26 replies to this topic

[imaseoulman]

Okay, so I wanted to wait to do this until I had the time to post pictures of everything and do it right, but for some reason, in the last couple weeks there has been an explosion of interest in the 2K and how to get better performance out of them. Even now there is a discussion going on based on a KEY misconception about AT2K tanks.

So, look at a SM1500 tank and an AT2K tank. They look pretty similar, right? The firing pin sticking out of the SM1.5K sticks out a bit further than the 2K, but that obviously doesn't make a difference. So why does the SM1.5K shoot so much further?

It's because the opening of the dump valve on the SM1500 is significantly larger.

Look at the "stem" that leads to the turret, the one on the SM1500 is wider, huh? It's allowing more air to get to the dart faster than on the 2K. So how do you remedy this? CUT THE STUPID THING OFF!!! In Greed's current thread he says he did this, but it didn't help. Well, if he cut about 1/16" more off, he would see that the opening suddenly enlarges to the SAME DIAMETER as the SM1500!

The only reason I noticed this was because I cut open a tank once that was already broken in hopes that I could find an easy way to increase the size of the dump valve and its opening. I was pleasantly surprised when all I had to was to cut off that stem within about 3/16" from the base.

After that slap on a coupler (leave just enough of a nub so that you don't get glue in the dump valve) and a 9-10" barrel, and all you L.O.S.E.R.S out there now have a blaster that can shoot 120'+ with around six pumps! THAT'S IT!

Now if you want to maintain that average while turreted, you just need to move the tank a little closer to the turret, drill out the holes that lead from the turret's stem to the barrel, and then replace the stem with a piece of OMC PETG (fit's perfectly). My fourth design using this idea (which, by the way, removes the goo gauge) consistently hits 100'+ with three pumps (mineral oil on the o-ring helps reduce the number of pumps) and 130'+ with six pumps. Angled, at six pumps, it can hit the 200' mark.

I really wanted to do this right, post pics, vids, and share how all these ideas came together and how to do each step perfectly the first time, but lately so many of you seem so close yet so far away from these very simple but effective ideas. JUST IMPROVE AIR FLOW!

Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, airflow is only as efficient as its narrowest point.

I'll try and get this write-up done right on Wednesday (I've got a big magic show this Tuesday and I won't have time until that's over). I hope this at least helped a little.

[perezinthenet]

Thanks for doing this but could you draw a MS paint drawing of where to cut? im about to do this but I need to know where to cut

[jake44]

Haha, I didn't think you were actually going to post this. I eagerly await your write-up.

[Ubermensch]

Wow, I've done this to all of my old AT2ks... I thought it was obvious.

[ChiliPepperFender]

You are the only person that I await for someone to do a write-up or post a topic. Also, I actually read your topics unlike half of the topics on this website. Great mod too.

[Shrub]

Well this is pretty neat and I guess it's why my AT2K got such good ranges and know it doesn't i messed it up.

[imaseoulman]

Wow, I've done this to all of my old AT2ks... I thought it was obvious.

It should be... It's just that most people don't realize that the opening starts out wider and then decreases. Most people just never cut off enough of the stem to realize the potential.

To everybody else, thanks for the encouragement. I'll try really hard to get this going on Wednesday. As for a paint picture, just look at the picture in Greed's thread and cut off about 1/8" more, maybe less. When it's cut at that spot, you can sometimes see that there is a separate piece inside of the stem. If you just scoop it out, that good enough.

[BlackFox]

You are officially my hero. Great discovery! This ought to even things out a little. One friend of mine has a ton of 1500's and I get all the 2k's.

Again, thanks!

[imaseoulman]

You are officially my hero. Great discovery! This ought to even things out a little. One friend of mine has a ton of 1500's and I get all the 2k's.

Again, thanks!

Hahaha, I just hosted a war yesterday and I brought about eight SM1500's (some had AT2K tanks inside instead of SM1500's and with the new mods, nobody could tell the difference, heck I can't without opening it up) and twelve AT2K's. The split was perfectly 50/50. Half the people preferred the 2K's and the other half preferred the 1500's. Now, it's really only about shell comfort. 2K's are a lot cheaper, and maybe these mods will drive down the cost of 1500's, who knows?

[Renegademilitia15]

I think I kinda did this already. If I'm reading this right, you just cut off the white piece sticking out of the airtank right? I did that here and nested some brass on there too.
Good job anyway!

[imaseoulman]

I think I kinda did this already. If I'm reading this right, you just cut off the white piece sticking out of the airtank right? I did that here and nested some brass on there too.
Good job anyway!

