Nelson power tubes

[Kit]

I am looking to make Phantom style power tubes. What material would you make the power tube and valve nut out of?

[Jonnydread]

What'cha making them for?

[Kit]

For my splatmaster kits. I went to make a phantom power tube order and saw the price hike. I shortened the CCI power tubes anyways, so I figured I would just make them.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Like what material to make them out of? Stainless I feel would be the obvious answer. But a Titanium internals might be cool for Science.

Maybe that would throw off the balance and be super expensive. Probably won’t do anything for performance and just increase cost and labor.

Brass is probably to soft a material. Delrin is probably to brittle.

What material other then Stainless were you thinking?

[Kit]

Titanium would be cool but probably no benefits. I didn't think the CCI power tubes were stainless because I have a few that are rusted where I cut them off. But I'm not sure. I was thinking regular cold or hot rolled steel bars because they are cheap. Stainless could be a pain to drill and thread if you don't have the right tooling.

[Chuck E Ducky]

You sure I have seen the springs rust but power tubes never seen it. Sure it’s not just pieces of a spring getting embedded in the stainless and rusting.

[RedLeaderSB]

Stainless, maybe 416 because free machining.

[RedLeaderSB]

Maybe 316 for extra corrosion resistance.

[Kit]

Learned something today. Never knew there are free machining stainless. I thought all stainless are a pain to machine. 416 stainless it is, Thanks

[Grendel]

I suspect Mike made them out of 304 (304,304L or 304H) as it is the most readily available stock in various sizes, has good toughness and is easily machined. Your stainless steel hardware (nuts bolts screws...etc) typically are made of 304.

[netsurferdude2]

So I took the power tube and valve nut and shot them with our Niton gun at work.

They are a low alloy steel. Probably like a 4140 or 4120.

There is a heavy Nickel plate on the parts as well.

Cup seals are made with C360 free machining brass.

[Kit]

Had to look up what a niton gun is. That would be a fun toy to play with. Thanks

[infamoussmiley]

I am looking to make Phantom style power tubes. What material would you make the power tube and valve nut out of?

Kit, If you ARE looking to make power tubes, would you consider a few for the Razorback?

Best,

Smiley

[Kit]

Got dimensions? I can make a small run of them.

[infamoussmiley]

Kit, If you ARE looking to make power tubes, would you consider a few for the Razorback?

Best,

Smiley

YESS!!! I have samples of tubes...

Best,

Smiley

[flyweightnate]

Try something really easy like 12L14 if you'll just plate it anyways. 4130 isn't too bad either, but has to be passivated and/ or pickled to have any hope of not rusting quickly.