How to Build a Paintball Rocket

Paintball is a fast and furious sport hinged on team dynamics and superior firepower. When other teams are bunkered down, or if you are playing in a tournament with a tank, you might need the services of a paintball rocket launcher. This weapon is particularly effective at splattering a large area with telltale paint. Investing in one need not cost more than the cost of the parts, which are readily available at any hardware store. Be safe, be contentious and never aim a rocket launcher at another person or player. That said, let's get started on that paintball bunker buster.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• ASA CO2 valve
• Brass reducing bushing (3 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch)
• Brass reducing bushing (1/2-inch to 1/8-inch)
• Channel locks, 2 pairs
• Galvanized steel nipple (3 1/4-inch diameter by 2 inches long)
• Galvanized steel nipple (3 1/4-inch diameter by 5 inches long)
• Galvanized steel 90-degree elbow (3 1/4-inch diameter)
• Galvanized steel ball valve (3 1/4-inch diameter)
• PVC pipe (2-inch diameter by 15 inches long)
• PVC pipe (2-inch diameter by 3 inches long)
• PVC T coupling (2-inch diameter)
• PVC cap (2-inch diameter)
• PVC cement
• PVC reducing bushing (2-inch diameter)
• Teflon tape (2 rolls)

1. Apply a band of PVC cement to one of end of the 15-inch PVC pipe and insert into one end of the PVC T coupling at the transverse--that's the top of the T shape.

2. Apply a band of PVC cement on the end of the 3-inch PVC pipe and insert into the other end of the PVC T coupling transverse.

3. Apply a band of PVC cement on the tail piece of the previously inserted 3-inch long PVC pipe and fix the PVC cap to it.

4. Apply cement and fit the PVC reducing bushing into the drop of the T coupling; that's the only available opening in the coupling now and commonly refers to the bottom line of the T.

5. Apply PVC cement to the threads on one end of the 2-inch galvanized steel nipple. Then wrap with a few bands of Teflon tape.

6. Screw the taped end of the nipple into the PVC reducing bushing from Step 4.

7. Apply cement and wrap Teflon tape on the exposed threads of the 2-inch galvanized steel nipple and screw on the galvanized steel elbow.

8. Tighten the elbow until the open end faces in the same direction as the 15-inch barrel. The overall rocket launcher will be C-shaped.

9. Apply cement and wrap Teflon tape on one end of the 5-inch galvanized steel nipple.

10. Insert the cemented and taped end into the elbow and tighten.

11. Apply cement and wrap Teflon tape on the exposed threads of the 5-inch galvanized steel nipple.

12. Screw the galvanized steel ball valve onto the 5-inch nipple. It does not matter which end of the ball valve you screw to the nipple.

13. Apply cement and wrap Teflon tape on the threads of both brass reducing bushings.

14. Screw the 3 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch brass reducing bushing into the open end of the ball valve.

15. Screw the 1/2-inch to 1/8-inch brass reducing bushing into the 3 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch reducer.

16. Finally, screw the ASA CO2 valve into the 1/2-inch to 1/8-inch brass reducing bushing. You do not need to cement or tape this connection.

17. Fix a CO2 canister (12 to 20 oz.) to the CO2 valve.

Tips & Warnings

• PVC cement dries in a matter of minutes, so work the PVC pieces together quickly after application. Use channel locks to tighten the galvanized steel parts together.
• A paintball rocket launcher should be treated with the same respect you would use with a firearm. Working with CO2 cartridges can be hazardous since they can exert tremendous force. Stay focused.

References

• How Spud Guns Work

Resources

• YouTube: How to Make a Paintball Rocket Launcher

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