33 replies to this topic

[SgNerf]

Hi all,

I'm posting up this mod for those of you nerfers who are fans of the Magstrike.

This is a setup for the Magstrike that fully automates its air supply system, along with customised accessories to enhance its usability.

Lets begin...

Air Compressor Mod

Step 1: Obtain Pressure-rated Air Hoses, Air Hose Couplers and Tire Valves. In the photo below, i've displayed the various components that can be used.

Tire valves can be sourced from car workshops or garages.

The transparent pressure-rated air hoses are 6mm OD / 4mm ID in dimension, exact match for the original Magstrike air hoses.

I usually use 2 types of air hose couplers for my mods, the transparent ones are nylon barbed tee or splicer air hose couplers, these will require additional clamping or epoxy glue to secure them to the air hoses.

The black-coloured air hose couplers are special tee or splicer air hose couplers that feature a quick-release system. Just insert the air hose in to engage the automatic internal clamp and air seal. To detach, just press the blue plastic collar to release it.

Pressure-rated air hoses and couplers can be sourced from pneumatic equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

In this mod, i'll be using the quick-release air hose couplers so that the system can be modular.




Step 2: Obtain a Portable Car Tire Air Compressor, a 12V Sealed Rechargable Battery, a 12V Plug Adaptor and a set of Electrical Cables.

Portable car tire air compressors can be sourced from car workshops or garages.

The 12V sealed rechargable battery, 12V plug adaptor and electrical cables can be sourced from electronics or hardware stores.




Step 3: Open up the Magstrike. Make sure it is a fully working unit without any air leaks.

DO NOT remove or plug the over-pressure valve (OPV).

If the OPV has been disabled, DO NOT perform this mod until its enabled or properly repaired.

When the Magstrike is connected to an air compressor, the OPV will act as a constant safe-guard to prevent over inflation (and resulting rupturing) of the air bladder system by releasing excess air pressure, it has to be functioning properly to avoid damage to the blaster (or user).




Step 4: Cut the air hose between the air pump and air bladder system. Remove the original air pump.




Step 5: Connect the air hose and quick-release splicer air hose coupler.




Step 6: Attach the air hose to the tire valve using 2-part epoxy glue, make sure the glue fills all the gaps but yet does not seep into the connection to ensure an unrestricted air-flow.

In my example, i used a smaller section of air hose connected to the tire valve, for modular design, and connected it to another quick-release splicer air hose coupler.

Connect the tire valve to the air compressor, which is in turn linked up to the 12V battery.

Test it out to check that everything is working properly, the air bladder should fill up and stay filled for an extended period of time, any decrease in pressure will indicate a leak somewhere in the system.

For those interested to know, the air compressor i use has an in-built pressure gauge, so i can track that the air bladder at full air volume (without the white retaining shell and after the OPV activates) is operating at around 50-60 PSI.




Step 7: Assemble the Magstrike casing... and its done!




Add-on Step: To fully automate the air compressor system, install an automatic "cut-off" switch to the air compressor's electrical circuit.

I used a "push-to-off" switch which can be sourced from electrical parts supply stores. When the air bladder fills up and expands to a certain size, its OPV plastic assembly will press onto the switch, thereby switching off the air compressor. When the Magstrike is fired and the air bladder decreases in size, the switch will then be released and the air compressor will resume pumping air. This system regulates the air compressor to automatically pump air only when required.




Ammo Clip Management

With all that continuous supply of air pressure, the Magstrike will now need ALOT of clips.

Magstrike clips are much larger than N-Strike clips though... so how to carry them efficiently?

To solve that issue, i customised an Ammo Clip Belt System which consists of a thick nylon tactical belt with adjustable "dump" pouches that fit the Magstrike clips.




Harness System

I'm not keen on the idea of tethering cables or hoses from waist pouches or backpacks to blasters, i've found that method ungainly and too restrictive. Loose cables tend to get tangled up easily, especially when quick response and fast movement is required during games.

So i customised an Air Compressor System Harness to mount the entire system onto the Magstrike itself. Therefore, a Magstrike with the air compressor system can now become a completely stand-alone unit, which offers the best combination of flexibility and mobility.



Overall, the entire air compressor system (incl. battery) adds around 1.3kg to the Magstrike. It is abit heavier to carry, but i managed to adjust the weight distribution for equal weight balance between both harness pouches, so the blaster can still be held and fired comfortably.



Ready to go!


Test Fire & Demo Video

>> YouTube Video of the Magstrike Air Compressor Mod in Action!

Yeah, i know... the air compressor is quite a noisy piece of equipment!

Okay, hope you guys enjoyed this mod!

Edited by SgNerf, 28 March 2010 - 01:29 PM.

[MindWarrior]

Holy crap, must be a bit heavy, but DANG that things gonna rock on any indoor war you have, unless its in a stadium.

