How do I Build a Paint Ball Motion Sensor Turret?

Anyone who has enjoyed the sport of paintball has considered how to outwit their paintball opponent. Surprising an opponent when he isn't looking is the ultimate paintball victory, and one way to attain the upper hand is using an automated sniper-style paint gun. For the nerd in every paintball player a motion sensing, turret mounted paintball gun is the perfect solution, and here is a simple plan to build the ultimate paintball weapon.

Things You'll Need

  • Motion sensing microcircuit kit
  • Ball bearing turret, or lazy-susan bearing
  • Small oscillating fan
  • 18 to 20 gauge copper wires
  • Wire strippers
  • Soldering gun
  • Electrical solder
  • Electronic paintball gun
  • Compressed air supply
  • Marker hopper Paintballs.
  • 18-by-3/4 inch AC plywood circle
  • 24-by-24-by 3/4 inch AC plywood
  • 1/2-inch flat head wood screws
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Hobby vice
  • 10-by-1/2 inch CPVC water pipe
  • CPVC escutcheon
  • CPVC cement
  • Duct tape
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Instructions

  1. Motion Activation Circuit

    • 1

      Assemble the motion sensing micro-circuit kit following the manufacturer's instructions, including the circuitry, micro-controller, and proto-board included in the kit.

    • 2

      Test the circuitry and verify that when the laser beam is broken the circuit closes and the servo motor is activated.

    • 3

      Disconnect the servo motor from the circuit. Connect two sets of lead wires to each of the connections which power the servo motor. One set of lead wires will power the electronics in the paintball marker. The other set of lead wires will power the oscillating servo motor attached to the ball bearing turret.

    • 4

      Disassemble the grip frame of the Smart Parts Ion paintball marker. Identify the trigger switch on the paintball marker's internal electronic board. Solder two lead wires to the circuit board connections which activate the paintball markers trigger. Connect the other end of these two leads to one set of the lead wires attached to the proto-board which previously powered the servo motor.

    • 5

      Test the microprocessor circuit again. Verify that when the circuit closes, the trigger and solenoid in the paintball marker are activated. A light clicking sound will be heard when the paintball marker solenoid activates.

    • 6

      Adjust the electronic control board in the paintball marker to a fully automatic firing setting according to paintball marker manufacturer's instructions.

    Random Sweep Targeting Turret

    • 7

      Attach the bottom half of the Lazy Susan turret bearing to a 24-inch square piece of plywood. Attach the top half of the lazy Susan turret bearing to an 18-inch round piece of plywood. When fastening to the bearing, make sure that each piece of plywood is centered exactly on the bearing. When completed, the round circle will be on top, and the corners of the square base plywood will be visible around the base's perimeter.

    • 8

      Disassemble the oscillating fan and remove the oscillating mechanism from the fan. This mechanism will consist of a small gear driven arm which moves back and forth when the fan's motor is turned on. Remove the oscillating mechanism, motor, and attached switches and wiring.

    • 9

      Attach the oscillating motor to one of the exposed corners of the square base plywood. Fasten the oscillating arm of the mechanism to the round piece of plywood by drilling a hole, and inserting the end of the oscillating arm. When plugged in, the motor should remain stationary and the upper round plywood oscillate back and forth.

    • 10

      Identify the two wires connected to the on/off switch for the fan's oscillating motor. Cut one of these wires in half, leaving it connected to the device on both ends. Strip these wires, and solder to the second set of lead wires which are connected to the proto-board. When the circuit which previously powered the servomotor closes it will activate both the firing switch on the paintball marker and the oscillating motor on the turret base.

    • 11

      Mount the paintball marker on the 18-inch round plywood. Attach the small hobby vice and the 1/2-inch CPVC pipe to the 18-inch round piece of plywood. Use these items to grip the paintball marker grip frame, and barrel respectively. The vice will clamp onto the marker grip frame, and the barrel should rest on the CPVC pipe. Verify that the paintball marker is securely attached to the 3/4-inch plywood. When firing, the paintball marker will vibrate significantly, so all fasteners must be able to withstand the firing sequence vibration.