Author Topic: Condor type build (Read 6933 times))

sb327 · « **on:** November 10, 2020, 09:28:44 PM »

Been playing with this build on and off for a bit. Got enough done to be able to show some progress.

It is a .32 caliber (32-20, .312”). Really close to a .308.

I’m not trying to build a powerhouse with this. Just a plinker. The valve is a MYOT regulated from eBay.

I only opened one side of the tube for loading. I want to keep as much structure there as possible. The top will be epoxied upon final assembly plus it has eight 10-32 screws to give it the rigidity of a condor.

The grip frame will have eight screws as well but no epoxy.

I’ve still have to make a trigger, sear and linkage. Carve a pic rail on top. Trigger guard. Angle front of top rail. Various other weight loss cuts.

Dave

Rob M · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2020, 10:20:13 PM »

that looks awesome.!

sb327 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 11, 2020, 09:40:10 PM »

Had time to get the sear and trigger done today. Was able to test fire it. My small spring was too weak. So I had to go to a bigger one. I’ll get that sorted later. I hope to be able to use a little easier to cock spring. I need to lighten the breech block slider some. It’s robbing quite a bit of hammer energy.

725 FPS with a 64.5 gr @ 2150 psi

Still have a lot of whittling left to do but at least I know it’s gonna work.

Dave

Rob M · « **Reply #3 on:** November 11, 2020, 09:47:42 PM »

already pushing some good fpe.. pretty cool , i hope some air force builders chime in , Its a platform i know little about..

sb327 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 11, 2020, 10:05:59 PM »

I don’t know much either except they are extremely simple. I’ve wanted one for a while but they are a touch out of my price range. But not out of my machines capabilities.

The valve was cheap, just took a while on the slow boat. I had to make a top hat for the top hat, so it is pretty restricted right there. Like I mentioned though, no plans to hotrod this.

Talontunes was where I figured out how the bits work together, just looked at a bunch of pics and read the descriptions.

Once I get this one ‘done’ (guns are never done), it will be on to tuning this one and my sidelever.

Dave

dcorvino · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2020, 12:57:47 AM »

Great work
Can’t wait to see the finished rifle.
Thank you for posting and the pictures.
Look forward to reading your future posts
Thanks again

Dave

sb327 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2020, 09:45:42 AM »

Thanks for the reply!

When I was researching this project, I found that you can get basically every part. Including an extrusion for the frame. A lot of ‘knock offs’ out there as well.

The most expensive part is the barrel, if buying new.

I think someone could throw one of these together with minimal tooling and time.

When I started building guns, I had little more than a hacksaw, file, grinder and drill. Now that I’m 50, I appreciate the machine tools I’ve acquired over the years.

Airguns have opened up a new door for me.

Dave

JuryRigger · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2020, 12:25:27 PM »

Cool

! I do agree, if you look at it from a purely mechanical standpoint; the Airforce guns are (arguably, there are always different ways to look at it) the conceptually simplest design there is.
More good work, and thanks for sharing.
Jesse

sb327 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2020, 09:00:01 PM »

I had a little time to mess with this today. After the honey do’s...

Got the top rail machined and turned the breech slider down to shed some weight. (The slider is missing in the pic).

I may take the valve apart and make a peek poppet for it. I’m pretty sure the one that came with it is delrin. And tapered.

Dave

sb327 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2020, 07:19:40 PM »

I trimmed the top rail back a touch and blocked out a grip and foregrip. It’s some walnut I had left from another project. I still have shaping to do on it. The finish is ‘fake for the picture, just wet it with water to see how it’ll look dark.’ I’ll have to make a wood buttplate too.

I kept the stock valve but changed the angle of the seat.

Anyway, just an update.

Dave

Btw, this thing is FUN to shoot.

Rob M · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2020, 08:57:20 PM »

that looks awesome !

JuryRigger · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2020, 10:06:26 PM »

WoW.... I've always wondered how walnut furniture would look with an Airforce-style platform; now that I see it I'm thinking it looks waay too cool.....

Jesse

JuryRigger · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2020, 10:30:22 PM »

A quick question for ya, since I'm considering an Airforce-style setup. How much room do you have to get the bullet/pellet loaded? Is it a pain to have it a open gap, or do you think a loading "tray" like the Texans have would be easier?
Thanks in advance,
Jesse

sb327 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2020, 10:12:20 AM »

I might have done a loading tray for sure, if I had looked at a Texan close enough to realize that was possible. But, short of soldering one in place, you use valuable barrel length.

I am thinking seriously about going back and doing the soldering option. Not only would it make it WAYYY easier to load but it would fill in a substantial dead space.

I kept my distance short because of the latter. 0.70” roughly. A bit cumbersome but I don’t mind.

Incidentally, I have a .457 Texan on the way. I’m gonna be seeing how they did the valve so I can apply some better flow principles to mine. I have a super choked down system right now.

Dave

JuryRigger · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2020, 11:25:39 AM »

Thanks; that was just what I needed to know.
Enjoy the Texan,
Jesse

sb327 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 01, 2021, 08:01:53 PM »

The more I learned about pcp’s, the more I wanted a long range .257. So I ordered a barrel from TJ. It’s 35”. Long like a Texan now, lol.

So for the valve....well I decided to make one from scratch. While I was going over it in my head, I decided to try it ‘balanced’.

As built, it should be working as intended. But, I have no baseline to go off of, so I’m gonna make an unbalanced poppet to see what the difference is.

I was quite pleased with the numbers it’s making as configured. Starting at 3250psi, down to 1800psi, .22liter tank, 13 shots average 130fpe. Shooting cast 70gr. Fastest 958fps, at 2900psi.

Accuracy was not bad but I was mostly getting my scope dialed in while getting some data.

Anyway, that’s my update on this build.

Dave

sb327 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 01, 2021, 08:06:39 PM »

Btw, the poppet is Utem 2200 20% glass filled PEI.

Dave

JuryRigger · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2021, 08:07:58 PM »

Cool!!

I think that you may be the first to try to make a balanced version of the Airforce inline valve... It will be very interesting to see how the unbalanced poppet performs in comparison... Did it seem to take a significantly less amount of hammer weight/power than you expected?
Jesse

sb327 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2021, 08:13:35 PM »

Not as little as I’d hoped but again, I have no baseline. My Texan is sidelever so really no idea.

If someone who has shot a Noble type setup could comment on cocking force, it would be helpful. I see pictures of his with large cocking knob mounted to hammer.

Dave

Rob M · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2021, 09:11:21 PM »

awesome Dave.. trying to wrap my head around the balanced tank valve .. very cool