[Fome]

Man, I've been playing around with an idea like this for a while, and to see it actually executed makes me very happy. I especially love the switch in the rear of the bladder. Anyone who actually uses a magstrike knows the practical limits of the gun, specifically pump times between reloading. Being able to just pick it up and rock breaths all new live into this blaster. Awesome job.

One concern, however, does the pack on the side of the gun interfere with the gun's ergonomics? Looks like it would bump into your chest while shouldered.

How did you decide on that air compressor?

[hummer]

This mod is worthy of this

[jaybo1996]

Wouldn't this be a very expensive project?

[Banshee]

Wouldn't this be a very expensive project?

I was about to ask this as well. How much did this mod run you in the bank? I'm sure its worth it, but if I did it myself, what kind of money are we looking at?

[Forsaken angel24]

That's fucking awesome.

[minsc]

I like this a lot, but how did you make the "custom" bags and holders? Everything else is surprisingly easy, I'm surprised this hasn't been done before.

[SgNerf]

Thanks for all the cool feedback!

One concern, however, does the pack on the side of the gun interfere with the gun's ergonomics? Looks like it would bump into your chest while shouldered.

How did you decide on that air compressor?

I adjusted the harness pack positions so that when the magstrike is positioned against my shoulder, the air compressor pack is still at least an inch or two away from my chest, so there is no direct contact with it. The good part about the harness system is that all the straps are adjustable so i can adjust the pack positions for a comfortable fit.

The vibrations from the air compressor is actually quite minimal, and the "cut-off" switch helps to control the air compressor so it only pumps in short bursts when required.

I got that particular air compressor originally for my car. I chose that model because it had a pressure gauge... and it was on sale for just SGD$20 (USD$14+).

Wouldn't this be a very expensive project?

I was about to ask this as well. How much did this mod run you in the bank? I'm sure its worth it, but if I did it myself, what kind of money are we looking at?

Overall, its actually relatively affordable to make, and the components are all modular (nothing is glued or permanently connected) so the parts can easily be transferred to other projects too.

Here is a list of the mod materials which i sourced from my local stores (in SG) along with the parts prices (converted to approx $USD equivalent):

Tire Valves @ $0.50 each or free (Any car workshop or tire shop)
Pressure-rated Air Hoses @ $0.70 per metre
Pressure-rated Quick Release Air Couplers @ $1.00-$1.50 per pc

Portable Car Tire Air Compressor @ $15-$20
12V Sealed Rechargable Battery @ $10
12V Battery Charger @ $10
12V Plug Adapter @ $1-$2
Electrical Cables with Croc Clips @ $0.50 a pack

Nylon Adjustable Strap Harness @ $5
Nylon Pouches @ $5-$10 each

The main work involved was basically going around sourcing for all the modding materials, but once everything was obtained, the actual modding of the Magstrike only took less than 10 minutes!

Edited by SgNerf, 26 May 2010 - 01:10 AM.

[SgNerf]

I like this a lot, but how did you make the "custom" bags and holders?

The harness system is customised from an adjustable strap webbing that was originally designed to hold sports water bottles, and the pouches are MOLLE-compatible modular tactical pouches attached to the strap webbing.

I got the harness and pouches from outdoor/tactical sports shops.

Edited by SgNerf, 29 March 2010 - 06:32 AM.

[CaptainSlug]

Interesting, but I can't imagine carrying around 7 extra pounds of stuff attached to a magstrike would be all that comfortable. It would make a little more sense to put all of that equipment into a backpack, rather than loading it onto the blaster itself.

How many shots do you get per battery charge?

Edited by CaptainSlug, 29 March 2010 - 07:47 AM.

[SgNerf]

Yup, the extra 1.3kg (around 3 lbs) does add abit of extra heft to the blaster, but i've found it still manageable to carry around and use in games.

I might swap the air compressor to an even smaller unit (i spotted another version thats almost half the size at a hardware store recently), so that could help reduce the size and weight of the system even further.

I've tested putting all the components in a backpack and a waist pouch too, but i didn't feel as comfortable with that method, it's just personal preference i guess. Anyways, modders can easily customise their own system load-out to suit their equipment preference.

For the compact 12V sealed rechargable battery, the one i use has a 1.3Ah capacity, not alot but i was going for the smallest and lightest (and cheapest) version at the battery supply shop.

So far, on a single charge, its been able to pump enough air to fire around 50+ clips before the voltage drops and the air compressor motor starts to slow down. Enough to last a few game rounds.

Btw, i've also tested other battery sources like using 8-10 x AA batteries and also R/C Li-Po batteries, the air compressor could run from those sources too, though the compressor motor's performance tends to vary depending on the voltage quality of the battery sources.

