Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this “racing bullet” idea for a bit, and I wanted to share how I actually built the thing. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty fun to see it zip around.
Getting Started
First, I needed something to actually be the bullet. I grabbed a spare piece of metal rod I had lying around – figured that would do the trick. I wanted it to be aerodynamic, so I used a file to grind down one end, making it pointy. Think like a, well, a bullet!
- Find a metal rod: Anything sturdy and roughly bullet-shaped will work.
- File one end: Create a point to help it cut through the air.
Powering the Thing
This was the tricky part. I needed something to make it go. I thought about using those little CO2 cartridges, but ended up going with compressed air. I found an old air compressor in my garage that I could use. I Then connected a pressure gauge and a release valve to it.
- Air Compressor: Used to build up the pressure.
- Pressure Gauge: So I don’t blow the whole thing up.
- Release Value:Used to make it fired.
Putting It All Together
Now for the fun part – I took a piece of metal pipe, making sure my “bullet” fit snugly inside. This became the barrel. I created a simple trigger mechanism using a spring and a metal pin. It’s kinda like a really basic version of a real gun, but way, WAY less dangerous. I promise!
- Metal Pipe:This is will hold and launch your bullet.
- Trigger setup: Mine was janky, but it worked!
Test firing time!
I set a old cardboard box and stepped back, holding my breath, and… BANG! The bullet shot out and smashed into it. It was way faster than I expected! I spent the rest of the afternoon tweaking the pressure, trying different “bullet” shapes.
It’s definitely a work in progress. Safety is a big concern, so I’m always super careful when messing with it. But overall, It is so great!