AKBiocca Engineering

If your pneumatic launcher makes a ‘honking’ type noise when you trigger it, this is an indication of low trigger airflow. It is also a sure sign of an underperforming launcher.

The Harbor Freight air dusters we use for triggers sometimes exhibit this problem when the valve is overtightened into the frame. Loosen the nut around the pin that the trigger pushes on about 1 turn. There is an O ring seal there, so this should not cause it to leak. The honking should cease and the performance increase.

In the past this happened very rarely (only once that we are aware of), but with the new batches of parts it has happened at least twice recently.

The other problem we have seen that causes inadequate trigger flow is the installation of the outlet jet on the air duster. This outlet jet should not be installed to allow the best trigger flow.

The first launcher sporting the new Barrel Material. This one is headed for Sweden!

Eric, WD6CMU has been doing a nice job making the Zip Reels. Here is a recent picture of the reel as we ship them. It is mounted on a barrel adapter so it friction fits on the end of the barrel. It comes pre-loaded with 150 yards of Spectra line. Ready to Launch. Available on the Parts and Accessories page (link in the righthand column).

The Blue Fusion paint on the barrels is working out well, and it does not interact with the packing materials. This weekend we’re going to make up a batch of kits and get orders rolling again, now that we have the barrel shortage solved.

Thanks for your patience,

We have switched over to the CSV17 launcher for just about all our field use. It is smaller and lighter and it reaches to 160 feet or more. This seems to be more than enough for most purposes. The 3″ joints are a bit easier to cement than the 4″ joints, and the CSV17 fits into a much smaller container for storage and transportation. It is also lighter and uses less energy per launch, and allows the option of using 12 gram CO2 cylinders and a bicycle tire adapter for launch power.