Pod10 - Refill 10 rd tubes on-field

[Rainmaker]

This was an idea I had about a year ago, and even had a thread up on the old site before The Hack. I got the bug in my bonnet this morning to revisit the project, so restarting the thread.

The idea is to have a Drop10 integrated into a pod. I would wear a 10 round tube harness as my main source of paint during the action, but also have a couple pods in a pod pack for resupply. Then when my tubes are empty, I can refill from the Pods during slow times, and not have to leave the field.

At least, that's how the idea sounds in my head.

Version 1 of the Pod10 from last year had a few issues:
- Paint stagger-stacking in the throat, binding up and not filling tubes quickly
- Paint detent was not strong enough to keep paint from falling out when not in use
- Snap lid too tight, hard to remove from pod.

Also there are a few unknowns as far as how these will actually work out during play.
- Will I be able to fill the pods to the point of no rattling paint while running, but still have good ball drop when going to fill tubes?
- Will the motion of running cause paint to drop out past the detents?
- Will I actually shoot enough to warrant having ~300 rounds extra paint with me?
- Can I carry the exact number of tubes that equal 1 full pod, so I don't have half a pod rattling around in my pack?

Anyway - I made some edits to the model, and Version 2 is on the printer now. More to come.

[Butch3r]

I made something similar that used to be up on the old site with instructions and all. mine was different in that:
- I drilled a hole in the bottom of a pod and ran a length of flexible conduit hose into the hole

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/carlon-3-4-inch-non-metallic-liquitight-100-feet-coil/1000117040

the conduit is waterproof and pretty crush resistant so I never worried about crushing paint
- my dads good with a sewing machine so with his help I made a sleeve that fit over the entire thing and allowed me to hang it off the back of my tac vest (right shoulder)
- their were a few ways to construct the open feed end, one would be to just stuff the cut off top of a ten round tube and stuff it into the flexible conduit and just use the 10 round tube cap to keep it closed, this method would work good for filling a phantom removing the need to carry tubes all together. the method I went with was to sew in some rigid plastic to make it open and close like a coin purse.

I found the same issue as you with paint bunging up at the funnel of the pod but with the length of flexible conduit coming off the pod long enough to hold about 40 rounds as it wrapped around from my right shoulder to my left hip I could load a hand full of tubes before it stopped feeding and as I ran around and played it would dislodge the bung and refill the length of flexible conduit.
I started a build of a second version a while back but never got around to sewing up a new cover for it to complete the project (maybe this winter) but the new version got rid of the pod all together using coper plumbing parts with the same flexible conduit. Essentially I have the same length wrapping down to my hip but instead went through some plumbing parts, I made a diagram to explain it better but the concept was to reduce the overall thickness so I can lay on by back easier and crawl through the bush with less snags, I also have hopes the new design will bung up less frequently.

[Butch3r]

Another pro tip for using a pod this way is to line it with something like a thin foam sheet like the kind you might find at a hobby store or arts and craft store, the idea being that your only taking a handful of paint out of the pod at a time and by lining the inside you can reduce the sound the rest of the paintballs make as they bounce around so you don't sound like a rattler and give away your position while you run/sneak around. you can even cut a little circle and glue it to the inside of the pod lid. got this idea from a BORG vid I saw many years ago, dude had a lot of great budget ideas... RIP.

[Rainmaker]

Nice! That is really cool, and a neat approach to the idea. If i had mine setup like that, I'd put a Drop10 on the end of the flexible hose, and affix it to my vest or something. Then I could possibly one-hand refill tubes. Or just skip the tubes and one-hand refill the feed on my Phantom. Hmmm, more things to ponder now...

[Chuck E Ducky]

I do like this idea. I’m always afraid leaving a hopper in the staging area someone’s going to take it. This would be a great alternative. For quick turn over games. I would buy one. A lot of times I will just carry a half bag of paint just in case I need to fill some tubes for turn over games this would be so much more convenient. If you can figure out a way so that they grav feed like you other power options that would be awesome!

[moving_target]

I'd love to buy something like this, or build, for scenario games. Would be great to be able to carry to refill without having to totally remove myself from the game for a bit

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s what I’m thinking to. You could throw this at the net on the way in. When you get low walk back a bit fill up change out and get right back in it.

[Grendel]

Another great idea for filing tubes! I guess I need to buy one or two of these now

[THE_Incredible_Hulk]

I like these ideas. Subbing to read again later.

[BLachance75]

How about designing an insert for a pod that divides a pod into sections that will hold 10 rounds. Someone used to make pods that had 6 or 7 sections that each held 10 balls. If you could design an insert for either 100 or 140 round pods it would be very similar. 3d print a base then a center mast going up with fins coming off of it that go close to the side of a pod. Then you could have a wheel on the top that has 1 opening. You spin the wheel to and dump the balls from that chamber into a 10 round tube.

[SignOfZeta]

Call me crazy but...with the same volume that the space wang takes up...couldn’t you just...carry more tubes? Like...just fill your pod pack with more ten round tubes instead of pods with adaptors that have to be loaded into tubes.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I don’t think it’s to carry on the field I guess you could. I want one More to quickly fill tubes between games. For instance I use dual gauntlets that only hold 80 total shots. A lot of fields will play multiple games before everyone runs out of air and paint. I could just top off the tubes I carry between points. I really like the idea as I’m not leaving my $150 hopper in the staging area unattended. Just a “Pod”

[Rainmaker]

Call me crazy but...with the same volume that the space wang takes up...couldn’t you just...carry more tubes? Like...just fill your pod pack with more ten round tubes instead of pods with adaptors that have to be loaded into tubes.

Hey you, with your rational opinions and common sensical ideas, you watch yourself buddy! I don't like your tone!

But seriously, that could work and basically accomplish the same thing. BUT, my idea for myself personally is to run a smaller tube holder (leaning toward the ten tube drop-leg harness), and then only have extra paint on my torso. Reason being that the paint on my leg would be easier to manipulate, I don't really like trying to access tubes on my back during action. I COULD run a second 10 rd tube harness on my torso, but then I'd be swapping empties into my back harness, which is hard to see. Pulling pods from my back and returning them to the pack feels easier.

[Rainmaker]

V2 it's off the printer. Works pretty well! Needs a little shake and bake action to get tubes filled, but nothing more than a gravity hopper. Just need ro print a second one and get out to play sometime soon.

Also probably remove the stock pod lids.

(Video in a sec, hang Chilly...)

[Chuck E Ducky]

I would definitely buy one of those. That would be perfect for me. I could leave that by the net on the way in. Top off between points. It would protect the paint better then a bag to. I think I would leave the pod lid on it to help keep it from rolling off the staging area tables.

[JonM]

This is a good idea for carrying extra paint, but I'd suggest using all of it at once when reloading. Otherwise you'll have loose balls bouncing around in your pod causing a racket and possibly breaking.