| If you're new to the Paintball field
business you've probably already noticed that there's a lot to learn about
running a field. Here are some tips from the Paintball
Field Owner's Guide Guide.
Choosing and Buying Rental Your
Equipment
The equipment you purchase for your field
will have a lot to do with how successful your field is. You'll want good
quality paintguns that don't require a ridiculous amount of maintenance.
Good comfortable mask/goggles will make your customers happy as well.
Paintguns: Most fields today use
semi-autos as field rentals. There are a number of reasons for this. Semis
naturally shoot more paint and that's good for paint sales. Semi-autos are
also a lot more fun to play with for most players, especially if your mixing
in walk-ons with players with their own gear. You're really not doing the
customer any good if you give him/her a pump gun to play against Automags
and Autocockers. If your customers get shot up all day, chances are they
won't be back.....ever.
Which paintgun to purchase: There
are many excellent paintguns available that will make good rentals. Look
for a rental gun that's been available for some time so you know that replacement
parts will be available when you need them. Some of the paintguns I like
are any Tippmann guns (Prolite, 68 Carbine, SL 68), the Spyder (make sure
you get the aluminum frame version), F-4 Illustrator, PMI Titan, Indian Creek
guns (Puma, Bobcat, Alley Cat, etc.), and Trracer or Maverick if you go with
pumps. If you want to spend a bit more on your field rental gun, Airgun Designs'
basic Automag is an excellent paintgun.
Goggles: Of course your first
concern with goggles systems is safety. You don't want anyone getting hurt
at your field. An important feature you want in your field rental goggle
is that it is relatively fog-free. New players have a tendency to remove
their goggles when they fog and that's the last thing you need. You can nip
that problem in the bud by getting a good quality thermal goggle or by adding
a goggle insert to your single lens goggles. At this time the only goggles
I would recommend are JT Paintball, Scott, Vents, and some Brass Eagle/Leader
goggles. Please call the PCRI office at (703) 491-6199 if you have any goggle
concerns or questions. When you're looking at the various goggle systems
make sure you go with one that has full face and ear protection. The more
comfortable your players are, the more likely they'll be back. Getting shot
in the ear will turn players off or even worse, cause a serious injury.
Camo rentals: Many fields rent
camo jump-suits for rental players. This is a nice way to make a few extra
dollars while providing a service to your customers. Talk to your paintball
equipment dealer for prices and the different styles that are available.
C02 tanks: This might seem like
a simple decision to make but I would suggest you put some real thought in
on this one. Many fields use seven-ounce tanks to save a few bucks on start-up
costs. I would advise you to go with twenty-ounce tanks for a few reasons.
Twenty-ounce tank fills will last all day for most new players, they will
freeze up less often, and they only cost around $5 per tank more than a
seven-ounce tank.
Referees equipment: To run your
games properly and safely you'll need to purchase some basic operating tools
and equipment. You'll need several whistles, referee goggles (available in
bright colors from all major distributors), referee's vests, and bright colored
clothing. I would recommend buying actual referees pants and shirts. They
are available from Smart Parts, Renegade, National Paintball Supply and others.
The least you should do is invest in referee's goggles. These are brightly
colored goggles/masks that will help prevent your refs from getting shot
unnecessarily.
Armbands: If you're just starting
out you may not want to spend the extra money for "real" armbands. Brightly
colored surveyors tape works well but can be a hassle to clean up after.
You can get rolls of surveyors tape for around $1 per roll, in colors like
neon green, yellow, orange, pink etc.
Safety equipment: The most important
safety equipment you will need is a telephone. If you don't get phone service
at your field, you must purchase a cellular phone. This is the only way to
call for help should someone get hurt or sick at your playing fields. You'll
need a good first air kit at your field as well. What's in a good first air
kit you ask? Band Aids™, ace bandage, peroxide or other abrasion cleanser,
bee sting and snake bite treatment, tweezers, scissors, and aspirin or other
pain reliever.
Chronograph: You must use a chronograph
to check all players' paintgun velocities before playing any games. You also
need to check each gun several times during the day to ensure they are shooting
at safe velocities. Paintgun velocities will change during the day as the
outside temperature changes. Chronographs are available in several types.
The most effective chronographs are the radar types. They work in all lighting
conditions as opposed to chronographs that do not give accurate readings
unless the lighting is perfect.
Tools: To keep your equipment
operational you will need a pretty nicely filled tool box. You will definitely
need several of each of the tools that come with your rental guns. In addition
you'll need tools such as picks for removing o-rings, screw drivers, open-end
or box wrenches, metric and standard allen wrenches, etc.
C02 filling tank and fill station:
It is best and most cost effective to fill from a 50- pound bulk tanks. You
get a better yield, it's safer, and quicker. Make sure you buy a good quality
fill station--any good paintball equipment wholesaler will carry this item.
All bulk cylinders must be secured to a stud on a permanent wall. The easiest
way to do this is using chains. Transporting your bulk tanks takes some care
as well. Make sure the valve cap is in place and the tanks are strapped down
and cannot move or roll.
We'll have more here next month. Thanks
for reading. |
Distributors
National
Paintball Supply East
609-464-1068
National
Paintball Supply South
864-458-7221
PMI Pursuit
Marketing Inc. 847-233-9900
Smart
Parts Inc.
724-539-2660
Field Rental Guns
Tippmann
Pneumatics.
219-749-6022
Kingmann
USA
626-575-8798
ACI
909-350-9176
Order the
Paintball Field Owner's Survival Guide
From the
Editor of PCRI
This guide comes
in a three-ring binder and will teach you step by step, everything you need
to know to open and run a paintball game field. The Field Owner's Survival
Guide is also a valuable tool for existing field owners. Chapters on insurance,
permits, designing fields, running tournaments, etc. are included in this
outstanding book.
PRICE:
$89.95
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