Minigun Barrels Made Simple!
Be absolutely sure to read the
"Mounts" page before deciding fully
on how YOU will make your barrel.
Heavier barrel packs need drastically
different gun structures.
Our Big Minigun Pattern MUST have a STEEL
MAIN AXLE, and a suitable mounting structure for SAFETY, and
GOOD LOOKS. For this reason, please lean toward the "FREE
Minigun" Patterns I offer here for experimentation, or the
Small Minigun Pattern set for your first build.
"HONEYCOMB" BARREL
DESIGN:
This is a "HoneyComb" pack.
This is a simple arrangement of six equal-diameter tubes
bonded around a seventh, equal-diameter tube. This works with
any given tubing size- from the tiniest to the biggest. Bees use
this same geometrical layout for their honecombs, because six
circles of any given size will always fit perfectly
around a seventh. notice, THAT THERE ARE NO "DISCS WITH HOLES"
NEEDED with this type of pack, and indeed, real
Gatling type guns and MANY Sci Fi guns have been made
this way.
The PPR-40MW has a honecomb barrel pack.
It is literally only seven parts. This is the strongest way to
make a barrel pack, but you are limited to having 3 or 6
barrels. Advantages include simple assembly and alignment
without fixturing, and super light weight. This is the type of
barrel a new builder will find easiest to assemble. This
barrel pack type is more finger-friendly, having no gaps
between the tubes*.
NOTES:
Low mass is a consideration when
making a barrel pack- the higher it is, the more drive motor
(weight) it will require, and the damage it may be
able to inflict before stopping motion in a mishap will be likewise
of a higher order..
*The diameter of your pack is also
important: smaller is easier to drive, and is safer. You do
not need to drive a barrel at high RPM to have an acceptable
illusion. All you really need is fast enough to fool the eye
or camera. Sound effects will complete the "sell". A
barrel pack is a potential rotation hazard- be sure to read my
warnings page, especially noting that the drive system HAS to
slip if the barrels meet ANY obstruction.
Honeycomb Pack Construction:
This works with any size tubing. You may
use metal or plastic, the assembly follows the same
sequence:
This is a tiny one I made for a scale
helicopter. The only variation from what you see here is that
for an airsoft gun, you want the CENTER tube to be longer by a
few inches, so a drive can turn it using the stub.
Alignment is almost automatic with this
method, as the tubes naturally nest together. Glue is applied
along the sides where the tubes touch each other. The finished
pack is VERY solid.
Of course, you will make yours bigger
than this...
Here's an assembled one. I added a disc
to the end of this particular one. Just make sure the longest
tube ends up in the center, it's pretty hard to screw this one
up. Build time: 45
minutes.
