11 replies to this topic

[Raj Man]

I finally found some 1/2" copper piping in my basement! Yay! Only problem is, the copper is in horrible condition, its reeaaly dirty, so dirty that you can only FAINTLY see the copper color through all the crap. I was thinking that I would be able to sand off some of the crap and then use lemon juice to thoroughly cleanse it out. I know that that works for copper pennies, but will it work for copper piping? I know that pennies are also coated in zinc, so that may be the only reason it works for pennies. Basically, how can I clean it out well enough to use for modding? Thanks!

...wow, that was the most non-structured paragraph I have ever written in my life...

[Ryan201821]

...so what?

I found copper at my local Home Depot and found that it is a little heavy and doesn't fit darts very well. Not good barrel material. At least for my darts.

Edited by Ryan201821, 13 June 2006 - 03:52 PM.

[Carbon]

Pennies are zinc that has been plated with copper (no zinc coating), so your piping will clean the same way.

Copper pipe is non-traditional barrel material, and it's heavy, but some people's darts fit in it very well. To each their own.

[Raj Man]

I'm actually nesting something that fits my darts (I think!) inside the copper (something=dollar store gun barrel) so fit won't be a problem. Yeah, thanks for clearing that up Carbon. I'll clean it out with lemon juice and sand paper as soon as I can. Again, thanks!

Edited by Raj Man, 13 June 2006 - 05:01 PM.

[Carbon]

Try using some salt with your lemon juice. Unless you have some serious crusted on corrosion, you shouldn't need any sandpaper at all.

[z80]

Why would you nest it in something so heavy? Just attach the barrel and be done with it.

[sporkboyofjustice]

OK, I can't help it. This is not the place to be asking about having your pipes cleaned. There are other sites for that and I didn't need to know that your "basement piping" is "really dirty".

Edited by sporkboyofjustice, 14 June 2006 - 04:02 PM.

[Maverick Master]

OK, I can't help it. This is not the place to be asking about having your pipes cleaned. There are other sites for that and I didn't need to know that your "basement piping" is "really dirty".

Well then what is this site for. Nerf last I checked. Now he was asking how to clean the pipe so he could use it on a nerf gun. So don't try to come in here yelling at people.. Also here we all answer many off topic questions like "should I get a PSP or X-Box 360." Don't come in here and be like this. I understand but please use your head. Also I would bet if you look at the pipes in your basement they are very dirty too. Especially if they have been sitting unatched to something.

Edited by Maverick Master, 14 June 2006 - 04:12 PM.

[Carbon]

OK, I can't help it. This is not the place to be asking about having your pipes cleaned. There are other sites for that and I didn't need to know that your "basement piping" is "really dirty".

Well then what is this site for. Nerf last I checked. Now he was asking how to clean the pipe so he could use it on a nerf gun. So don't try to come in here yelling at people..

Dude...it was a joke. Also called "innuendo".

[Master Yogurt]

Of course it's an appropriate subject. It's not like he's going to be using the piping in some home improvement project - he wants to Nerf with it. Where is the logic in telling someone to go to an entirely different forum for help with something that is both topical and easy to fix?

Anyhow, what length of pipe is it? If you really want to use copper, you may just be better off buying a foot or two for $2 at Home Depot, rather than waste some lemons. If it's a lot of pipe it may be good to rescue it...

If anything, I find that copper pipes make good blowguns. My favorite primary is a 4' section of copper piping. Of course, if I had any brass, I might favor that... I haven't had the money or initiave to order online yet, and good luck finding brass tubing in western PA. It's nigh impossible. Of course, since I spraypaint my darts hunter orange (makes them actually findable), and I think they tend to be a bit thicker than most people's micros in the first place, I get a better fit in copper. While I might skip using it as a barrel material, it definitely works out very well as a blowgun.

Still, it seems like something quite heavy to mount a barrel in. I don't know if mounting something in copper would actually help.

[sporkboyofjustice]

OK, I can't help it. This is not the place to be asking about having your pipes cleaned. There are other sites for that and I didn't need to know that your "basement piping" is "really dirty".

Well then what is this site for. Nerf last I checked. Now he was asking how to clean the pipe so he could use it on a nerf gun. So don't try to come in here yelling at people..

Dude...it was a joke. Also called "innuendo".

Of course it was a joke. Used to be a time when someone would post something dirty and you could run with it. Who was it that posted detailed instructions on blowing darts down a barrel. Man, those were the days.

[CaptainSlug]

Copper is easy to clean with a combination of ketchup with wire wool or fine grit sandpaper. Vinegar will also work, but isn't as easy to control and makes a smellier mess. The main ingredient in ketchup is Vinegar, but for some reason the added antioxidants and the fact that it's easier to keep on the material you're trying to clean makes it a fairly effective mildly-acidic cleaning solution.

Edited by CaptainSlug, 17 June 2006 - 09:32 PM.