DIY First Strike Rounds

[KMDPB]

I'm attempting to make some fins to attach to a paintball to perform similar to FSRs. This project arose for 2 main reasons. Firstly first strikes are expensive and secondly I don't want to litter our property with little pieces of plastic. I plan to make them from gelatin so they can be easily attached to paintballs and will biodegrade. I'm still prototyping but will keep yall updated if there's any interest. If they work well I will make files available along with a tutorial video.

[OpusX]

My only issue with FS rounds is that they are plastic. You are doing Velcors work good sir!

[Jimmydee]

Have you weighed them? Won’t that weigh more

[KMDPB]

They are slightly heavier, don't think it's going to effect much but I will let you know when I do some testing with them

[BrickHaus]

I'd be Hella interested. Seems like a fun way to spice up single shot.

[BrickHaus]

With paint being so small you can likely make a deeper cup that cradles the sides of the paint.

[KMDPB]

With paint being so small you can likely make a deeper cup that cradles the sides of the paint.

The fins are slightly ductile so im hoping the the air pressure will expand them to the inside of the barrel. I want them to lock into rifling for more spin stabilizing

[Trbo323]

This thread is so MCB. I love it. Interested out of curiosity over anything

Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

[COB]

And so, another member of MCBs think tank steps forward to improve the world around him. I applaud your endeavors and eagerly await the outcome. A FS with the full load of paint. Woohoo! I may get closer to hitting someone.

[markdem]

Yeah im interested. I agree with the plastic litter thing -the only reason i dont use first strike. Keep us updated and i will jump on this project asap

[quillcrest]

Echoing the interest mentioned here. Every field near me does not allow first strikes specifically due to the plastic litter and cutting hazard of the plastic fins. Godspeed.

[Frmrspec]

A couple people have tried something similar, the fins have a tendency to blow off the second air hits them... are you planning on molding the gelatin into the paintball? or molding fins and adhering it to a paintball?

[markdem]

I think it would be best to have them stuck on. You could roll up to the field, buy their paint and start sniping people.

[KMDPB]

I've been doing some testing, I've cast a bunch from gelatin and shot them and they seem to work great. The fins stay on and preform similar to first strikes but I have yet to do a side by side test. The biggest problem I'm having is the shrinkage of gelatin. I have about an hour before the fins start shrinking from water evaporation. Best I've tried is about a 1 to 1 gelatin to water ratio. The less water I use the less the shrink but the more viscous the gelatin making it hard to cast. I've been reading that there are different additives to use such as glycerin so I'll have to experiment with that...

[Myrkul]

Not sure if this helps, but you can get pure glycerin very cheaply from Walmart in the skin care section. At least, that's what I use in my e-cig juice.

[markdem]

My understanding ia that the gelatin ribbon in paintball production is formed with the aid of heat? Perhaps you could get the gelatin to cast more smoothly by heating it up?

All we need now is a chef or a chemical engineer to assist with the additives/ratios. A 1 hour lifespan isnt that bad. The first powered flights were only a couple seconds. We're stepping into new territory and any progress is good progress

[Grendel]

Other than additives you can account for shrinkage in casting by embracing it and finding a stable mix. Then you adjust your mold size to account for the shrinkage.

[KMDPB]

Other than additives you can account for shrinkage in casting by embracing it and finding a stable mix. Then you adjust your mold size to account for the shrinkage.

Yes that's an option too but the seem to kinda deform as they shrink

[jokers]

You need to glue a tail on one and see how it works. 🤣

[Frmrspec]

That has been tried before.. Scenario Dreams used to sell bags of fins

[jokers]

For real?! I was just joking around. Thank you for the info Frmrspec

[Levi]

Yup,never tried them but I remember seeing them online.
jokers

https://youtu.be/J06HdaXoGe8?si=CkjRlGAOzcYMwtdz