Making PVC Nerf Aero Rocket Launchers

[Knight4612]

Apologies if this isn't the correct forum, but figured I would try.

I've made PVC launchers using a ball valve which connected to a 5 inch steel pipe and then to C02 quick change. If I used a high pressure valve connected directly to the C02 quick changer (I.e. no 5 inch pipe air chamber), would there be an issue?

I'm just trying to shorten the length of the valve/air chamber needed.

[BrickHaus]

Way more information is needed to answer this. What kind of valve are you talking about? Most likely the steel pipe is and was a volume chamber to allow the co2 to expand so that you had enough gas flow to properly accelerate the rocket. I assume you need it to also keep the valve operating pressure lower. Otherwise you need an 800 psi high flow sprinkler valve or some type.

Plus these days most fields require rocket launchers to be commercially manufactured. Make sure you will even be able to use your launcher before you invest too heavily in building it. I have a few friends with well built home launchers that are effectively mothballed due to this.

[markdem]

You will lose power by eliminating the air chamber. However, youll probably still have plenty of power to lainch a nerf rocket. Give it a try.

You should also check out spudfiles.com. they are all about this stuff

[Grendel]

I have worked on and built a few (10-15) over the years and before you go down this rabbit hole be sure you will be able to use in the venues intended. Pretty much universally fields will not allow home brew Nerf Rocket launchers. I have even had issues in the past with ones made of aluminum with pressure ratings far exceeding what they could possibly see.

You need a dump chamber with a dump valve that can handle the volume needed to propel the rocket there really is no way around this in a practical sense. These are low pressure high volume tools. You need to just experiment with the dump chamber size based on your source pressure/volume or put a regulator in there for fine tuning. Regardless you really have to have a dump chamber; the small openings on a pierce pin or one of our traditional valves is just too small to provide the volume needed.

[Trbo323]

Depends, are you trying to get this passed by a field to use on the field? Or just launching rockets for funsies?

If using at a field the ball valve is a problem assuming you are triggering it by hand. Since you won't open the valve the same each time that will lead to wild velocity swings and nothing any competent field would ok to use

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