In this tutorial I'll show you how to make a high powered air gun with PVC and miscellaneous parts that you can find around your house or at your local hardware store. This gun has a low volume high pressure air tank and a short barrel to maximize the projectile's velocity. It is equipped with a modified sprinkler valve to release the pressurized air instantly. The air gun can shoot potatoes or anything that can can fit into it's 1/2' barrel.

Watch The Video:

Notice: Please be safe when following this Instructable. I am not responsible for any injury or damages you cause as a result of building or using this air gun. Use gun safety; do not over-pressurize the air tank and never aim or fire projectiles at anyone or anything other than the desired target.

Step 1: What You Will Need:

Parts/ Materials:

1/2'' PVC Pipe(1'-5" Section)
1''-1/2'' PVC Bushing(SLxSL)
1'' PVC Pipe(1-3/4" Section)
(2x) 1'' PVC Male Adapter(SLxTH)
2"-1" PVC Bushing(SLxSL)
2" PVC Pipe(2-1/4" Section)
2" PVC Coupling Slip
2" PVC Male Adapter(SLxTH)
2" PVC Threaded End Cap
1/4" Threaded Brass Coupling
Threaded Shrader Valve
Sprinkler Valve
Pneumatic Trigger

Tools/ Adhesives:

Saw/ Pipe Cutter
Drill
3/8" Drill Bit
1/2" Drill Bit
Phillips Screwdriver
Adjustable Wrench
PVC Primer
PVC Cement
Epoxy
Painters Masking Tape
Spray Paint(Optional)
Air Compressor

Step 2: Modifying the Sprinkler Valve

Start by unscrewing the solenoid and the manual bleed screw off of the sprinkler valve housing(discard these). Next use a phillips screwdriver to unscrew and then take the top of the valve housing off. Drill a small pilot hole in the center of the valve top with a drill then increase bit sizes to a 1/2" hole. Epoxy the rim of the 1/2" hole and use an adjustable wrench to screw the 1/4" threaded brass coupling into the hole. Mask the three holes on the under side of the valve top. Next epoxy the solenoid and the manual bleed holes and set it aside to let it dry. After the epoxy in the valve top is dry take the masking tape off and screw the valve top on to the sprinkler valve housing. Wrap teflon tape around the brass coupling. Take the pneumatic trigger and screw it on to the brass coupling.

Step 3: Making the Tank

For the tank, start by priming the PVC parts. Take the 2" PVC end cap and glue it to the 2" PVC Male Adapter with PVC cement. Next glue the 2-1/4" section of 2" PVC pipe to the Male Adapter. Glue the 2" PVC coupling slip to the 2" PVC pipe. Then glue the 2"-1" PVC bushing to the coupling slip. Next glue the 1-3/4" section of 1" PVC pipe to the bushing. Finally, glue the 1" PVC Male Adapter and to the 1" PVC pipe and set the tank aside to let it dry. After the tank is dry drill a small pilot hole on the bottom side of the tank then increase bit sizes to a 3/8" hole. Use an adjustable wrench to screw the shrader valve into the 3/8" hole.

Step 4: Making the Barrel

For the barrel, start by priming the PVC parts. Take the 1" PVC male adapter and glue it to the 1"-1/2" PVC bushing with PVC cement. Glue the 1"-5" section of 1/2" PVC pipe to the bushing and set it aside to dry.

Step 5: Assembling/ Finishing the Gun

First take the PVC tank and glue it to the sprinkler valve using PVC cement. Next take the barrel and glue it to the sprinkler valve. Finally, set the gun aside to dry for at least 3 hours before charging it with pressure. Now the air gun is finished. You can leave the gun as is or finish it with spray paint, which gives it a realistic and stealthy effect.

Enjoy!

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Thanks,

KyleTheCreator