10 replies to this topic

[Beomagi]

Hi all. I recently made my own air blaster (details here http://nerfhaven.com...mps/?p=358583).

 

it's an air pressure blaster using a bike pump. Even if it's not pumped a lot (~25-30 psi) so as not to shoot too hard, it's still destroying my darts. Is this normal with high power or pressured air based blasters? With the ekind darts, after a few shots, the rubber tops fly off. The green elite darts from the zombie strike stuff I bought is pretty much ripped in two with the top flying off.

 

Could it be a problem with the barrel? I'm using 9/16" brass tubing.

Edited by Beomagi, 19 March 2017 - 01:03 PM.

[Thatone]

Your dart fit's too tight I would swap it out for 17/32 brass one or a 1/2 petg barrel.

[TheNerfZilla]

17/32 is smaller than 9/16, it will be even tighter. That said, I would experiment with a tighter dart fit, as well as looser. PETG might actually be about the same as 9/16 though, I'm not sure off the top of my head but they're pretty similar.

Try a tighter barrel, I have a feeling that might actually help. I use a tight barrel on air blasters with stock darts, and I don't usually have them split.

[Beomagi]

17/32 is smaller than 9/16, it will be even tighter. That said, I would experiment with a tighter dart fit, as well as looser. PETG might actually be about the same as 9/16 though, I'm not sure off the top of my head but they're pretty similar.

Try a tighter barrel, I have a feeling that might actually help. I use a tight barrel on air blasters with stock darts, and I don't usually have them split.

I have some 17/32 I can try, and some cpvc as well on the way. what PETG tubes would you recommend?

[Snoop Doggy doge]

The heads of the dart coming off are due to just ekind darts being weak. The heads come off very easily. However, you might just have to lower the PSI because most air blasters operate at like, 10 PSI if I recall correctly. Otherwise, invest in some other sturdier darts, I recommend USCs 

[TheNerfZilla]

I have some 17/32 I can try, and some cpvc as well on the way. what PETG tubes would you recommend?

I have no clue how to find PETG in a retail store or even online. The PETG I have was thrown in for free by someone on here who was selling me some other stuff, but I have looked and I've been unsuccessful in finding it to purchase directly.

[snakerbot]

I have no clue how to find PETG in a retail store or even online. The PETG I have was thrown in for free by someone on here who was selling me some other stuff, but I have looked and I've been unsuccessful in finding it to purchase directly.

2044T43 on Mcmaster-carr. I doubt this would solve your problem though, as the diameter is very similar to the brass you're already using. I'm inclined to agree with Snoop Doggy doge and the problem is your darts.

[TheNerfZilla]

2044T43 on Mcmaster-carr. I doubt this would solve your problem though, as the diameter is very similar to the brass you're already using. I'm inclined to agree with Snoop Doggy doge and the problem is your darts.

The problem probably is the darts, but you can shoot those darts without splitting them, which I'm assuming is his idea. For my xbz, I use 12" of 17/32 with 8" of PETG on the end, and I'm hitting ~225 consistently with elites and first gen black ACCs.

[Astech]

Air blasters don't really depend on pressure to fire further - they normally use high volumes and longer barrels for that purpose. If your tank can go above 60 PSI, then you might want to consider adding a regulator to it to get ~ 10 PSI shots. What's happening with your darts is that there is a pressure difference between the front of the dart and the back which, because of the hollow center, is exerting more of a forward force on the tip of the dart than the foam walls.

 

In essence, this extra force is enough when using high pressure air (20+ PSI) to push the head of the dart off before it leaves the barrel. In the case of Zombie strike darts, the inertia of the foam combined with th very short glue section on the tip of the dart make the tips very easy to fly off.

 

If you're unwilling to go the oute of buying more darts or fancier barrel materials, you could try dabbing a bit of hot glue down the hole in the dart until it covers the top of the glued on part of the dart. That way the air pressure isn't pressing on the dart tip, but instead on the glue which is firmly anchored to the foam.

[Snoop Doggy doge]

PETG is sold by Jim Tepper, or Draconis,
I recommend this wider bore .527 aluminum, 
there's other stuff but I trust aluminum

[Zack the Mack]

I run Ekind waffle 'drats' and can confirm that the glue is too weak for good airgun performance. They leak air around the heads, the heads bind in the barrel, and the pressure can easily blow the heads clean out.

 

I'd recommend buying suction 'drats', Kooshes, or FVJ's, which usually have more glue.

 

You can also use really long, loose barrels in airguns. The huge volume of air can accelerate a dart without a tight seal.