considerably shorter than horizontal travel but 7 floors in my building totals over 80'. I don't know if a longer barrel would increase the range but i'm getting ranges similar to, if not better, than those reported with longer barrels made from brass, petg or other such material. Petg is great stuff and I use it for other barrels though it doesn't taper at all which generally requires a different method for air-sealing.

The only thing I can think of that makes the plastic test tubes I used perform so well in comparison to other plastics is that it appears to be some form of really dense, yet brittle, plexiglass without the static cling. The lack of static not generated by the plastic may be the sole contributing factor to the ranges I'm getting with such a short barrel. Now if only I can find some longer lengths to test this theory.

I plan to begin modding my second BBB sometime in the near future in the same manner as my first and will take pics to piece together a guide to help you out Noob Modder and everyone else that may be interested in short barrel modifications.

In closing, it's really great to know that there are so many materials and resources at our disposal in our attempts to increase the performance of our dart blasters! Cheers!

[Noob Modder]

I used a coupler to put on the pvc barrel, into which I put an attachment of dremel'd out pvc to fit mega's.