imaseoulman

Well, it's been almost two years, but I'm finally officially qualified to operate a U.S. Navy Nuclear Power and Propulsion Plant! Thanks to every one who has wished me well along the way!

It's been a pretty tough program and it's a huge relief to be done with my initial quals. I get a week off and then, because I was lucky enough to be selected for further training (a good thing) as an Engineering Laboratory Technician. I start ELT school after the week off and the qual process for that takes about three months, so I'll be around for some northeast nerfing this spring...if schedules work out.

Also, since I'm just talking about my life, I had a baby on Dec. 27th. Beautiful baby girl with lots of long blonde hair. I now have three children under the age of three (until this weekend).

This is something I've wondered about for quite some time. Typically we only give thought to maximizing air flow, limiting dead space, and generally creating flow paths with the least resistance possible. What I wonder about is the possibility of using nozzles to increase the speed of the air entering and expanding in the barrel, thereby increasing acceleration of the dart. I don't have a very strong background in physics or engineering (I majored in psychology) but I have had classes on fluid dynamics and their applications.

In steam plants, we utilize "air ejectors" to help create a vacuum to which we exhaust steam after it leaves the turbine. The air ejectors "suck" air out of a system by accelerating steam through a nozzle to such a high speed that the pressure drops to a near perfect vacuum and through eduction and entrainment "pulls" the air out of the system it's attached to.

For those of you familiar with fluid dynamics, we know that mass flow rate = density * area * speed. So as the fluid enters the nozzle and it becomes more restrictive (the diameter goes down) the speed goes to maintain constant mass flow rate. The unique thing about nozzles is that after it reaches the critical pressure ratio in the throat (most restrictive part of convergent divergent nozzle) as the fluid expands again, it continues to accelerate, instead of slowing down again.

Here is a more detailed explanation with pressure-velocity and mollier diagrams.

So, for those of you with more understanding of physics and machining than I have, is there a way to incorporate this into Nerf applications? Could it allow shorter barrels due to increased acceleration? Is there any way to use the convergent divergent idea?

I put this in the off topic section because it's theory and not yet home made or general nerf. Thanks for any feedback.

So this is an idea I wanted to throw out there that is in development just beyond the concept phase. I did a test run and had satisfactory results and I think there is some GREAT potential for someone who has more than seven free minutes a week to fiddle with NERF.

The idea is pretty simple: use a NERF manufactured magazine (such as for the LongShot, Recon, etc.) as a hopper clip instead of being breach fed. What I'm talking about is making the magazine "air-tight" so that you don't need a breach.

I made a very crude proof of concept and a stock NF fired about 15' but I'm pretty sure that could be greatly improved as my barrel was roughly cut PETG with many snag parts and to "seal" the magazine I just threw on some e-tape and hot glue (obviously not ideal).

Operation:
Essentially you seal your barrel to your magazine via whatever coupling method you desire to use (deodorant container, warped PVC, whatever) and then start firing. Because the magazine is well sealed, the dart fires close to "singled" ranges.

What I'm hoping for:
Get this made well enough to attach to a drum magazine and attach blaster of choice to many rounds of rapid fire awesome. I'm not sure if this will work or not, but it seems possible for a clever modder. Hopefully I find the time to do this or somebody else does and it works well. Could make this very interesting.

Since last Saturday was so much fun, I figured we could try round two this next holiday weekend. I'll be able to do a better job as a host this time as I know where the place is and I'll have more time to prepare. First thing to do I guess is figure out which day works best. The only Saturdays that work for me are the 19th and the 26th and the 19th would be kinda rough, but definitely workable if that accommodates more of you guys. But, since it is the holidays and a lot of people have time off from work and school, a weekday might work also, so here are the possible dates:

Saturdays:
19th or
26th

Weekdays:
21st-23rd (Mon. - Wed.) or
28th-31st (Mon. - Thur.)


Post which days are best and worst for you and let's get this rolling. Even if we only get eight people, it's definitely worth it. This time my people might actually commit and show up.

Sound off, have fun, NERF on.
-imaseoulman

It sounds like there is enough interest to pull this off, so let's get moving on this.

Northern Virginia Thanksgiving War
When: November 27th/28th
Time: 10:00AM-Everybody pansies out and goes home
Where: http://maps.google.c...006968&t=h&z=18
Rules: Pretty relaxed. Bring ammo, bring friends, have fun. Bans will be determined on a case by case basis.


Attendees:
Imaseoulman + 1-2
Eboreg
Galaxy613 + 1
LOMHawkeye + 2
CaptainSlug (Probably)
T dog
Phree Agent

WOW! We've got ten people! That's a good war right there.

Let's get more to commit! See you all there this Saturday!


What to expect? A small war that will be a ton of fun. I don't know about you guys, but I like to have fun while NERFing. Expect a variety of games, but mostly standard team 3-15 and CTF (my personal favorite). If you have an idea for a game, we'll try it out.

When I NERF I play hard and I'm very competitive. To keep things fun I will not tolerate whining/complaining/cheating. Remember, NERF is on your honor, so man up and play for fun. Arguing about hits is not fun so it will not happen. Also, despite what some of you think, pain is not fun. If a blaster is so powerful people would rather quit than get hit by it, it probably needs to be banned. Use all of your blasters responsibly. I will be bringing some of my more unusual creations to show off and experiment with, feel free to do the same, but make sure you have a sturdy primary.

Make sure to sound off about which day works better and where you would prefer it takes place (right now I'm leaning toward somewhere in Loudon county).

Now get your gear ready, convince some friends to join you and let's make this happen! NERF on!


==========Original Post=======
I'll be visiting family in Northern Virginia this Thanksgiving weekend and I was wondering if anybody would be interested in getting together for a war on that Friday or Saturday (27th or 28th). Even if only a few people could show up I think it would be worth it.

I don't have a place picked out, but I know a lot of good areas around there to get things going if there's enough interest.

So, nothing too solid, but:

When: Nov. 27th or 28th
Where: TBD (Norther VA/DC/Maryland area)
Rules: Pretty lax.

Let's see if we can get a few people out on the weekend.

NERF ON!


Also, if there isn't enough interest for a NERF war I'd also be down to just meet up with some NERFers for a jam session talking about ideas for NERF, working on a joint project, etc., maybe over BBQ or something (I feel like I have to call "No Homo" or it becomes a date if only one person showed up). Anyway, a little unconventional to post something like this, but I thought I'd try.