| PCRI Tech
Tips
Welcome to "Tips from the Workbench." This month I'll be discussing the
tools you need to adequately work on your paintgun and equipment.
Last month we cover oil and o-rings pretty well. If you missed that article
please fax the PCRI office and we'll fax it to you.
The basics.....
Oil: You can't do any work on your paintgun without oil. Moving parts
need lubrication to work properly. The only oil I can recommend is oil that
is designed specifically for paintguns (See last month's article). Any other
oil type can damage your gun's o-rings and seals.
Fleece-end squeegee: You clean your barrel properly you'll need to
submerge it in water and squeegee if out. A fleece-end squeegee is necessary
for drying the barrel interior.
Q-Tips are great for cleaning the dirt and grime from those hard to
reach places in your paintgun. You may also want to keep a soft paintbrush
on hand for the same reason.
Sand paper/emery cloth: Fine sand paper and/or emery cloth will help
you remove burs or scratches on the various metal parts of your paintgun.
Spray bottle: I like to keep a spray bottle on hand that is filled
with a 50/50 mix of alcohol and water. This in conjunction with the Q-Tips
and paintbrush helps me to clean the inside of my grip frame and other hard
to get to areas.
Tools......
The tools you'll need depend somewhat on the type of equipment you use. For
instance you won't need metric allen wrenches to work on your Automag.
Allen wrenches: Most paintguns come with all of the allen wrenches
you need to work on your gun. However, these are usually loose and tend to
get lost. I like to keep a set of folding allen wrenches on hand as a back
up.
Box or open end wrenches: If you have an Automag, Autococker, Prolite,
or one of many other guns you'll need open end or box wrenches to work on
your air fittings. You will also need to keep a roll of teflon tape (plumber's
tape) in your tool box.
Adjus table wrench: An adjustable wrench is really not the right tool
for any job because it can damage the bolt head....but in a pinch when you
can't find the right size wrench, an adjustable will bail you out.
Punch: Keep a straight punch in your box is you have a gun that may
be held together with pins. The Alley Cat, Spyder, and other guns require
a punch for complete disassembly.
Rubber mallet: Never use a hammer on your paintgun. A rubber mallet
will do the same job without the risk of damage to your equipment.
Pick: To remove o-rings from your gun parts you'll need a bent tip
and a straight end pick. Dental picks work great here.
For the Airsmith....
For the serious tinkerer hand tools may not be enough. Most airsmiths will
have a drill press, belt sander, and other more sophisticated equipment to
aid in their quest for perfection. Don't mess with this type of equipment
unless you really know what you're doing.
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