Pneumatic line launcher

[scheffa]

Hey all,
Got a little bored today and decided to try and come up with a better of installing life lines of tall trees, 130' plus.

Searched around the net for a while looking at ideas and decided to give one a go.

Uses a 50mm diameter 600mm long air chamber filled through a bicycle valve, runs a ball valve for a trigger into a 40mm diameter 450mm long barrel.

Standard weaver 14 oz throwbag fits in there quite snugly and seems to fire approx 70' at 70psi.
The barrel has a big long burr the length of it from manufacturing which I think is causing heaps of drag reducing the shot.

Have started to make a couple of smaller in diameter and slightly lighter projectile I'm hoping will help get the distance I'm after

 

[ATH]

I think you can make a smaller tank. I made mine using a modified sprinkler valve so it releases the air a little more suddenly than a ball valve, but I don't know it is enough to make a difference... TreeStuff made their's with a ball valve and it gets good reviews.

I used 2.5" for the barrel. A tennis ball is a nice snug fit. Filled with BBs a tennis ball weighs 16 oz. I can shoot it 90' at 60-70 psi...

It was fun to make/is a fun toy, but I use the Big Shot to set my lines...but don't have 130' tall trees either...

 

[Hoowasat]

TreeStuff made their's with a ball valve and it gets good reviews.

TreeStuff's APTA no longer uses a ball valve. Their butterfly valve is more responsive. I doubt I'll get one. Used to ride a bicycle a lot and pumping air gets tiresome real quick.

 

[ATH]

Cool...didn't know they upgraded that. There are other options for air. One would be a cordless tire pump. A second would be a paintball CO2 bottle with appropriate adapter.

 

[treebilly]

Honestly with a decent pump it takes about 15-20 seconds to hit 100 psi in the APTA. Not a big deal. A couple of hose clamps and a laser pointer, it's one shot and one kill. Great tool.

 

[scheffa]

Texted mine out today at work, with a 12oz throwbag and 120psi I'm only just making 70'. Thinking the burr that runs down the inside of the barrel is causing way to much friction. Just got home from an after hours call out so will try and fix it tomorrow

 

[BC WetCoast]

Another option for air is if you have a truck with air brakes, you can connect an air hose to the air brake reservoir.

 

[scheffa]

Changer the barrel over this afternoon to schedule 40 pvc, now shooting a 12oz bag over 250'