Pneumatic Pen-gun Project

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Is this the smallest co-axial pneumatic yet?

Construction is all metal, with the main chamber being the 6mm I/D brass tube I normally use as a barrel for airsoft launchers. The barrel is 5 inches long, which set the dimensions for the rest of the device, end result is something a little longer than your average pen but not too far off. The barrel is 2.5mm (0.098") caliber, unfortunately the closest lead shot I have is 2mm wide so I need to use tissue wadding.

No chrono results yet, so far I've tested it to 400 psi, at which point it developed a small leak so I repaired it and limited myself to 200 psi for now. Still, high pressure testing is on the cards some time in the future

Also on the agenda is a proper firing mechanism which will basically consist of a pin inside a pen cap that will allow the device to be fired by applying thumb pressure on the cap which will in turn open the schrader and pilot the piston.

Interesting in making something similar? Check out the how-to

How it works:



For more advanced versions, check out:

Pen Gun v2

Pen Gun Deluxe

A couple of videos (on their side, thanks to my technologically inept sibling ) :

Update 29/04/2007: Test at 300 psi with nail darts:

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Update 27/04/2007: I improvised a cap firing mechanism by sticking a few airsoft BBs in the pen cap, it works!

[youtube][/youtube]


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[youtube][/youtube]


I'll let the photos and diagram do the rest of the talking:



cutaway diagram



parts before final assembly



piston and breech closeup



lead shot in vernier for scale



"closed" configuration with cap over muzzle



"open" configuration with cap over schrader

[Hotwired]

I had to watch those clips a couple of times because I couldn't tell if it had fired or not.

Excellent work making such a tiny launcher

[Freefall]

When I first saw the title, I read it as "Pneumatic penguin", and wondered what you were doing with small flightless birds. Then I clicked the link and all made sense.

Nice work, looks good. Have you considered using a presta valve instead of a schrader? You don't need a pin to depress a presta stem.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Yeah, the videos are shite, sorry. I'm trying to make some better ones as we speak.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

When I first saw the title, I read it as "Pneumatic penguin", and wondered what you were doing with small flightless birds. Then I clicked the link and all made sense.

I know! I kept looking at the title from the corner of my eye while typing out the post, convinced I had written "penguin" by mistake hehe

Nice work, looks good. Have you considered using a presta valve instead of a schrader? You don't need a pin to depress a presta stem.

Thanks very logical suggestion... though can a presta handle the sort of pressures I'm likely to subject it to?

[mega_swordman]

You're just full of ideas arn't you. Seriously, I need to state that you are a spudgun revolutionary. :notworthy:

[CpTn_lAw]

Do you have any idea of the muzzle velocity achieved by your launcher at 200 psi with a 2mm lead sinker?

BTW: very clean, very cool gun.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Thanks for the compliments

Do you have any idea of the muzzle velocity achieved by your launcher at 200 psi with a 2mm lead sinker?

I've given up trying to get a chrony reading, the projectile is too small and the chrony isn't seeing it ah well, as far as power goes, I can tell you it will go clean through a folded piece of A4 paper at 200 psi

[super spuder]

what drove you to make a gun that is soo small that it can only shoot through paper? not that i am saying it is stupid, i actually think it is quite cool.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

what drove you to make a gun that is soo small that it can only shoot through paper? not that i am saying it is stupid, i actually think it is quite cool.

Fair enough, I usually aim for high power, but felt like something a little different. Also, this is only 200 psi, I'm sure things will get a little better at 400...

[super spuder]

kool. i would never have the patients to fidle around with somthing that small

[lukemc]

very cool! you should keep it loaded and in your pocket just incase someone wants to borrow a pen

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

kool. i would never have the patients to fidle around with somthing that small

give it a few years *chuckle*

[rna_duelers]

Hahahah,a few year nice call..But this is really cool,look out you don't hit some one or yourself in the eye it would cause some damage.400 PSI!Nice what gas source are you using?

[PVC Arsenal 17]

You've inspired me! Now I have no choice but to make one. Thanks a lot...