Featherweight flipper from scratch?

**limpet** · 5th October 2011, 13:11

Hi All,
I`m about to start building a featherweight flipper from scratch, I`ve built a few robots before but pneumatics is completely new for me.
I`ve already been advised to go for a paintball tank and I`ve seen some on ebay, I`m also planning on a 50mm bore 75mm stroke cylinder or thereabouts.
What I really need to know is what other bits are the best to go for (as cheap as possible), ie regulator, valves and stuff? what adaptors will I need for the tank and for refilling too?

I will be at Kidderminster too so hopefully I`ll get some info there as well.
I will want to have it built ready for Memorabilia in November.

Thanks
John
Team 13Black

**PJ-27** · 5th October 2011, 13:18

Where is this darn Wiki!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These are all very valid questions, and given the complexity and danger of Pneumatic systems I can understand why people would seek out guidance - a single source of concise information is desperately required!
Plus I must have read every single Pneumatics related post on the forum and I'm just as clueless as before......

EDIT: Sorry John, not very helpful for you......

**maddox10** · 5th October 2011, 13:47

Let's start from the beginning.

A paintball CO2 tank (do not buy HPA-compressed air tanks) comes in several dimensions. From 3.5oz ( 100 gram) to 20oz (600 gram).
Adaptor and/or refill station. Any online paintball store can sell you those.

Regulator. I believe there will be new Trevor s soon. Cheap (for a regulator) small, light and specific for RW. (use the search function)

Valves. you need at least 3 valves. Main control valve (this does the work for the weaopnactivation) , pressure relieve valve (safety , to vent overpressure) in a LP system it could be you need 2 of'm, and a dump valve (in most cases this is a small ballvalve)

Best bet is to search on Ebay. Because new pneumatics are expensive.

Other solution is to get custom stuff.