BBMG Fieldable Vortex Rifle

Building or modifying BB, Airsoft, and Pellet type of guns. Show off your custom designs, find tips and other discussion. Target practice only!

Ok for my first real vortex?

Heck yeah.
7
70%
Yeah.
3
30%
Junk it.
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 10
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tansit234
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 1:59 am

I've been wandering these forums for some years now and decided I would join the group. Reading every rule was more time consuming than some of my air cannon builds. Anyways down to business. I've built plenty of cannons and a joke of a vortex gun so I decided it was time to make a real vortex gun worthy of my time. I have yet to check the range or accuracy but both seem good, it's no sniper but it definitely beats an AEG. The barrel is 30 inches of break line, the vortex block was machined from aluminum bar with a one inch diameter through hole design that is half an inch thick. I have to give spuddin some credit, his MAC 10 gave me the basic idea and I ran with it. My BB well is the same size as his but where the barrel and chamber meet and how the vortex block connects is where I mixed things up. Too much machining though, mostly lathe work. The rate of fire is incredible to say the least and the entire gun can be broken down to have things replaced if need be. The valve in the grip fits like a dream and the barrel screws in solidly with a screw on fake barrel on top to protect and align it. You all want to see pictures so lets do that.

Edit: Also I have a Co2 regulator coming in, Lowes dropped their price for this area to 60 bucks for the ASA tank reg, the rebranded Kobalt one. A welding buddy of mine from class says they are good for burst firing but don't get close to a Palmers regulator. I don't think I want to burn through too much ammo so burst it is.

Oh and before anyone asks, yes I am going to paint it. Satin black with that fusion paint (I love that stuff, it actually sticks) and the muzzle is going to have a decent percentage of orange on it, enough to say "Not a firearm" but not enough to say "Shoot here".
Attachments
View of the BB well, the bottom screw holds the block, top screw holds the half cover for the vortex. The 1/8" air line goes to a similar fitting on the valve.
View of the BB well, the bottom screw holds the block, top screw holds the half cover for the vortex. The 1/8" air line goes to a similar fitting on the valve.
Grip, trigger valve, and more importantly a safety. The valve has been drilled for more volume as well, but it's only as good as the smallest fitting.
Grip, trigger valve, and more importantly a safety. The valve has been drilled for more volume as well, but it's only as good as the smallest fitting.
Without the plunger feeding was awful. So I added it.
Without the plunger feeding was awful. So I added it.
The secret to a solid connection for both barrel and barrel sleeve. Epoxy! Drilled and tapped on a lathe.
The secret to a solid connection for both barrel and barrel sleeve. Epoxy! Drilled and tapped on a lathe.
Barrel sleeve and BB well connection.
Barrel sleeve and BB well connection.
IMG_0433.jpg (37.49 KiB) Viewed 4044 times
Close up of the muzzle.
Close up of the muzzle.
IMG_0431.jpg (37.54 KiB) Viewed 4044 times
The rifle is massive 50 inches overall.
The rifle is massive 50 inches overall.
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c19o
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:44 am

Very nice, I wouldnt want to be on the receiving end of that!
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ammosmoke
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 3:50 am

Better than my first!
carter
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:03 am

thats awesome. after i get bored of my new marble gun i'll be making something like that. if my wallet isn't empty at least
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Killjoy
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:10 am

Very impressive, can't wait till it gets a paint job.
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tansit234
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:24 am

If anybody wants I have a cutting guide, shopping list, tool operations list. I hope you like fitting things because I'm not pulling my vortex block to measure the actual size versus planned. Only reason I have all that junk written down is because I already have one order and maybe a third. For me gun parts were 41.19, the screws and aluminum block are not included among other things. I also had a blow gun sitting around (I keep stock, orbit valves, blow guns, QD fittings). A ton of stuff was done on my 8x12 lathe and a little bit of milling for the block, but you could file that. Everything else can be done on a chop saw and drill press.

Edit: Plans away Carter, enjoy. Honestly after 4 days, I'm sick of looking at it and working on it, the schematic in MS paint was more exciting. I take that back I love looking at it. Kicker is the chamber only holds a 3/4 inch of BBs from one of the crossman softair 6500 BB jars. I don't intend to spray and pray with the Co2 reg, or burn through bags of ammo.
Last edited by tansit234 on Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:59 am, edited 2 times in total.
carter
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 4:29 am

yea alright. please send it to me. i wouldn't mind it. i wont use you exact design but something similar if thats ok. wicked dude
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:09 am

Very nicely put together, deserves a lick of flat black - I wouldn't bother with the orange though, it will still look like a collection of plumbing fittings.
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daberno123
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Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:04 pm

it will still look like a collection of plumbing fittings.
perhaps heat forming sheet pvc around the stock would help counteract this
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iknowmy3tables
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Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:47 pm

nice ammo capacity looks low but seems like a decent field weapon, jut watch your bb chamber looks like it could get snapped off accidentally
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tansit234
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Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:35 pm

daberno123, I thought about covering the back of the stock with a little something, I'm still thinking about it based on looks versus how easy is it to carry through the woods. It would keep from getting snagged thats for sure but would cut down the hand holds, the front will probably stay open, again I'm thinking about that and the paint color now.

iknowmy3tables the chamber holds less than I would like but more than I would shoot in an average skirmish. I can always put a threaded collar or something if the need arises. It holds onto the rest of the rifle very solidly with no flexing, plus I'm going to end up putting a wood block there if I get worried about it.

Edit: After doing a decent looking (color wise) mockup in MS paint I don't think sheet pvc in the open areas would make it look very good. Personally I think the skeleton stock looks better, more intimidating like a dragonov or something. Also my color scheme is going to be a darkish grey stock and black barrel and chamber, all flat colors of course. I'll paint the threads with one coat and the rest with two. I don't want the paint making things too tight but I don't want them totally white the only threads used on a regular basis are going to be the 2 inch ones. I just need to wait for good weather so the paint doesn't fight me.

Edit 2: The reg is in! turns out it was just the holiday price so I lucked out getting it for 60 plus the extra warranty. If they still offer the free tank with a purchase I'm going to upgrade to the 20oz. even though I already have 3. The tanks I have sitting around have practically nothing left in them and I was surprised how well it worked for burst firing. Only thing I need to do now is build a chrony clock the rpm and fps so I know what pressure to run and post a vid up here. Stay tuned.
LeprechaunIV
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Sat Jan 05, 2008 1:08 pm

I usually favor compact designs over flashy ones. This looks like it could be made a lot smaller if you moved the stock under the chamber.
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