Edited by SgNerf, 30 March 2010 - 03:36 AM.

[bourbon]

Wow. This is simply amazing. I was going to build a backpack airtank for my RF20 but this is way cooler. You have near infinite air, and as fast as you can stuff darts in the turret it can be fired. This mod actually makes automatics a viable choice in Nerf wars. Having to pump 10-20 times between each encounter really sucks. Now you only have to worry about the darts.

Where did you find that button shutoff switch, at a electronics store?

Edited by bourbon, 29 March 2010 - 03:40 PM.

[Lt Stefan]

This doesn't shoot any farther than stock right?

[ice]

I like your switches with it, but the concept is old news...


link

[zaphodB]

No, idiot. The innovation is not adding a compressor to a nerf gun. That's been done a few times. The innovation here is that the compressor automagically turns on when it is needed, and turns off when it is not. You wired a dildo to a battery and put it in a ziplock bag. It's different.

Also, why the fuck does there have to be multiple people in every good thread saying "oh, that's cool, I actually thought of that a fortnight ago." Quit derailing excellent threads with your sub-par shit.

Edited by zaphodB, 29 March 2010 - 05:04 PM.

[TantumBull]

No, idiot. The innovation is not adding a compressor to a nerf gun. That's been done a few times. The innovation here is that the compressor automagically turns on when it is needed, and turns off when it is not. You wired a dildo to a battery and put it in a ziplock bag. It's different.

Also, why the fuck does there have to be multiple people in every good thread saying "oh, that's cool, I actually thought of that a fortnight ago." Quit derailing excellent threads with your sub-par shit.

I <3 U

SgNerf: Really awesome execution. Very clean. And that cut-off switch is just killer. Also, I've been looking into cheap alternatives to hand pumping up enormous air reservoirs, and have stumbled across the 12V compressors. Bob has swayed me away from them for the most part, but I was wondering how yours is holding up. I'm especially curious as to how high of a pressure that thing can actually pump up to versus the advertised max pressure.

[SgNerf]

...Where did you find that button shutoff switch, at a electronics store?

I get my switches and circuit components from a local electronics parts supply store that specialises in such items.

This doesn't shoot any farther than stock right?

The firing piston is still stock, so there is no significant change in the range. This particular air compressor mod is just to automate the air supply system. The firing piston can be easily modded seperately for increased range though.

I like your switches with it, but the concept is old news...

link

Yup, i've checked out your Titan air compressor mod too (its an interesting setup you put together there), along with other similiar air compressor mods like Landru's RF20 "Caedo" air compressor mod.

I was actually looking for a Magstrike air compressor mod but couldn't find a proper one, so i decided to just do it instead. Surprisingly, it was easier than i expected. I figured the Magstrike would be a good candidate for an air compressor mod 'cos amongst the various compressed air powered Nerf blasters, its the only one so far that uses a clip-based ammo system, so it solves the whole issue of ammo reloads (assuming the user has enough magstrike clips!).

... I'm especially curious as to how high of a pressure that thing can actually pump up to versus the advertised max pressure.

The portable car tire air compressor i use is rated to pump up to 150 PSI (there are other versions i've seen that can pump up to 300 PSI).

So far, i've only tested getting the Magstrike air bladder pumped up steadily to around 70+ PSI, but by then the air bladder had become way larger than when its normally full (it could no longer fit into the blaster casing), and i didn't proceed further for fear of it rupturing.

I guess its possible for an air compressor to reach its advertised max pressure, but that would depend on whether the blaster's air bladder or air tank system can handle it.

Edited by SgNerf, 03 April 2010 - 04:56 AM.

[W477Z]

that is beast. but i do have a question, i've been getting ready to do this mod for a while now and i was wondering...if you made the air hose of the compressor able to unscrew from the outside of the gun and modded the internals of another magstrike, do you think that would be practical? the reason for this is that i want to single-shot one of them but still have the option to keep a fully auto weapon with me. i just figure, if i could harness all of the air power that shoots 10 darts 15-20ft (guess on the range, probly wrong just don't feel like testing) and use it to shoot one at a time, wouldn't it be tons more powerful?

Edited by W477Z, 10 April 2010 - 08:19 AM.

[Foam Ninja]

that is beast. but i do have a question, i've been getting ready to do this mod for a while now and i was wondering...if you made the air hose of the compressor able to unscrew from the outside of the gun and modded the internals of another magstrike, do you think that would be practical? the reason for this is that i want to single-shot one of them but still have the option to keep a fully auto weapon with me. i just figure, if i could harness all of the air power that shoots 10 darts 15-20ft (guess on the range, probly wrong just don't feel like testing) and use it to shoot one at a time, wouldn't it be tons more powerful?

