Home Of Foam

This is my entry for HoF in the NIC Homemades Contest. I actually thought of using check valves a long time ago, but the price deterred me from ever experimenting. Now that there's a big ole contest, I decided to finally try it.
First, the pieces you need
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130110.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=151&u=15462971)
1.5" PVC, 1.5" Coupler, 1/2" CPVC, 1/2" Conduit, 1.5" Check Valve, 1.5" to 1/2" T, (2) 1.5" to 1/2" Reducer Bushings(one threaded, one not), 1/2" to 1/4" Threaded Reducer Bushing.
As you can see, I took the first 1.5" Bushing, coupler, and 1/2" to 1/4" bushing and put them together with a 1/4" to Schrader valve
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130115.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=156&u=15462971)
This will need to be glued into the end of the check valve with the arrow pointing to it
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130119.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=160&u=15462971)
Disregard the sloppy primer job. My finger is now purple too.
Next, grind out the ridge in the other bushing so that conduit can slide through it
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130114.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=155&u=15462971)
Put a 3" piece of the conduit in there.
Next, connect the T with the check valve, no glue needed, and put the bushing in the other end. Slide CPVC through until it touches the valve, and mark it. Cut a piece about 1.5" longer than the mark
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130113.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=154&u=15462971)
Next, slide the CPVC into the conduit/bushing assembly, and put an endcap on the inside end of the CPVC
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130120.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=161&u=15462971)
Next, cut the finger off a rubber glove, and slide it over both the conduit and CPVC
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130121.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=162&u=15462971)
Glue the finger to both conduit and CPVC
Slide the bushing into the opposite end of the T as the valve. Add a barrel, and you're done
(http://i46.servimg.com/u/f46/15/46/29/71/p8130123.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=164&u=15462971)


With my improvised arrow barrel shown above, and 1 pump from a standing bike pump, an arrow goes between 93' and 101' consistently. It gets 127' to 135' with slingshot weight streamlines and an even more redneck barrel.
The only problem with using such a large check valve is that it is very difficult to push after very much air is pumped in. Will soon have a version with a smaller valve to see if there is any change.

Dude, you rock. I don't have much experience with homemades, but this seems easy enough. How much was it all together?

1 BILLIONZ INTERNETZ FOR SUMBITTING IT ALSO.

Only things I actually had to buy was the valve and the T. Valve was around $10(eek!) and T was bout $1.50. All other stuff I had from before, and the Schrader valve was about $2 when I did buy it.

YAY INTERNETZ!

Genius way of you using those rubber gloves for something OTHER than surgery to help us.

Other than surgery.....and blowing them up and painting them like turkeys!

That's my sig now! ::) lol

Very nice! Also, I went and got stuff today to make the 3/4" version, and should have it done later today. Also, as far as submitting it, apparently they only want posts on NHQ and NHaven submitted. My reply to that issue may have gotten me kicked out of the contest.