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Step 2Prepping components

Prepping components
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  • spvalve_painted.JPG
  • spvalve_disass.JPG
Disassemble your valve. I am not going to be modding it as it is really unnecessary for this project. Taking it apart simply makes it easier to paint.

While the paint is drying (if you choose to paint), now is a good time to cut your tubes if you have not done so already. PVC saws (looks like a metal string) are cheap and effective. I personally use a band saw to zip though everything. Guitar strings also work, just be very careful - it will eventually snap and the filament will be extremely hot (I've had burns from this). Guitar strings also have a tendancy to wrap themselves around when they snap.

Now is also a good time to sand off any burrs and lightly sand the mating edges of the fittings and tubes.
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4 comments
Jul 8, 2011. 4:59 PMcrashbash says:
The model I bought looks EXACTLY like this exept for the flush trigger, it doesnt have one, its made by the same manufacturer and its the same model, did they remove it from the design?
Sep 13, 2007. 10:16 PMThe Lightning Stalker says:
There's this "plastic fusion" paint that might stick really well depending on what kind of plastic the valve is made of. There's something that works even better than a band saw or friction saw/guitar strings. They make special PVC "scissors" that have extra leverage and a ratcheting mechanism. They're the best thing to use on smaller diameter pipe. They cut clean and leave no shavings.
Dec 3, 2009. 2:48 AMnutsandbolts_64 says:
     I've seen those "PVC scissors" before, maybe on TV. They're incredibly, but not as much, huge. Should be easy to spot when you need it. Unless you were in a warehouse it would be lost for sure.
Dec 19, 2009. 1:51 PMThe Lightning Stalker says:
I've never seen one that big.  They're usually about the size of tin snips and can cut pipe up to like 1.25".

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Author:trebuchet03
I'm an Engineer in San Francisco. Mass producer. Former Intern. Rapid Prototyper. Sometimes, I post Instructables. My Favorite number: 42 By profession - I am an energy engineer. I count electrons p...
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