If you cut enough of the nub off (about half way down the wider part) then, yeah, you did it. It should a lot more than five to ten feet though, if you use the right barrel length.

There's also the idea of moving the tank closer and widening the turret holes. Without widening the turret holes, the first part (stem removal) is useless.

Edited by imaseoulman, 16 November 2008 - 08:36 PM.

[Greed]

Look at the "stem" that leads to the turret, the one on the SM1500 is wider, huh? It's allowing more air to get to the dart faster than on the 2K. So how do you remedy this? CUT THE STUPID THING OFF!!! In Greed's current thread he says he did this, but it didn't help. Well, if he cut about 1/16" more off, he would see that the opening suddenly enlarges to the SAME DIAMETER as the SM1500!

The only reason I noticed this was because I cut open a tank once that was already broken in hopes that I could find an e

A roseart marker also fits snugly onto the nub, for easy coupling.

[KonkeyKong]

I'm not sure you even need to cut anything. I was messing with my tank tonight, and the longer thinner white piece just popped loose. The thicker section at the base is still a half inch long leaving a great spot to glue your barrel to.

[Galaxy613]

This sounds great. This has given me inspiration to throw togeather a pump for my leaky AT2k tank and try this out.

[Daniel Beaver]

I'm not sure you even need to cut anything. I was messing with my tank tonight, and the longer thinner white piece just popped loose. The thicker section at the base is still a half inch long leaving a great spot to glue your barrel to

Yep, tried this tonight - just grabbed the piece with pliers and twisted a bit, and it popped right out. Very neat - I had no idea you could do this to an AT2k! Makes me excited to single it once I get some PETG from OMC.

[perezinthenet]

Can someone please draw ,e a quick paint picture? I don't want to screw up my tank

[sputnik]

Pictures For Great Justice


Already cut


Front View


With PETG barrel

[forsaken]

Now if you want to maintain that average while turreted, you just need to move the tank a little closer to the turret, drill out the holes that lead from the turret's stem to the barrel, and then replace the stem with a piece of OMC PETG (fit's perfectly). My fourth design using this idea (which, by the way, removes the goo gauge) consistently hits 100'+ with three pumps (mineral oil on the o-ring helps reduce the number of pumps) and 130'+ with six pumps. Angled, at six pumps, it can hit the 200' mark.

I want to see pictures of this adapted for use with the turret (aka not singled)!

[VACC]

And I want to see a picture of Talio's mother naked; it doesn't mean that I'm gonna get it.

What......It's to prove my sasquatch theory!

Fuck you!

[perezinthenet]

Awesome, thanks a ton sputnik, with your pics I just finished mine. Also, imaseoulman, how are the tanks you use holding up with consistent use at 6 pumps?

Edited by perezinthenet, 17 November 2008 - 03:45 PM.

[sputnik]

I want to see pictures of this adapted for use with the turret (aka not singled)!

Deal with it.
I'd be pissy too if I couldn't think of an original username.

Awesome, thanks a ton sputnik, with your pics I just finished mine.

Welcome. Glad to help.

Edited by sputnik, 17 November 2008 - 03:53 PM.

[sputnik]

"Would someone please share pictures of..."

Because I'm a tool for others.

"Would someone (Just Some Bob) please share pictures of an Airtech 2000 with imaseoulman's air dump modification and the turret adapted to utilize it? Many thanks from everyone interested in this topic."

[imaseoulman]

And I want to see a picture of Talio's mother naked; it doesn't mean that I'm gonna get it.

What......It's to prove my sasquatch theory!

Fuck you!

Thank you, Vacc. Thank you.

As I stated yesterday, I'm extremely busy and I will do my best to get a full write-up with pics by Wednesday.

However, JustSomeBob summed it up very well. It is very simple. The only thing his picture doesn't show is the "over-bored" turret to make use of the greater air flow.

The only step JSB didn't implement (which doesn't improve range much more than maybe five more feet) is moving the tank closer to the turret. I'll explain the easiest way to do this (with epoxy putty) in my write up tomorrow.

Thank you, JustSomeBob, for taking the time to post that and thanks also to Sputnik for your contributions. It's great to see the community get together and share information. There's been a lot of that going on lately (especially in the homemades department) and I'm glad to see it. Keep it up guys.

And just a quick note, with this mod, a longer barrel than you're used to helps out. I use about 10" singled and 9" turreted whereas I used to do 6-7".

Edited by imaseoulman, 17 November 2008 - 09:17 PM.

[perezinthenet]

How are the tanks doing after 6 pumps constantly?

Edited by perezinthenet, 17 November 2008 - 08:31 PM.