Improved Throwline Cannons (Better than APTA)

[sinthome]

Lol, the only thing raining on my parade is the actual rain. I took some video footage today but I need to do the edit and upload part still. I'm not a video guy, but I'm trying.

I also have contacted JJ sporting in the past, that's where I first saw the idea to drill out the neck of a paintball tank. Frank has a lot of experience in taking the potato gun/tshirt cannon thing into a decent side business. I bought one of his trigger buttons on eBay a while back for $7, thinking it would be an improvement over a Harbor Freight blowgun. But it did not have nearly enough flow to trigger a basic sprinkler valve (lots of honking not much launching), which I imagine is why he has to drill them out to get a decent CV and then sells the "better" version for $30. I like his cannons and he pays himself appropriately for the work, they sell for >$300 though and his "not plastic" valves are still not metal (fiber reinforced composite). Apparently he had them custom made 100 at a time for a price of $70 each. Not sure if he'd sell you one for that same price. If anyone builds one out, I'd be curious to compare its performance next to a standard sprinkler valve. The QEVs that I am promoting have three distinct advantages over the sprinkler style:
1) cast alloy 2) larger 1-1/2" opening yields better performance and no adapters for the barrel 3) they have their own trigger exhaust, which dramatically improves performance and trigger response.
I have a photo from JJ of a couple more of their cannons, attached here for the curious.

Update, I called JJ Paintball today to inquire, and not only was Frank Casto happy to share the information with me, he also mentioned that he has built the exact cannon we are all seeking, for the United States Forest Service for measuring Sequoia's. You can find him on Facebook at Frank Casto or JJ Paintball. I have no affiliation, I am just stoked to hopefully have solved this problem permanently. As even he said we dont need polished aluminum barrels, get the can and trigger assembly from him and add your own barrel. I still am not sure how much it will run me but when I get the invoice Ill let y'all know. He also was more than willing to sell the parts, but when you realize that 350 in parts sells for 400? For me it was an easy decision.
Sinthome, I was not intending to rain on your parade and hope that you understand I am just like you. Looking for a easier way, that is also more reliable than pvc and less costly than the 22 blank gun. My time to put the parts together that would be lost with my girls is worth the 100 bucks I would save doing it myself.

 

[Rocketman]

Sinthome has lots of great ideas and valid points. If you have the equipment to drill, ream, and tap, aluminum cylinders are perfect- we add a fill nipple, a gauge, and a safety pop off.

 

[Rocketman]

Lol, the only thing raining on my parade is the actual rain. I took some video footage today but I need to do the edit and upload part still. I'm not a video guy, but I'm trying.

I also have contacted JJ sporting in the past, that's where I first saw the idea to drill out the neck of a paintball tank. Frank has a lot of experience in taking the potato gun/tshirt cannon thing into a decent side business. I bought one of his trigger buttons on eBay a while back for $7, thinking it would be an improvement over a Harbor Freight blowgun. But it did not have nearly enough flow to trigger a basic sprinkler valve (lots of honking not much launching), which I imagine is why he has to drill them out to get a decent CV and then sells the "better" version for $30. I like his cannons and he pays himself appropriately for the work, they sell for >$300 though and his "not plastic" valves are still not metal (fiber reinforced composite). Apparently he had them custom made 100 at a time for a price of $70 each. Not sure if he'd sell you one for that same price. If anyone builds one out, I'd be curious to compare its performance next to a standard sprinkler valve. The QEVs that I am promoting have three distinct advantages over the sprinkler style:
1) cast alloy 2) larger 1-1/2" opening yields better performance and no adapters for the barrel 3) they have their own trigger exhaust, which dramatically improves performance and trigger response.
I have a photo from JJ of a couple more of their cannons, attached here for the curious.

Ahh, I knew you sounded familiar- no wonder you have great ideas! Thanks for the mention! I have newer toys for you to try now! Anyhow, I do sell the common $7.99 trigger trigger buttons like seen on E-Bay and Palmer's ect, and I freely show the mods you can do them. But the $22 performance buttons are a special design we have made, - plus I drill em out some more! The $30 button isn't the usual 1/8" it is a fully vented 1/4", comes with a safety cap, and is amazing. My newest, $70 custom made valve IS aluminum, and designed for air- and it blows sprinkler valves out of the water. The 80 cubic inch, polished, stainless steel, ultralight air chambers are professionally built, hydrotested, and certified for USA, Canada, and Europe. So far, TreeBuzz members have TWO bag launchers with the new valve/trigger combo.

