Need help locating a "found object" for project

[DARTH SABER]

Im currently working on another raygun project, and I already have the design laid out.
I had one specific found object in mind for the body of the gun (I was going to use a Super Soaker water capsule) but when I went to Toys R Us, they said that Super Soakers are seasonal and they only sell them during the summer. Can anyone think of substitute objects that can be readily found in stores?

Here are the rough specs I need -

-Needs to be capsule shaped like the green water container on this gun -

- Needs to be pretty sturdy plastic (Not brittle)

- Approximate diameter about 3"

- Length apprx 9"

It's OK if it's not exactly these dimensions, but should be pretty close.


Any ideas?


DS

 

[jackdoud]

Does it have to be plastic and does it have to have a round bottom?

If not then try an aluminum camp fuel bottle from an outdoor sporting goods store:

 

[ItsThatGuy]

You might want to edit your post. Most of the text is white.

The Super Soaker 50 was awesome, too bad they haven't been made in years. They were the best water gun you could get your hands on....dangerous too.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Whoops, sorry about the text color.


Thanks for the input on the fuel bottles. Ill defintiely check those out.

I happened to find this, in regards to the fuel bottles -

That seems about right.


Here's the basic design of the raygun...It's loosely based on the streamlined vitage trains.

You can see the body needs a certain capsule shape.

 

[Lightning]

First thing I thought of was a C02 cartridge. right shape but they are metal and I'm not sure if they come that big or not. if metal will work check a diving supply place.

 

[Clutch]

The white text makes it kind of hard to read.

 

[Idaho Jones]

Our local Target had some for sell a few weeks ago. Why not use a 2 liter pop bottle as a base?

Edit: (I had to highlight to read too I dont use the dark theme)

 

[Paradox]

How about a 1 liter plastic soda/pop bottle?

 

[tgreco]

there's also the little water bottles that attach to your bike frame, which would be a sturdier grade of plastic

 

[Darius Alucard]

Aren't there smaller versions of that super soaker that have the tube closer to the specs you're looking for?

 

[darth_myeek]

I am thinking it would be simple to scratch build. Pipe (pvc or acrylic) and plastruct hemispheres.

-DM

 

[Bizarro Lois]

A shampoo or body wash container. Sometimes you can get ones that are meant to be hung in the shower or stand on the end that opens. I've seen a few of those(and other personal care products) that have the rounded end you'd need.

 

[clarence]

Im currently working on another raygun project, and I already have the design laid out.
I had one specific found object in mind for the body of the gun (I was going to use a Super Soaker water capsule) but when I went to Toys R Us, they said that Super Soakers are seasonal and they only sell them during the summer. Can anyone think of substitute objects that can be readily found in stores?

Here are the rough specs I need -

-Needs to be capsule shaped like the green water container on this gun -

- Needs to be pretty sturdy plastic (Not brittle)

- Approximate diameter about 3"

- Length apprx 9"

It's OK if it's not exactly these dimensions, but should be pretty close.


Any ideas?


DS

I found this on E-Bay.UK seems to tick all the boxes:angel

 

[DARTH SABER]

Hey, thanks for all the suggestions guys.

The plastic on the soda and shampoo bottles might be a bit too flimsy.

I think the sports water bottles might be the way to go.



DS

 

[Wildefarer]

I have had good luck in the past filling the "flimsy" bottles with the Foam iT 5 rigid foam from Smooth-On. Pour in and put the cap back on with a small hole drilled in it. The foam has enough pressure to fill the bottle up and take out any bows or dents. Once it is filled you can saw it or drill it.

This bottle came from the close out bin at Michael's Arts and Crafts BTW and might be close to what you need. I got this a while back though and they may not be available any longer.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Thanks for the tip, Wildefarer.

Unfortunately the design I had in mind for the bottle involves cutting the body open, like this -

Ill definitely keep your idea in mind for future projects though.
DS

 

[slave1pilot]

Visit your local 99cent store.
Just go in & look around
All kinds of junk available there at lttle cost.
When we were doing the "Dollar store Lightsaber Contest" a few years back, I found all kinds of worthless stuff.

 

[knightoftheroc]

Thanks for the tip, Wildefarer.

Unfortunately the design I had in mind for the bottle involves cutting the body open, like this -

Ill definitely keep your idea in mind for future projects though.
DS

Have you any metal-working skills? If so, consider using an EMPTY propane tank, it has the strength, diameter, and more length than you'd need, and you could remove the fitting end the torch attaches to for mounting the barrel, hiding anything you had to do to the fitting.

If you go this route, there's some safety considerations you will want to keep in mind. Eye protection should be worn, it goes without saying, but deserves mention.

attach and open all the way, a torch handle- this will allow any residual pressure inside the tank to bleed off. Remember these vapors will be flammable, so don't smoke.

since your design doesn't need the bottom of the tank, drill a good sized hole in the bottom while your torch handle is still on. Remove the handle, and then rinse out the tank several times with warm water, and allow it to dry.

now you have a safe item you can work with, and sparks from a dremel tool won't end your prop making career.

 

[lonepigeon]

Aluminum or stainless water bottle would be cool.
You could check liquid soap pumps, might be a nice metal one out there.
Sometimes I browse places like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Homegoods for misc stuff to make things out of for cheaper clearance type prices.

 

[DARTH SABER]

Have you any metal-working skills? If so, consider using an EMPTY propane tank, it has the strength, diameter, and more length than you'd need, and you could remove the fitting end the torch attaches to for mounting the barrel, hiding anything you had to do to the fitting.

If you go this route, there's some safety considerations you will want to keep in mind. Eye protection should be worn, it goes without saying, but deserves mention.

attach and open all the way, a torch handle- this will allow any residual pressure inside the tank to bleed off. Remember these vapors will be flammable, so don't smoke.

since your design doesn't need the bottom of the tank, drill a good sized hole in the bottom while your torch handle is still on. Remove the handle, and then rinse out the tank several times with warm water, and allow it to dry.

now you have a safe item you can work with, and sparks from a dremel tool won't end your prop making career.

Yeah, the first raygun I made about a year ago was mainly metal....But it's a pain in the butt.
I thought Id just use plastic and wood for this project.

DS