9 replies to this topic

[Bubba Longshot]

After reading the magnetic blaster thread, I had an idea. What if the catch could be magnetically powered? So there would be a strong magnet a centimeter or so before the plunger head (in the head). When you prime it, the plunger head magnet attracts to another magnet on the trigger (where a SNAP hole would go). Then, pulling the trigger would lower the catch magnet, and release the plunger head.
<---_ the arrow would be the plunger head, and the underscore would be the catch magnet.
Primed:
<-_
It catches by the attraction of the plunger head magnet, to the trigger magnet. When you lower the trigger, the trigger magnet is lowered, and the plunger head is pushed forward by a compression spring.
What do you guys think?

Edited by Bubba Longshot, 12 May 2017 - 06:01 PM.

[CaptainSlug]

A magnet strong enough to counteract that much perpendicular force will require an equally large amount of force to disengage. And if you're moving the magnet around anyways, you could just move a normal catch instead.

 

The only magnet type that wouldn't need to be moved would be an electromagnet. But now you've added a battery to a spring plunger blaster that wouldn't otherwise need one.

[Bubba Longshot]

A magnet strong enough to counteract that much perpendicular force will require an equally large amount of force to disengage. And if you're moving the magnet around anyways, you could just move a normal catch instead.
 
The only magnet type that wouldn't need to be moved would be an electromagnet. But now you've added a battery to a spring plunger blaster that wouldn't otherwise need one.

That makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. It looks like magnets and dart blasters don't get along.
However, an electromagnet would make the system work. But just not in a practical, cost efficient way.

Edited by Bubba Longshot, 12 May 2017 - 06:41 PM.

[Lasagna]

Why not use the magnet as a catch spring? Mag in the handle, mag on the catch to pull towards the handle mag. A rainbow would probably be best for this.

[ToadBrews]

Why not use the magnet as a catch spring? Mag in the handle, mag on the catch to pull towards the handle mag. A rainbow would probably be best for this.

 

The question when you are trying to justify a weird variation on a functional design isn't 'why not' it's 'why?'

[Lasagna]

 
The question when you are trying to justify a weird variation on a functional design isn't 'why not' it's 'why?'

I know, jut providing some food for thought. Like lasagna.
On second thought, you wouldn't need the magnet on the vatch, the screw would be attracted to the magnet.

[KaneTheMediocre]

Why not use the magnet as a catch spring? Mag in the handle, mag on the catch to pull towards the handle mag. A rainbow would probably be best for this.

Should work fine.  Also remember that 2 magnets can push as well, so your catchspring can also push up from the handle if you're into that (I am).

Probably not better than using a regular spring in either case, but maybe you'll discover something interesting along the way.

[PraisinBran]

Should work fine.  Also remember that 2 magnets can push as well, so your catchspring can also push up from the handle if you're into that (I am).

Probably not better than using a regular spring in either case, but maybe you'll discover something interesting along the way.

This seems like a fantastic idea, as two magnets repelling each other would probably be able to make for a more secure catch than the tiny puny springs we use similar to click pens.  Not to mention maybe allowing for a more firm trigger pull potentially as well.  

[Silly]

But same problems as in that other thread. Not enough force without dangerously high electrical currents and potentially electronic damaging magnetic fields.

[Meaker VI]

But same problems as in that other thread. Not enough force without dangerously high electrical currents and potentially electronic damaging magnetic fields.

 

Maybe in a plunger assembly, but not nessecarily in a catch spring. The problem before was that you loose force with distance. A plunger needs to move significant distance to generate much force (or be giant), so you'd need a exponentially more powerful magnet to make it work. A catch, on the other hand, moves 1/4" at most. It'd probably be easy enough to make work, but the question is why when a cheaper, more readily available option (the spring), exists.