DIY Blaster Initiative Update: First Blaster Project Complete!

After building several prototypes, I an happy to announce the final model of the first DIY Air Blaster. What the hell, let's just call it the DIY-1, shall we?

DIY-1: Test Platform Edition.

The DIY-1 is derived from earlier homemade designs like the PVAT and FOMAS 2.0, using a pin valve design for the air tank. I have simplified construction as much as possible, to the point where the only tool you would need is a hammer (for forcing parts together, whether for a friction fit or for solvent welding) and a drill for the hole in the rear. Even that isn't necessary, as the PVC end cap will be dropped in order to allow the trigger and stock to be easily attached.

Oh goody! Lots of tiny parts!

Using faucet washers, 3/16" diameter rod, and assorted parts, the valve design itself has been changed to allow placement in PVC fittings all the way down to a 1/2" tee, which provides flexibility for future variations of this design. The pressure gauge assembly will be replaced with a simple PVC bushing and a pressure relief valve, to ensure design safety. The dual action bike pump only needs 3 cycles to power darts 100'+ in the current design. However, following a few more modifications, it can be replaced with a homemade pump, a variation of which can be found HERE.

And they assemble so nicely...

I will be updating the Kickstarter page this weekend, and hope to have things set in motion by the end of next week. In the meantime, I'll be looking for the cheapest parts possible - buying individual parts off the shelf at the hardware store comes out to only $20, in spite of the pump and pressure relief valve. I think I can go a lot cheaper, though!

A suitable springer design is also in the works, so don't worry about there only being air blasters. In addition, since this is a DIY project, all instructions and related materials will be available for free online - I hope to merely provide an easy way to get all the necessary parts together for a low price.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rebelle Deals in Walmart Pre-Black Friday Sale!

Title says it all - you can get your pink blasters for cheap! Guardian Crossbows are a measly $11.99. Sweet Revenge kits are $9.99.

Yeah, grab these while the deal lasts!

Hasbro Settles Royalties Lawsuit with Super Soaker Inventor

Heads up to Reddit user mikejonas for this find. Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the original Super Soaker, settled with Hasbro for nearly $73 million over a royalties dispute. According to proceedings, Johnson was due payment for designs in the Nstrike and Dart Tag lines, along with royalties on products visually similar to his water gun inventions.

Former NASA engineer and inventor Lonnie Johnson

Looking through his various patents, you can find that he patented the mechanisms behind the Magstrike and the Wildfire/Rapidfire 20, among many other things. Seems Lonnie invented a lot more things than we usually associate him with making.

Korean Nerf Blasters?

I was browsing the interwebs when I stumbled across these toy dart blasters from Korea. They appear to be marketed as sports equipment, as shown by the Olympic themes on much of the packaging. This makes plenty of sense, considering that sporting purposes are virtually the only reasons civilian Koreans have for using firearms - ownership there is rare, and the gun laws are very strict. Nerfers from Singapore can relate to this situation.

Super serious.

Some more pictures off the website after the jump.

Update on Upcoming Marvel Blasters

We've already seen previews on various blogs about the upcoming Hawkeye Bow and Captain America Stealthfire Shield (which promises Elite blaster ranges).

Because what Nerf fan wouldn't buy awesome stuff like this?

Now, thanks to Graphic Policy, an online comic news site, and Entertainment Earth, we can confirm two more blasters!

First, we have the Iron Man Flip & Fire Gauntlet. Right now, these are the only pictures I can find, but it is listed for $16.99, and is due to be available this month. Reminds you of the classic Nerf Strongarm, doesn't it?

Coming out next spring is The Amazing Spiderman 2 Motorized Spider Force Web Blaster. It's essentially a reshelled Iron Man 3 A.R.C. FX Gauntlet, and will be $19.99.

SO PRETTY