SpudFiles

Hi Gang.

I am interested in building a compact phenumatic bait launcher that I can use for launching while pilchards/sardines on ganged hooks from the beach.

Ideally I would like to get as much distance as possible, with the smallest design (handheld) that is easily carried through the bush to the beach. If it can be quickly disassembled and assembled that might be a bonus for carrying?

I would need help/insight with design, sourcing materials in Australia (which shops? Online stores?) and construction (which glues etc)


Looking forward to your replies. Thank you!

Howdy

There's a few bait cannons on here, none really meeting your specifications though. My personal approach would be a 3/4"QEV with a steel chamber, that way you aren't limited in pressure. Then, you'll need to choose a barrel, assuming you're using something akin to a paternoster rig, I would just launch the sinker on a longer, heavy mono line. The biggest problem though is your baitfish getting the hooks yanked out on launch, that said ganged hooks "should" hold them.

First step would be installed D_Halls excellent tool, GGDT. There's a number of instructional threads on installing and using it

Lastly, charging it with air, if you use steel, then you'll have no problems using a track pump to its maximum pressure.

Hi There.

Thank you for your reply. Sorry to ask, but what is a QEV?

A steel tank? That sounds cool, but won’t it rust with salt water on the beach? What would be the highest pressure capacity vessel you could build from PVC? Wouldn’t all the parts including valve need to be rated same to ensure nothing blows up?

A QEV is a quick exhaust valve, it works on the same principle as a piston valve, which is extensively described here

PVC, most folks consider pressure rated PVC "safe" to 100PSI, but it's generally a poor choice for such a vessel due to the failure mode. A good compromise for you could be black poly fittings, commonly sold at Home Hardware (never seen much of them at Bunnings), but they can be a bit fragile too in my opinion. Rust from the beach won't be a huge concern with steel, for one it is galvanised so already quite resistant, and you'd readily see any rust, which would likely be surface. Best of all, it won't explode if you drop it on a rock, unlike PVC.

You'll see the pressure rating on ball valves and QEVs, usually 110-145psi. I personally have taken small ball valves to over 2000psi without failure, and QEVs of a suitable size for you to 600psi plus. The 160-220psi you'll be using is more than within the capabilities of those parts

So how do I go about getting a steel chamber made? Are there commercially available ones? Would I need all steel design?

Should be able to assemble what you need from the appropriate fittings, if you know where to source them. Barrel nipples come in various lengths so you don't have to worry about cutting threads.

What a clever idea! Although this limits the diameter of air chamber to 1" effectively, it should still work incredibly well for small caliber builds!

You could go 2"

This is interesting. So one could assemble the whole thing with screwin fittings?

How would you add the tyre air valve? It would need to be still attached to a bored hole?

Would aluminium hold up as well under pressure? It would be more corrosion resistant to sea water??

What type of valve would still work here? Would one require some sort of steel quick release sprinkler valve?

Are steel/metal pipes rated for particular pressure?

Would one still be able to hand pump to high pressure? Are the tyre valves themselves limited?

Air chamber made of fittings should allow higher pressure to be used or/and better safety then PVC. I have no idea how to implement a tire air valve in to the system. I would rather replace the hose going from the pump with other pressure hose with some quick release fitting coupling that you implement in the launcher

There are fittings rated to different pressures. It is easy to find those rated to 150 psi or higher for even better safety. Simple ball valve might suffice for your build imho.

I personally would use a QEV, more consistent, you'd nearly be able to calibrate ranges with pressure used.

Rust really won't be a huge issue to be honest, I'm assuming you're like me and wash your reels after each trip, so a quick rinse of the unit isn't much to add

I buy tyre (Schrader).valves with standard 1/8" BSP threads from my local irrigation shop, they're quite readily available. If you can't find them, feel free to PM me, my local has a bucket of then, will happily post one out to you