MicroMister Piston Launcher Tech Note

[illini]

MM,

I downloaded you piston launcher plans from the NARHAMS website. Looked them over briefly, will study them in detail later. Two quick questions:

1) These plans are for a floating head piston launcher, correct? i.e., it looks like the piston head is not permanently attached to the support shaft.

2) Does anyone use 24mm piston heads, or is a piston less useful for larger diameters?

 

[Micromeister]

Actually NO! My pistons are not floating head, they are Metal head pistons. Floating heads still have a few reliability problems to be resolved.
I didn't include information on 24mm pistons in Tech-tip-008. They are way more difficult to make because the metal head must be built up to ID diameter to fit the slide tube properly Using a heavy wall copper pipe instead of brass tubing. I've used 24mm but the advantages seem to lessen with the larger dia.??

 

[shockwaveriderz]

Originally posted by Micromister
Floating heads still have a few reliability problems to be resolved.
I

micro: please enumerate and elaborate ...

 

[Micromeister]

Shockie
Floating head pistons concept is REALLY KEWL, but as the US international team found out last year.. there are some difficulties in actual practice. Very involved, I don't feel qualified to talk about these "hang-ups" causing the head tube to be carried aloft with the model. Sorry.