 

[Barc Buster]

Ahh, I knew you sounded familiar- no wonder you have great ideas! Thanks for the mention! I have newer toys for you to try now! Anyhow, I do sell the common $7.99 trigger trigger buttons like seen on E-Bay and Palmer's ect, and I freely show the mods you can do them. But the $22 performance buttons are a special design we have made, - plus I drill em out some more! The $30 button isn't the usual 1/8" it is a fully vented 1/4", comes with a safety cap, and is amazing. My newest, $70 custom made valve IS aluminum, and designed for air- and it blows sprinkler valves out of the water. The 80 cubic inch, polished, stainless steel, ultralight air chambers are professionally built, hydrotested, and certified for USA, Canada, and Europe. So far, TreeBuzz members have TWO bag launchers with the new valve/trigger combo.

That looks pretty cool. How much does that rig in the last pic cost? How many shots per tank? I'm assuming that's a paintball tank?

 

[Rocketman]

As yesterday was my first day here, after being invited several times, I realized that Sinthome started this thread to sell his design. I do not wish to Hijack his thread. I appreciate the interest, in all of our designs, and just like T-shirt launchers, there is, and will continue to be, more than one way to skin a cat, and we will all find a niche at various price points. Perhaps people will want my larger, more elaborate launchers, or perhaps I will assist Sinthome with his design. Millions of trees to climb, and just like millions of miles of roads, we won't all do it in the same kind of vehicle.
Thanks!

 

[TimBr]

@Rocketman; You are a gentleman. I would however, like to hear from @sinthome as to how he feels about you jumping into this thread and offering alternatives.

If I were he, I'd just be doing this to try to get a good unit into people's hands the easiest way possible. If you've got units that are slicked up and ready for prime time, I would not want to stand in your way. If sinthome does object to your contributions to this thread, maybe you could respectfully start your own thread, or provide a link to such a thread, if it already exists.

I hope I'm not stepping on any toes just by expressing this sentiment.

Tim

 

[Rocketman]

@Rocketman; You are a gentleman. I would however, like to hear from @sinthome as to how he feels about you jumping into this thread and offering alternatives.

If I were he, I'd just be doing this to try to get a good unit into people's hands the easiest way possible. If you've got units that are slicked up and ready for prime time, I would not want to stand in your way. If sinthome does object to your contributions to this thread, maybe you could respectfully start your own thread, or provide a link to such a thread, if it already exists.

I hope I'm not stepping on any toes just by expressing this sentiment.

Tim

Absolutely, I was brought into this mid-stream, and mid-thread, and new to forums in general. I tried to reply to any requests of information, before knowing the purpose of this thread. In my earlier comments, I have also shown that I had no intentions of hijacking his thread, and did start my own thread.
I will also be glad to help sinthome with anything he needs.
I do think he has solid design, and he will do well with a push button version of the APTA.

 

[W^3]

That looks pretty cool. How much does that rig in the last pic cost? How many shots per tank? I'm assuming that's a paintball tank?

I have a 120lb compressor at the house, I fill my 20 dollar 5 gal portable harbor freight air tank to about 100psi (best she can do) Then I can shoot a 16oz bag 100' straight up about 6 times all on one tank.
Hope that helps, I am sure you can use co2 and it works as well or better

 

[treebing]

the trick is finding a pump that doesn't wear out. My apta went through two high quality bike pumps before I lost interest. we need to grow bigger trees here anyway to make it a practical tool.

 

[GregManning]

the trick is finding a pump that doesn't wear out. My apta went through two high quality bike pumps before I lost interest. we need to grow bigger trees here anyway to make it a practical tool.

very interesting !
Duration of pump life ?
Reason for pump failure ?

 

[treebing]

blown out seals. I don't think they are made to repetively pump to high pressures. a standard road bike pumps to maybe 110 psi tops and not over and over. the pumps I used were not cheap but there may be better.