30 June 2014

CREATIVE PEOPLE - Now THAT'S what you call a super soaker! Engineer builds 'world's most sophisticated machine gun water pistol' with 40ft firing range






Now THAT'S what you call a super soaker! Engineer builds 'world's most sophisticated machine gun water pistol' with 40ft firing range


  • Gun is valued at £1,250 and has a tank that can hold 10 litres of water
  • London engineer spent 50 hours designing and building it from scratch
  • Alex Bygrave, 27, used 55 separate parts from everyday life to make it
  • Windscreen wiper gives rotary motion, walking pole handle makes pump


With a value of £1,250, a tank that can hold 10 litres of water and a firing range of 40ft, it is said to be the world's most sophisticated machine gun water pistol.

Engineer Alex Bygrave, 27, of Streatham Hill, south London, spent 50 hours designing and building the first-ever Gatling-style water pistol from scratch - using 55 separate parts from everyday life.

A black cab's windscreen wiper provides its rotary motion and a walking pole handle makes the pump, with most of the parts fitted together using self-setting silicone rubber Sugru.


Power: Alex Bygrave (pictured) spent 50 hours designing and building the first-ever Gatling-style water pistol
Power: Alex Bygrave (pictured) spent 50 hours designing and building the first-ever Gatling-style water pistol


Engineer: Mr Bygrave, 27, of Streatham Hill, south London, used 55 separate parts from everyday life
Engineer: Mr Bygrave, 27, of Streatham Hill, south London, used 55 separate parts from everyday life


Long shot: This woman tested the 40ft firing range of the machine gun water pistol at London's Victoria Park
Long shot: This woman tested the 40ft firing range of the machine gun water pistol at London's Victoria Park


Mr Bygrave said: ‘I had to first break down the mechanics of how the Gatling gun worked, and then build it up using a mix of all sorts of components.

‘For example, I used a black cab's windscreen wiper to provide the rotary motion of the pistol and laser cut mechanics to create an intermittent barrel rotation.

    ‘The windscreen wiper motor was ideal as they have a very high gearing and are easy to pick up cheaply second hand.

    ‘Standard plumbing pipes and fittings were used wherever possible, so that as much of the pistol could be made from stuff in your local DIY store.


    Technology: Carbon Dioxide welding canisters are used to pressure two large fire extinguishers so the water can fire out long distances through the six barrels
    Technology: Carbon Dioxide welding canisters are used to pressure two large fire extinguishers so the water can fire out long distances through the six barrels


    Soaking: Most of the water gun's parts were fitted together using self-setting silicone rubber Sugru
    Soaking: Most of the water gun's parts were fitted together using self-setting silicone rubber Sugru


    Bright: Different colours shoot out from the different barrels thanks to the added ingredient of small amounts of food dye
    Bright: Different colours shoot out from the different barrels thanks to the added ingredient of small amounts of food dye


    ‘Combining Sugru with existing parts, I was able to make custom valves, pistons and injectors integral to the Gatling motion and colouring of the jets of water.’

    'I had to first break down the mechanics of how the Gatling gun worked, and then build it up using a mix of all sorts of components'
    Alex Bygrave, engineer
    Carbon Dioxide welding canisters are used to pressure two large fire extinguishers so the water can fire out long distances through the six barrels.

    And different colours shoot out from the different barrels thanks to the added ingredient of small amounts of food dye.

    Sugru production assistant Jon Radclyfe, 23, from Bethnal Green, east London, who also tested the pistol in London's Victoria Park, said: ‘The pistol weighs an absolute tonne but works like a dream.’


    FULL LIST OF PARTS USED FOR THE MACHINE GUN WATER PISTOL

    • Parts: A windscreen wiper provides its rotary motion and a walking pole handle makes the pump
      Parts: A windscreen wiper provides its rotary motion and a walking pole handle makes the pump
      Black cab wiper motor
    • Push button, micro and toggle switches
    • Walking pole handle
    • Sugru
    • Laser cut aluminium and stainless steel
    • Diving harness
    • CO2 fire extinguishers
    • Pressure dial
    • CO2 welding gas canisters
    • CO2 Gas regulators
    • Fizzy drinks bottle top
    • 12v Battery
    • PVC pipe fittings
    • Acrylic tubes and rods
    • Copper pipes
    • Check valves
    • Hose and clamps
    • Brass tubes
    • Various nuts, bolts, wires, tubes, pipe connectors, ball valves and pipe fittings



    Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2673930/Engineer-builds-worlds-sophisticated-machine-gun-water-pistol-40ft-firing-range.html#ixzz363A65Nln 


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