How to Make an Airgun

This beginner airgun uses PVC materials and requires a standard bike pump or compressor to fill its air chamber. Adjust the bike valve to pressurize the chamber, remove the air pump, load a projectile, open the valve and watch it shoot.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Twp PVC end caps
• Drill
• Bike tire air valve
• PVC cement
• Saw
• 1-inch PVC pipe
• PVC elbow joint (90 degree)
• Two adapters (1 inch to 3/4 inch)
• Ball valve
• Barrel tube less than one inch
• 1-inch screw

1. Drill a hole in the bottom of one PVC end cap large enough for the bike tire air valve with a bit of excess rubber around it to fit through. Fit the bike valve through the hole and glue securely in place with PVC cement.
2. Saw a 1-inch PVC pipe into three sections--a 2-inch, a 5-inch and a 7-inch piece.
3. Glue the end cap with the air valve to the 7-inch pipe with PVC cement. Add the 90 degree PVC elbow joint to the other end of the 7-inch pipe. Put the 2-inch pipe at the other end of the elbow.
4. Adhere the female, 1-inch, non-threaded side of the adapter to the other end of the 2-inch pipe to complete the airgun's pressure chamber. Screw the male, 3/4-inch, threaded side of the adapter into one end of a ball valve.
5. Close the valve, fill the chamber with air and check for leaks. Fix leaks with PVC cement. Screw the male end other adapter into the other side of the ball valve. Attach the 5-inch pipe to the female end of the adapter with PVC glue.
6. Drill a hole in the center of the other end cap. Make it less than 1 inch to allow the barrel tube to fit securely. Place this end cap on the end of the 5-inch pipe and make a mark where the edge of the end cap hits the pipe.
7. Remove the end cap. Place a 1-inch screw into the 5-inch pipe where the mark was made. The screw prevents projectiles from exiting anywhere but the barrel tube.
8. Insert the barrel tube into the end cap. Place the end cap onto the 5-inch pipe and push the barrel tube in until it hits the screw.