How to make a Spring gun

There are many ways to make different kinds of guns. I wanted to build one that is easy to make and not too dangerous.

The gun I will make will be made of basic material you can find around your woodworking shop except for piano wire which you can get at a hobby shop.

It will be a spring gun,  I recently made a video on how to make springs using piano wire.....very easy to make.

When it is complete you will be able to shoot marbles or marshmallows.

               

       

Let's get building                                                                                  

                                                                      

The materials                                                                                      

                                          

• 2x4 1 foot long-  To keep things simple I chose a piece of fir because it is inexpensive and very easy to work with.                                                 
• piano wire-  I used piano wire because that's what I had on hand, most hobby shops carry different kinds of wire.                                             
• large washer-  The inside diameter should be 5/8". 
• dowel-   A couple inches of 5/8" dowel, it can be cut to any size.               
• 2 large screws-  3 inch deck screws.                                                                                                                                                                        

To start I used a piece of 2x4 and cut it to 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" and 1 foot long.

The next thing to do is to drill a hole down the center of the block. A Bosch extension is attached to my forstner bit and I was able to drill 10 inches deep.  

                      Making a jig is necessary, it will hold the block secure

                      and make sure it is drilled down the  centre.

        

                      A speed square was used to make sure everything 

                      was square.

                  After the hole is drilled a slot will be cut down the middle.

                  This will be for the slide for the trigger pin.

                  I started the cut first on the table saw then finished up 

                  using the bandsaw. 

                  Cutting what you can on a table saw will always result in 

                  a cleaner and straighter cut.

                Now two slots can be cut, this will be for the trigger pin lock.                             I used maple since a piece of hardwood is best.  A table 

                saw sled can be used to cut the dado, you just have to mark 

                it and slowly chip away until you cut the right size. Don't go  

                over or the insert will not fit snug.

     The maple inserts are glued and clamped. The inserts 

       are larger than what is needed because after it is dried

 it is easy to trim down.                                        

                     I always trim later when I can because it is a good tip and           

just too easy.                                                     

      The slot is first drilled then cut out with using a mini       

hacksaw.                                                              

        To see how they are made check out my  workshop 101 .

                      To make the trigger I will use a piece of metal rod and

                      a small dowel. A pair of bolt cutters can be used to cut

                     the  small metal rod to size.

                     A small piece of dowel around 3" is cut. An easy way                   

                   to cut it is to use a  bandsaw sled. This is very safe and             

 will give you an accurate cut.                                  

                             
                      How to drill the center side of a dowel-

                      A V-block is set on the drill press to drill a hole in
                      the centre of the dowel, this will be for the small 
                      metal rod.

      Using a small belt sander and a cordless drill, the metal

 rod ends can be cleaned up.                                 

                    The metal pin was pounded in the dowel, a friction fit                

                      is all that is needed.  I like to keep things easy.                                        

 

  

                 The spring was made with a drill and wood dowel, below

                 is just a sample but the spring can be made as long and 

                 strong as needed to fit the gun barrel.                                      

                 Check out this video  if you need help to make the springs.                                      

                           A couple of holes are drilled in the washer and two 3" screws 
                   are turned in. Don't forget to pre drill the holes otherwise the wood                    will split.   
             

Conclusion                                                            

Depending on how much tension you want  springs are easy to make and work with. This is a simple gun to make and is works fine. 

 I will be shooting marshmallows in the house and marbles in the workshop.

The steps I have shown you are pretty easy but you do need some basic woodworking tools and  skills. The gun can also be modified in shape, length and power. If you have any questions about the build please let me know. 

See also                                                                                                    

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