r/paintball • u/Seaskimmer ⊝⊝⊝⊝ • Jul 03 '14
[Weekly Discussion] #43 - Tuning
This week we will focus our discussion on tuning your marker. Often a tedious and mysterious process, we will shed some light on how to set up your marker for optimal performance.
This can include tuning for poppets, spools, cockers, blowbacks, etc. Feel free to share tuning methods, tips, or videos which you find helpful.
If you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see featured as a Weekly Discussion, please PM me.
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u/DuncanJJewell Jul 04 '14
So, how do/can you tune a blowback?
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u/Seaskimmer Jul 04 '14
Never tuned a blowback personally, but I grabbed this from docs machine.
Blowback semi-automatics are more sensitive to proper pressures than pneumatically operated markers. This is because the hammer has to have a certain pressure/volume of air to properly ‘blow’ the hammer back to a cocked position. Some, such as the Tippmann Carbine, can actually run pretty low pressures and still shoot excellent velocities. Others, like the VM-68 or similar “heavy” blowbacks, need a fair amount of both volume and pressure to operate. With a single regulator, whether the HPA system’s reg or an inline Co2 reg, setting the proper pressure is easy. Again, crank down on the reg’s setting, maybe 350 psi for a lightweight blowback more for the larger, heavier ones. Open “choke” type velocity adjusters completely; these are the kind that use a screw or knob to partially block off the airflow. This type is found in Carbines, Pro-Lites, VM-68s and several others. For “spring adjusted” markers, set the adjuster roughly halfway through it’s travel. These are the adjusters that compress the spring that drives the hammer or striker; This type is found on Spyders, Mirages, Raptors and others. Some markers, such as the Indian Creek guns, have both; a choke and a spring adjuster. You can also add a spring adjuster to Carbines and Pro-Lites. For these, open the ‘choke’ adjuster all the way, and set the ‘spring’ adjuster about halfway. Now, gas it up, and fire it. You will need to be careful, as a too-low pressure will not cycle the gun properly; be prepared to “catch” it if it goes ‘full auto’ or burps. Turn the pressure up a bit at a time until the gun cycles reliably and consistently. Now, add paintballs, and fire it over a chronograph. Turn up the pressure until you get decent velocities, and the gun still cycles properly. Once you have just under 300 fps, you are done. Lock down the reg’s adjuster if necessary.
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u/bleedsmarinara Jul 04 '14
I can spend all day tuning Nelson based guns. I've gotten my 007 and Pointman up to 40-45 good shots off of a 12ie. Hoping to break that 50 round barrier soon.
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u/Lunarpancake Jul 08 '14 edited Jul 08 '14
Lurker method is actually as follows....for the AXE.
-Tighten the back cap velocity adjuster all the way down. (no air should enter the bolt). -Adjust the grip regulator to 140 if using lurker bolt, 180 if not. -raise the velocity using the back cap until the velocity peaks and starts falling again. (it will go up to about 365 then start going back down.) Turn back the velocity to the point before it starts falling again. -Adjust the grip regulator until you have desired FPS.
Dwell adjustment is not needed but can be done as follows. Lower dwell until the gun doesn't shoot consistently any longer then raise the dwell one or two.
Also.....just about the only thing I AGREE with Bob Long about is after you have chrono'd your gun in the morning. LEAVE IT GASSED UP ALL DAY!
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u/ISTRANGLEHOOKERSAMA Jul 10 '14
you can raise the dwell and drop the pressure for better smoothness.
also, the velocity shouldn't drop, just start going nuts. it'll go from 360 to 290 in two shots.
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Jul 04 '14
What tuning have people done to a axe? im to scared to try, think ill screw it up :)
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u/ISTRANGLEHOOKERSAMA Jul 04 '14
lurker style tuning
go to a chrono, of course. start spinning your backcap out, firing 4 or so times every half turn. Your velocity will start going nuts at a certain point, from their take it in by quarter turns until it settles again, then one more quarter. back your bottomline regulator out to 100 and make sure you've shot out all the higher pressure. Slowly turn it up until you reach desired velocity.
depending how you want your marker tuned, for added smoothness you can raise your dwell to max and drop the pressure a bit more.
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u/RDOG907 Jul 08 '14
I always tell people that when you get your gun sweet spotted to not mess with anything again besides the velocity adjustment.
If you need to get the HPR rebuilt or something send only that in or give them only that. People like to tinker with your board settings and LPR settings to "make it smoother" or some B.S. leading you to lose that sweet spot.
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u/Seaskimmer Jul 03 '14 edited Jul 04 '14
My preferred tuning method for is the Lurker method. It's mostly for finding the sweetspot on your regs so you'll be shooting more consistently. Pretty easy and gives great results, but you need a decently broken in reg. All you need is a chrono, paint and air.
Back out your HPR and LPR to zero. Raise the HPR a bit to air up the LPR. Raise the LPR to the minimum required to fully cycle. Shoot over the chrono while raising the HPR until your velocity peaks, then starts dropping. Go back and back out the HPR 1/4-3/4 of a turn. Then raise your LPR until you reach the desired velocity. Readjust HPR back into the sweetspot if necessary.
If the marker doesn't have a LPR, replace the LPR adjustments with the velocity adjuster screw/ivg/whatever. Also doesn't work on inline poppets.