Barry Warwick and I were discussing the issue of barrels getting really hot in summer matches like Australia Day.
So, I came up with an idea I want to share. I built 2 prototypes for us.
My idea was a plastic thing with an electric fan attached which fits in the bolt recess and blows air down the barrel between relays. It works for both left and right port.
I 3D printed the plastic bit to fit a USB powered fan, It can be connected to one of those batteries you can use to charge your phone, or from a 12V supply (like the jump start battery I use to run my Chargemaster) with an adaptor.
What do you guys think?
Should I make a batch of these?
Rob.
I have often wondered and tried to do similar with a normal size battery fan on the cleaning bench but I think this is and should work well I’d be willing to jump in and try one as I think the price would not be that great as the parts are cheap enough should be a go I think
Wombat
I got a mate who builds CNC mills to 3D print a barrel cooler for me last year .
He made some electronics and 3D printed a battery harnes that would fit a std 18v makita rechargable battery of which I have dozens
I wanted something to cool the barrel on Australia’s day shoot and I reckon it worked well .
It Also works well during a fire forming session at the range.
At the match I did get some strange looks and the old shaking of the head , but It is now part of my shooting kit
Chris,
Interesting you say it worked, as all the reading I have done says they dont do a great deal.
There is Barrel Cool, Chamber Chill and I am sure there are others if you do a google search.
So I am interested on hearing how much these devices cool the barrel.?? Lets say it is warmed up to around 40 deg for 1 hour, how long does it take to cool and what temp are we looking for?
(In my opinion, I am more than certain a warm barrel doesnt effect group size, but it does effect cleaning solvents etc and how you can actually get a barrel clean)
Rob, If these actually do work, I think the design needs to be bright red/ yellow, fluro orange or similar and and see if it could be approved as a chamber flag.
Michael
Thanks Michael, appreciate the feedback.
Rob.
BB Administrator
Hi Michael,
Even if this product does just a little then we are ahead of those that don't have it
But we had a H/V class on the weekend tho, not hot I rattled a few down to get a little heat
in the barrel, I tried Rob's cooler and it worked, yes mate worked and others there at the
comp seen this, in fact two were ordered on the spot.
I not saying this is the bee's knee, but it worked on this day for me and really that's all that
counts.
So folks its up to you people what you think may work for you.
I forgot to tell you, it is so quiet running you can't hear it at all.
Barry
Feedback was good from the Coffs Harbour range today, so I am making an initial batch of 10.
The plastic part will be fluro yellow.
http://www.benchrestbulletin.net/drupal/barrel_cooler
BB Administrator