No it wouldn't be more powerful for the main reason being that the Magstrike has a long discharge rate. Basicly meaning after the dart has left the barrel there would still be air coming out. Unless your planing on couplering the Magstrike or making an RSCB that has a long enough barrel.

[W477Z]

that is beast. but i do have a question, i've been getting ready to do this mod for a while now and i was wondering...if you made the air hose of the compressor able to unscrew from the outside of the gun and modded the internals of another magstrike, do you think that would be practical? the reason for this is that i want to single-shot one of them but still have the option to keep a fully auto weapon with me. i just figure, if i could harness all of the air power that shoots 10 darts 15-20ft (guess on the range, probly wrong just don't feel like testing) and use it to shoot one at a time, wouldn't it be tons more powerful?

No it wouldn't be more powerful for the main reason being that the Magstrike has a long discharge rate. Basicly meaning after the dart has left the barrel there would still be air coming out. Unless your planing on couplering the Magstrike or making an RSCB that has a long enough barrel.

Oh, thank you first of all for clearing that up. now that i think about it, if i replace the actual firing system with a single-shot tank it should work. so, really i would just be harvesting the magstrike shell and the air pump and bladder system. thanks!

now i look back and thought to myself...i must look retarded now...it just didn't occur to me but if i just make a barrel connected directly to the bladder and trigger system it should work just fine.

Edited by W477Z, 10 April 2010 - 02:25 PM.

[zaphodB]

Twice in one thread? Alright, if I must.

No. Idiot. You have zero understanding about how a magstrike works, and what makes it different from, say, a titan. Taking a system that is designed to shoot a heavy projectile once and modifying it to propel a small projectile once will result in greater range. Taking a system that is designed to shoot multiple small projectiles and modifying it to shoot one small projectile will result in little to no range increase, followed by a long hissing noise.

Someone (and I say "someone" rather than "you" because, lets be honest with each other here.) could, and have done, attached a magstrike bladder to a firefly with a 2k tank in it.
But that system
a.) is finicky under the best of circumstances
b.) requires a lot of work, skill, and thought.

Feel free to single your magstrike anyway though. Take lots of pictures, I could do with a laugh.

Edited by zaphodB, 10 April 2010 - 03:19 PM.

[W477Z]

Twice in one thread? Alright, if I must.

No. Idiot. You have zero understanding about how a magstrike works, and what makes it different from, say, a titan. Taking a system that is designed to shoot a heavy projectile once and modifying it to propel a small projectile once will result in greater range. Taking a system that is designed to shoot multiple small projectiles and modifying it to shoot one small projectile will result in little to no range increase, followed by a long hissing noise.

Someone (and I say "someone" rather than "you" because, lets be honest with each other here.) could, and have done, attached a magstrike bladder to a firefly with a 2k tank in it.
But that system
a.) is finicky under the best of circumstances
b.) requires a lot of work, skill, and thought.

Feel free to single your magstrike anyway though. Take lots of pictures, I could do with a laugh.

hey, lets chill out and not douche about this alright. i don't think you understand what i'm talking about, I would be taking out the part of the magstrike that makes it an automatic--basically just having a compressor, a tank, a release valve(trigger), connected to a barrel, and (like i posted earlier) only harvest the magstrike for the shell and bladder. and, besides, isn't this a place where we should help each other out instead of being a**holes to each other?

and also, i think that i will post this once finished just to piss you off.

Edited by W477Z, 24 April 2010 - 05:49 PM.

[W477Z]

I would be taking out the part of the magstrike that makes it an automatic--basically just having a compressor, a tank, a release valve(trigger), connected to a barrel, and (like i posted earlier) only harvest the magstrike for the shell and bladder.

Still won't work.

Blasters need a chamber of some kind, with a valve that releases a blast of air much faster than the MS trigger valve could ever hope to. Unless you think you can wield a blaster with a barrel that'll probably have to be more than six feet long, to accelerate a dart from the ridiculously SLOW release of air.

first off, thank you for not being a dick like some people on the internet. so, from my understanding, a ms trigger has a slow release rate, correct? so its simply the ms internals are all made for the use of automatic firing. but, using internals from a single shot pump gun w/ a magstrike bladder(or a bigger one, such as a titan) would work? but thanks again!

Edited by W477Z, 24 April 2010 - 11:18 PM.

[EUGENE]

The kind of rubber tire valve in your pictures is the kind I have used in a whole slew of air cannons and nerf mods. The only problem I have found with the rubber kind is after around a year or two of use they begin to leak. There is another kind I have started to use that is two pieces and it uses a rubber gasket and washer so It will almost never leak. Although If It does manage to leak You can just tighten the two sides a bit more Insead of getting a new valve. It pays you back but just barely pays you back sort of like a high mileage car but hey, for me that whole whoopin two dollars is a lot to me. Also, this mod is freakin amazing. I will be trying it. (: