Try out different barrels to get a feel for what suits you best.
In addition to the size of the CO2 tank, storage capacity of the hopper and trigger system on your paintball gun, the characteristics of your paintball gun's barrel can also make a significant impact on your gun's overall performance. Nearly all of today's paintball guns use barrels that can be screwed on or off. Upgrading your barrel can improve your gun's accuracy and require less maintenance.
Instructions
1. Choose the material you would like your barrel to be made of. Paintball barrels are made of copper, aluminum or stainless steel. Brass barrels create the least amount of friction, stainless steel barrels require little to no maintenance and aluminum barrels are relatively cheap.
2. Consider your priorities regarding your paintball gun and the sport itself. If you play often and don't want to deal with frequent maintenance and cleaning issues, you would want to choose a 10- or 12-inch barrel over a 14- or 16-inch barrel. However, longer barrels will allow you greater range.
3. Try out a friend's paintball gun barrel to see how you like it. There is no 100 percent supreme paintball barrel, so much of your decision will come down to your style of play and personal aesthetic. Experiment with different barrels to find one that is right for you before spending any money.
Tags: your paintball, different barrels, paintball barrel, stainless steel, your barrel
Glock and SIG Sauer manufacturer some of the most popular firearms used among sportsmen and law enforcement officers. The Austrian company Glock exclusively produces pistols whereas the Swiss based SIG Sauer produces pistols and long guns.
Single-Action
With a SIG Sauer, the hammer is external and can be cocked so you can shoot single-action. Single-action means that pulling the trigger causes the "single" action of the hammer's falling. When the SIG fires, the slide naturally cocks the hammer between shots, making every shot single-action.
Double-Action
Double-action means that the trigger pull causes two actions: cocking and releasing the hammer. Glock pistols feature an internal hammer and the actions of the weapon being cocked and fired occur with every trigger pull. SIG Sauer pistols can be fired double-action on the first shot with the subsequent shots being single-action. The amount of trigger pull necessary to shoot double-action is greater than for single-action.
Safeties
Many models of SIG Sauer pistols have manual safeties that must be deactivated before the weapon will fire. Glock pistols feature three internal safeties that automatically deactivate the weapon unless the trigger is being pulled.
Paint is considered a corrosive material and is listed with the U.S. Postal Service as an ORM-D. This means that the Postal Service considers paint a hazardous material that may be mailed only for individual sale or use. Paint may be shipped as domestic mail via air transportation, Parcel Post or Standard Mail. The total weight allowance for shipping a box of paint is 25 pounds. Each individual container of paint inside the box must be under 16 ounces and tightly sealed. The final box must be labeled properly with the correct forms filled out if shipping by air.
Instructions
1. Check that the paint you wish to mail is tightly sealed. Wrap it in a layer of bubble wrap. This is considered your primary packaging.
2. Place the wrapped paint inside of a secondary package container that is compatible with the primary paint packaging, such as a plastic or metal box with a secure lid or tight clips.
3. Fill the outer layer cardboard box with packing or cornstarch peanuts and submerge the secondary packaging into the foam peanuts. If you do not have foam peanuts, plastic foam chunks or large bubble wrap will help to cushion the paint packaging so that it is not touching the sides of the outer box and will not be hurt if abruptly jarred.
4. Tightly seal the box with packaging tape. The box must not exceed 25 pounds in total weight.
5. Write the shipper's name on the bottom middle of the top side of the box. Directly below the shipper's name, write "Consumer Commodity ORM-D" for ground shipping or "Consumer Commodity ORM-D - Air" for air shipping. Complete the address beneath this line. Make sure to write the return address in the upper left corner of the box.
6. Write on the side of the box in large print "Surface Only" or "Surface Mail Only" for surface deliveries.
7. Fill out the shipper's declaration for dangerous goods and affix it in triplicate on the side of the box.
Whether you have been the victim of vandalism, or have had the unfortunate luck of accidentally paintballing your own home, you will need to restore your aluminum siding. Fortunately, this task is not impossible. With a little elbow grease you can remove all traces of your paintball nightmare!
Instructions
1. Assess your damages and how you will get to the area to clean it. If the affected area is situated on a lower area of the siding you will be able to remove it easier. If it is up high, it will be a little trickier if you have to use a ladder.
2. Grab a bucket and a scrub brush. You can also use one of those kitchen scrubbies that is safe for all surfaces.
3. Pour a capful of the Simply Green concentrate into your bucket and fill the bucket with water, forming a sudsy cleaning solution.
4. Spray the affected area down well with your garden hose. You want to completely saturate the area and free up any surrounding dirt or loose matter.
5. Dip the scrub brush into your cleaning solution and apply to the painted area of the siding. This will take some time and some powerful scrubbing, but you can remove it!
6. Allow the scrubbed area to set for several minutes, and then give it a spray rinse with your hose. You may notice that it has been completely removed, or at least lightened. If the paint lightens, repeat the process until the paintball paint is completely gone.
Tags: affected area, area siding, cleaning solution, into your, scrub brush
There are so many different ways to make a snowman that you could make a different kind of snowman each year of your life and never repeat the same one. One fun possibility is a soccer ball snowman.
Instructions
1. Lay some newspaper over your work area. This will protect the area from being scratched or covered in paint.
2. Paint all three of your soccer balls white. Do this with a regular painter's brush instead of a craft paintbrush. Craft paintbrushes are small and will take a long time to cover a soccer ball.
3. Allow your soccer balls to dry, then give them a second coat of white paint.
4. Use a metal cutter to cut a round top off two of your skewers. These skewers are perfect for holding your soccer balls together.
5. Stick half of one skewer into the top middle of your size 5 soccer ball. Slide the size 4 soccer ball over the remaining piece of the skewer in the middle. You now have half of your snowman.
6. Stick the second skewer into the top of the size 4 soccer ball. Slide the size 3 soccer ball into the remaining half of the skewer. Your snowman is now complete and ready for decorating.
7. Use black paint to give the snowman some eyes, a mouth, and three buttons down the middle soccer ball.
8. Stick one skewer in each of the two sides of the middle soccer ball. Leave the round edge sticking out. These are the arms. Place a pair of children's gloves over the round edge of the skewer.
9. Drape a scarf around the spot where the top and middle soccer balls meet. This is the snowman's neck.
10. Place a hat on the top of the snowman's head. Use some straight pins to hold it in place if it doesn't exactly fit.
11. Use a razor to cut a hole in between the snowman's eyes and mouth. Push the big end of the carrot in the hole and allow the small end to stick out. This is the snowman's nose.
The reception for new airsoft guns, which fire plastic rounds using compressed air or pistons, has varied from country to country. Some countries consider airsoft guns safe toys, while others consider the guns to be dangerous weapons. They may be right. According to a study done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, in 2005 there were more than 19,000 air-gun-related injuries. But whether or not a location thinks that they are safe, the import of these guns is restricted in many areas of the world.
National Laws
Some countries do not allow for the shipping and importation of airsoft guns. In Canada and Australia, it is legal to ship airsoft guns with a firearms license. In New Zealand and Germany, it is legal to ship in semiautomatic weapons, but not fully automatic weapons, even if they have been modified to be semiautomatic. Airsoft is completely illegal in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Into America
The United States does allow for the shipping and import of airsoft guns. However, all airsoft guns imported are required to abide by certain regulations. The guns must have a 6mm orange stripe around the barrel in order to show that they are replicas and not real guns. Also, the manufacturer of the airsoft gun is not allowed to place any trademark on the guns that mimics a real gun, except where it is permitted by the maker of the real firearm. Any airsoft gun that does not fulfill these requirements will be seized at customs.
Other Laws
Although it may be legal to own airsoft guns in your country, it may not be legal in your city. If it is illegal to possess an airsoft gun in your local area, then it will not be shipped there. Some U.S. cities where it is illegal to ship an airsoft gun are: New York City and all five burroughs; Chicago; Philadelphia; Johnson City, Tennessee; and Washington, D.C.
The states that restrict the shipping of airsoft guns are: Illionois (air guns that fire over 700 feet per second are not allowed); Michigan (cannot be imported unless they are tested by local ballistics experts); and New Jersey (cannot be imported without an approved firearms permit).
Inexpensive, spring-powered BB rifles can only achieve about 5 foot-pounds of energy.
Air rifles are available in a number of calibers and quality can vary widely between models. High-quality air rifles intended for small-to-medium game hunting can be both highly powerful and accurate. Muzzle energy is one measure of a gun's power. It is a combination of velocity and projectile mass, and only high-quality air rifles can achieve the high velocities with heavy pellet projectiles necessary to reach 30 foot-pounds of muzzle energy.
Career III 300
The Career III 300 is an example of a powerful, pre-charged air rifle that can be used for hunting and precision target shooting. This rifle is available in the three major pellet calibers: .177, .20 and .22. Heavy pellets carry the most energy, and the Career can maintain high velocities, allowing for excellent range of fire. All three calibers can carry more than 30 foot-pounds of energy, with a 13.5-grain, .20 caliber pellet delivering about 54 foot-pounds at the muzzle.
Evanix Hunting Master AR6
The AR6 is a .22 caliber, high-power repeating air rifle designed for hunting. Muzzle energy depends a great deal on pellet mass. The AR6 reaches 48 foot-pounds, even with a 14-grain pellet. With 28- and 32-grain pellets, the muzzle energy exceeds 60 foot-pounds.
Quackenbush air guns
Big game air rifles, such as the Quackenbush line, are rare. Typically a powerful firearm is used for hunting large animals. Quackenbush manufactures .308 and .495 caliber air rifles. These weapons can deliver more than 200 foot-pounds of muzzle velocity.
Walther 1250 Dominator
This air rifle is another pre-charged repeater. It is available in .177, .22 and .25 calibers, fires at a velocity of 1250 feet per second and consistently delivers 30 foot-pounds of energy with every shot.
Tags: foot-pounds energy, foot-pounds muzzle, about foot-pounds, energy Career, energy with, foot-pounds energy with, high velocities
Most paintballer players want guns that shoot as rapidly and accurately as possible, and paintball "marker" technology has always tried to answer that wish. Ramping, which increases rapid fire capability, was one such development. While it allows paintballers to fire paintballs at an extremely rapid rate, it has also caused some competitive inbalances that have led some tournaments to ban ramping.
Definition
The "ramping" name is derived from the fact that the gun's rate of fire is "ramped-up" as the player pulls the trigger. When the shooter pulls the trigger of a ramping-enabled standard semi-automatic at a certain rate, the electronic mechanism inside the gun switches the feed from semi-automatic to fully-automatic. The switch is imperceptible on many guns, making it difficult for referees to detect when players have enabled ramping.
Modes
There are three main modes of ramping. Each mode is determined by the gun's PACT timer that measures the rate of fire and the delay between each shot.
PSP Ramping requires three shots before the gun switches to ramping mode. When on the semi-automatic mode, the player must fire at a rate of at least five balls per second to initiate the ramping to full-auto. The maximum rate of fire in this mode is 13 balls per second.
NXL Ramping requires three shots before initiation. The player only has to hold down the trigger to initiate the increased rate of fire (full-auto). The maximum rate of fire for NXL ramping is 13 balls per second.
Millennium Ramping is initiated when the player pulls the trigger at least six times per second. The fully automatic rate will shoot 12 balls per second.
Ramping Models
Players and manufacturers have tried increasing the speed of the firing mechanism ever since electric markers were introduced in the late 1980s. The Tippmann SMG 60, introduced in 1987, was the first gun capable of full-auto fire and was quickly modified so ramping could take place.
Ramping Bans
Ramping gave players with expensive fully-automatic power an advantage over those players with non-electric markers. The first bans of it came in the mid 1990s just as ramping-enabled guns became popular. Many paintball fields then posted rules and regulations that prohibited players from ramping. PSP ramping has been accepted by some paintball leagues and in some tournaments, but other types of ramping are typically banned from those competitions.
Dangers
Players who use fully-automatic guns can inadvertently shoot opponents more than they intend to, which leads to injuries beyond what a standard paintball gun could do. When PSP ramping is allowed in tournaments, the speed of the guns is sometimes lowered to reduce the chance of injury.
Tags: rate fire, balls second, pulls trigger, balls second Ramping, full-auto maximum, full-auto maximum rate, maximum rate
Polishing the brass on an antique firearm will cause it to lose value.
Brass is a metal traditionally used in producing firearms. Strong, lightweight, and attractive, the yellow-colored metal was used in butt caps, fore-end nose caps, receivers, screws and other areas. Modern day firearms do not use it much, but reproductions of older firearms still use it quite extensively. Brass comes from the factory with a clear coating that protects it from tarnish. With use, the coating wears off and allows the brass to become discolored. Cleaning the brass is easy with the proper tool and peripherals. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Put on rubber gloves to protect the hands from chemicals and the brass from body oil and sweat.
2. Wash and dry all the brass parts, ensuring there is no dirt, gunpowder carbon, or oil on them.
3. Turn the rotary tool on low speed and dip the polishing wheel into the medium rouge compound until the wheel is coated. Very gently polish the brass parts until the remains of the previous coating and any tarnish come off. Do not move in a circular motion but go back and forth. This needs a very light hand as you do not want to remove any metal but only the very top layer.
4. Wipe the brass part clean of all polishing solution with the cotton cloth. Change the wheel to a new one, and coat it the same way with the fine compound. Very gently polish the brass parts until all the small surface scratches are no longer visible and it begins to resemble a mirror finish.
5. Wipe the part again.
6. Change to the buffing wheel and buff the metal until it gleams. Wipe one last time.
7. Dip a portion of the clean cotton cloth into the acrylic urethane sealer and gently rub an ultra-thin layer on the brass. Be careful to overlap the strokes and do not allow the edge to dry before you put a new stroke on.
Tags: brass parts, brass parts until, cotton cloth, gently polish, gently polish brass, parts until
MOLLE is a type of load bearing equipment used by the United States Army. It stands for Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. It uses nylon webbing stitched onto backpacks and other equipment which allows accessories to be easily attached.
History
MOLLE was created in 1997 and was derived from the Pouch Attachment Ladder System. It is in widespread use even outside of military applications.
Components
MOLLE consists of a rucksack, pouches and vests. It is easily configured to fit a situation.
Benefits
The MOLLE system allows the weight to be evenly distributed, making it easier to carry, and has better suspension than the previous ALICE system.
Features
MOLLE comes standard with a hydration pouch and padded straps to make it more comfortable.
Comfort
According to Olive Drab, a belt and suspension system allow the weight to be transferred to the hips, so there is less strain on the wearer's back.
Adoption
MOLLE and variations on the system have been adopted by militaries all over the world. It has become a gold standard for load bearing equipment.
Ghillie suits are designed to be the best personal camouflage in the world, using a three-dimensional camouflaging technique to mask the outline of the human figure and employing materials from the surrounding environment to help the suit blend completely into the landscape. Military personnel have access to specialized materials and equipment, but for civilians who want a ghillie suit, the most practical course is to make your own.
Instructions
1. Use needle and thread to attach the cargo netting to the suit. If you will be crawling around, attach netting only to the back of the jacket and legs. Attach them randomly; a ghillie suit benefits from an uneven silhouette.
2. Wrap netting over your helmet or hat as well, attaching it with glue.
3. Attach the canvas or burlap strips to the netting and suit. Because the purpose of the suit is to blend into the chaos of a natural environment, attach the strips randomly.
4. Use different lengths and different colors for added benefit. Strips hanging from the helmet can be beneficial in obscuring your face, but make sure they do not interfere with your vision.
5. Stuff natural foliage into the netting of your suit when you reach the area where you will be hiding. Use leaves, branches and grass, holding them in place with the straps of the cargo netting.
6. Take special care to obscure your head area, since the head and shoulders are an easily identifiable silhouette. Make the brush sticks out from the suit to break up your outline.
Treat the kids with a summer swimming camp vacation in L.A.
The city of Los Angeles is home to many summer swimming camps that feature a variety of activities and training sessions. Whether you are looking for a week-long camp or maybe one where the kids can stay overnight, you will be pleased to know that there are several in the area that will suit your needs.
Sprinters Paradise
Sprinters Paradise offers training for the kids at the San Fernando regional pool, one of the finest competition facilities in Los Angeles. The camp includes two swim classes per day, technical swim videos and analysis, instructions from top U.S. swimmers and demonstrations from top-level national swimmers. It also offers lunch, games and national guest speakers daily. Sprinters Paradise is open to swimmers ages seven to 17 and the groups are formulated by age. There are four week-long sessions that will run from June 28th to July 23rd in 2010. Prices range from $95 to $145 depending on your chosen session. The rate for daily campers is $55.
SFV Aquatics
P.O. Box 8345
Northridge, CA. 91327
info@sprintersparadiseswimcamps.com
Sprintersparadiseswimcamps
Peak Performance Swim Camp
Peak Performance Swim Camp is nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains. The kids will participate in two training sessions per day that will include peak form physical and technical conditioning tactics, and the sessions will be headed by founder and former Olympic coach Nick Baker. There are two types of camps offered at Peak Performance. The Advanced Training Camp balances pool time between physical and technical conditioning and is offered to kids ages seven to 17, while the Elite Training Camp is approximately 75 percent physical and 25 percent technical and is offered to kids ages 13 to 17. Daily lunches are provided. In 2010, Peak Performance will run from August 9th to August 13th and prices range from $1099 to $1499, depending on your chosen camp.
Peak Performance Swim Camp Lodging
California Lutheran University Residence
60 W. Olsen Rd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
1-877-308-PEAK
Swimcamp.com
Salo Swim Camp
Located on the campus of the University of Southern California, Salo Swim Camp offers daily activities, food, dorm accommodations and frequent appearances by celebrity swimming champions. Former Novaquatics swim team and Soka Swim Team coach David Salo is the founder and head coach for this camp, which features three-day to five-day sessions ranging in price from $425 to $725. The summer camps for 2010 run from June 13th to July 12th and the packages offer three meals a day, snacks, supervised activities, videotaping of the events, a take-home CD and a camper's goodie bag. Salo Swimming Camp is offered to kids ages nine to 18, and all are grouped by age.
Paintball players rely on clear vision to see the opponents.
A thermal lens is a type of lens that uses two lenses to trap air and prevent fogging. Thermal lenses are used in paintball masks, skiing masks and scuba diving goggles that often fog up, hindering the wearer's vision. High quality sports masks often come with thermal lenses or can be fitted with thermal lenses.
Colors
Thermal lenses come in several colors that are used in different situations. Clear is used for dusk or night games when a tint is not necessary to protect from the sun's glare. A light amber tint can be used in sunny or shady conditions to enhance contrast. Smoky or gray tints, best for very sunny conditions, protect the wearer's eyes from glare.
Replacement lenses
As a safety precaution thermal lenses should be replaced annually or if a crack is found. High end mask brands sell replacement lenses to fit their masks.
Care
Avoid cleaning a mask with anything other than a microfiber cloth, which is often included with the mask. Lenses can scratch when continually rubbed with harsh materials. Clean a lens after each use with warm water and a gentle soap. Let the lens air dry.
Special case lenses
Some high end retailers provide thermal lenses with corrective vision for people who wear glasses. These come in several colors and match your custom prescription.
Tags: come several, come several colors, from glare, several colors, thermal lenses
A derby cover is a metal plate, usually made out of sheet steel, used to cover the clutch of motorcycles. Its main utility is to protect the workings of the clutch from possibly harmful dust and other possible contaminates.
Custom Design
Custom designed derby plates are quite common on Harley Davidson motorcycles, as they promote the individuality and free spirit associated with these machines. The design engraved on the plate is typically selected by the bike's owner with special symbolic expression in mind. For example, if the rider is a die -hard Harley aficionado, there is a wide selection of chrome derby plates engraved with the assorted Harley insignias. The classic Derby cover is made of simple smooth finished chrome free of any engravings.
Models and Prices
Typically derby covers are offered in three-hole or five-hole models, depending on the specifications of the bike it is being connected to. The five-hole cover is thought to offer more durability and protection (Wilson and Rafferty, 2001). As there is a wide assortment of derby covers to choose from there is also a wide range of prices. Lower end covers go for around $7, while the higher end covers can get as high as $400, especially if they are gold plated and serve other functions, such as holding license plates.
Essential Utility
Since derby covers are situated in an easily accessible part of the bike, they are relatively simple to change. Cycle mechanics must always remove the derby cover when checking the internal mechanisms of the transmission. For example, to check whether the throw-out bearings need to be changed, it is essential to remove the derby cover first. If by accident, the derby cover is not re-installed or is damaged, the workings of the transmission could be seriously compromised. One common mistake that bikers make, according to Woodring and Love (2006), is replacing the o-ring beneath a warped derby cover without changing the cover. The authors indicate that a warped cover can be just as bad as a damaged one, or in some cases, as not having one at all.
Etymology
The origin of the derby cover is difficult to identify. The term "Derby cover" is not listed in the Oxford English Dictionary. It may have been named after the derby hat which was also an ornament of expression. This conjecture is very likely since the first Harley Davidsons were fabricated around the same time that derby hats were in fashion in the US and were worn by some eccentrically lavish individuals who attended the Kentucky Derby horse race.
Considerations
Since derby covers come in so many different designs, it may be difficult to choose the one that is perfect for you. If you don't like to follow the pack, a good idea would be to design your own and get it custom engraved. There are several derby cover engravers on the Internet like who have extensive experience in dealing with this product.
CO2 guns can be a lot of fun, as long as you always remember that despite the fact that they don't fire bullets, they are not toys. The compressed air used to power a CO2 gun gives it a greater muzzle velocity than a typical BB gun.
Definition
CO2 guns are air guns. They are in the same class as a BB gun or a paintball gun. The key difference is that most CO2 guns get their air from a powerlet, which is a small, disposable cylinder filled with 12 grams of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2). Once the cylinder is punctured, the liquid becomes a pressurized gas that fills the chamber of the CO2 gun. Each shot will deplete some of the air pressure until the powerlet needs to be replaced.
Ammunition
CO2 guns generally fire BBs or pellets, which are small flat-head projectiles not much bigger than a BB. The pellet is made from lead and is hollow. The firepower behind a CO2 gun is around 805 to 1000 psi. The velocity behind such power is about 480 feet per second. BBs are small globes of steel coated in zinc or copper.
Operating Precautions
Besides following standard safety precations that are used with regular firearms, CO2 guns and powerlets should not be stored near heat sources or in direct sunlight. If the temperatures in the powerlet reach 120 degrees F, the pressure begins to increase, which can cause a failure of the powerlet. Failure means the seal on the powerlet will rupture, releasing the case.
Advantages
This basic concept makes the design of an CO2 gun simpler than many other types of air guns. The use of powerlets allows power to be stored for repeated shots, so a CO2 gun can be designed as a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol. However, the guns themselves are relatively inexpensive. Even where firearm possession is tightly controlled, it is still possible to own a CO2 gun.
Disadvantages
Air guns that are powered by hand pumping air into the gun are inexpensive to operate. The more you use a CO2 gun, the more you need to have powerlets around and those costs can add up. Another disadvantage is that CO2 guns have about one-third of the power of the pre-charged pneumatic air guns which use an air reservoir charged with compressed air.
Experimental CO2 Guns
Police have experimented with CO2 guns as a non-lethal way to stop someone. Of course, the muzzle velocity has been increased and instead of pellets, these guns launch bean bags. Don't expect to find these types of CO2 guns in your local sporting goods store any time soon.
Tags: guns powerlets, muzzle velocity, types guns, which small
Enjoy a family afternoon together on a Caribbean beach.
Vacation destinations in the Caribbean offer families the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, while also offering each member the ability to pursue areas of personal interest. Parents can spend an afternoon playing a round of golf while a teenage child hangs out in a teen-only lounge with organized activities and video gaming. Parent and child can swim alongside a dolphin for a memorable experience, learn to windsurf or take a canopy tour above the rain forest.
Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
The Atlantis on Paradise Island offers a multitude activities and amenities for families to enjoy throughout their stay. The resort's Dolphin Cay is a 14-acre dolphin rescue and rehabilitation and marine habitat center where families can swim with the dolphins, become a trainer for the day and interact with sea lions and stingrays. The 141-acre water park has water slides for the timid and courageous family members, a one-mile-long rapid river, 11 pools and interactive water play structure. Families can go scuba diving and snorkeling at the resort, lounge on the beach or walk along inside a shark exhibit. Adults can play a round of golf at the resort's Ocean Club Golf Course while kids enjoy an afternoon at the Paradise Island's kids club, with cooking classes, interactive video gaming, arts and crafts and a multitude of pretend play centers. Teen guests can spend an evening lounging in the 14,000-square-foot Caribbean Crush nightclub while parents try their luck at the resort's casino.
Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club, Jamaica
The Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club is located in Jamaica along the Caribbean Sea. The resort is equipped with a 27,000 square-foot water park, with slides, pools and interactive play centers. Both parents and children can learn to play golf with the resort's kids and adult golf clinics. For pre-teens and teens suffering from video game withdrawal, the resort has an interactive Xbox 360 Game Garage open every day. Daily activities are organized by resort staff and include group water sports, boat cruises, dance parties, talent shows, scavenger hunts, sandcastle building, snorkeling and pizza making. The resort can also assist families in arranging tours and activities, such as A family swim with dolphins, an excursion to Dunn's River Falls or a Jamaica Bobsled Tranopy Tour overtop of rainforest and Mystic Mountain.
Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Club Med Resort in Punta Cana offers activities and amenities for children, teens and adults to appeal to families of any size and members of any age. For the youngest members, Baby Club Med and Petit Club Med programs offers childcare services while family members are engaged in other activities at the resort. The Mini Club Med program for children up to 10 years of age organizes groups according to age for supervised activities. For young guests between 11 and 18 years of age, the Lab at the Ramp offers pre-teens and teens an adult-free lounge area with activities, such as dance and D.J. lessons. Youth at least 13 years of age can also enjoy a beauty treatment at the Teen Spa. The whole family can enjoy a flying trapeze lesson at the resort's circus school, learn windsurf or take an Aqua Zumba class together.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, St. Lucia
The Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is situated on 85 acres and offers all-inclusive vacation packages for family visitors that include access to the amenities and activities throughout the resort. Families can learn to kite surf at the resort's water sports complex or enjoy the beachfront, with snorkeling, sailing, water skiing and swimming. The water park is equipped with water slides, a lazy river and interactive children's center, and the resort's paintball facility is located nearby for a friendly game or two. Children up to 12 can participate in the Kidz Klub, with supervised activities every day. Families can also sign up for a variety of tours and excursions offered by the resort, including a jeep tour around the island, a scuba diving tour and a zip-line tour that travels through the rainforest at a height of 2,000 feet.
Tags: Paradise Island, water park, activities amenities, activities such, Atlantis Paradise, Atlantis Paradise Island, Beach Resort
Nike sponsors youth football programs with grants.
Youth sports programs are a popular activity in many communities. Children engage in exercise while learning teamwork. Nike helps communities sponsor youth football programs with grants from their Nike Donation program. Nike has guidelines for grant applications. Nike will donate equipment to qualified grant applicants across the United States. Nike currently offers cash grants only in the Portland, Oregon, community.
Nike Youth Sports
Nike has been helping communities support youth sports programs since 1999. The company helps promote sports programs worldwide through the Nike Donation program. Nike also sponsors youth sports programs, such as football, baseball and basketball, through grant programs. Nike offers equipment to communities with existing infrastructure.
Restrictions
Nike places restrictions on who can apply for their grant programs. Nike will not sponsor individual teams, and religious or for-profit organizations are not eligible for Nike grants. Nike does not offer scholarships or funding for individual athletes. These restrictions protect the integrity of community sports, and potential NCAA athletes from investigation. Nike says it is committed to promoting community youth sports programs that benefit the entire community.
Youth Football
Nike's grant program has provided equipment to several youth football programs -- both flag and tackle -- across the United States. Communities that could not afford equipment have been improved. Children experience increased access to athletics, promoting a healthier lifestyle. Nike believes that providing youth athletic programs improves the community and the future.
Grant Application
The application for Nike youth football grants is online through their Nikebiz website. The grant program is available in the United States and The Netherlands. Equipment donations are the primary grant program run by Nike for youth football. Cash donations are only available to schools and organizations in the Portland, Oregon, area.
Tags: sports programs, football programs, grant program, program Nike, United States
Solenoid is the generic term for a coil of wire used as an electromagnet. It also refers to any device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy using a solenoid. The device creates a magnetic field from electric current and uses the magnetic field to create linear motion. Common applications of solenoids are to power a switch, like the starter in an automobile, or a valve, such as in a sprinkler system.
How a Solenoid Works
A solenoid is coil of wire in a corkscrew shape wrapped around a piston, often made of iron. As in all electromagnets, a magnetic field is created when an electric current passes through the wire. Electromagnets have an advantage over permanent magnets in that they can be switched on and off by the application or removal of the electric current, which is what makes them useful as switches and valves and allows them to be entirely automated.
Like all magnets, the magnetic field of an activated solenoid has positive and negative poles that will attract or repel material sensitive to magnets. In a solenoid, the electromagnetic field causes the piston to either move backward or forward, which is how motion is created by a solenoid coil.
How Does a Solenoid Valve Work?
In a direct-acting valve, electric current activates the solenoid, which in turn pulls a piston or plunger that would otherwise block air or fluid from flowing. In some solenoid valves, the electromagnetic field does not act directly to open the conduit. In pilot-operated valves, a solenoid moves the plunger, which creates a small opening, and pressure through the opening is what operates the valve seal. In both types, solenoid valves require a constant flow of electrical current to remain open because once the current is stopped, the electromagnetic field disperses and the valve returns to its original closed position.
Electric Solenoids
In an automobile ignition system, the starter solenoid acts as a relay, bringing metal contacts into place to close a circuit. The starter solenoid receives a small electric current when the car's ignition is activated, usually by the turn of the key. The magnetic field of the solenoid then pulls on the contacts, closing the circuit between the car's battery and the starter motor. The starter solenoid requires a constant flow of electricity in order to maintain the circuit, but because the engine is self-powering once started, the solenoid is inactive for most of the time.
Uses for Solenoids
Solenoids are incredibly versatile and extremely useful. They're found in everything from automated factory equipment to paintball guns and even doorbells. In a chime doorbell, the audible chime is produced when a metal piston strikes a tone bar. The force that moves the piston is the magnetic field of a solenoid that receives electric current when the doorbell is pushed.
Tags: electric current, magnetic field, electromagnetic field, starter solenoid, coil wire
One type of paintball gun elbow connects the hopper to the gun.
Paintball guns are designed with inputs for CO2 cartridges (compressed air) for propellant and paintballs for ammunition. As part of the overall setup, different adapters known as "elbows" are used to connect hoses and paintball feed systems (hoppers) to the gun.
What Are Paintball Hopper Elbows?
Most paintball hoppers are not permanently attached to paintball guns. The adaptors used to connect hoppers to guns are called "elbows."
Different Kinds of Elbows
The original hopper adapters were referred to as "elbows" because they bent in the middle, allowing the hopper to be offset from the center of the paintball gun. However, "straight elbows" are now sometimes used for "centerfeed" guns to hold the hopper directly above the center of the gun.
Elbow Materials
Elbows originally were made from PVC plumbing pipes. Today elbows are made from different kinds of plastics, in different colors (opaque or semi-transparent), and occasionally from such alternate materials as brass or aluminum. Some come with assemblies that allow the elbow to be tightened in place using thumbscrews or other mechanisms.
Exceptions to Elbows
Some paintball guns do not use feed elbows at all. Stock-class guns require that the feed tube be connected directly to the gun body, running parallel. Tippmann-brand paintball guns equipped with the Cyclone feed system have a larger directly mounted assembly that feeds paintballs through a port into the gun body.
What Are Gas System Elbows?
Pressure-rated metal elbows are used to allow proper installation of the hoses that feed gas from the paintball gun's tank into the valve system. These come in 90-degree or 45-degree angled versions.
Tags: elbows used, made from, paintball guns, that feed, used connect
Airsoft is a military style war game that pits combatants against each other in a variety of situations. These combatants use replica firearms that fire 6-mm plastic pellets. Demand for these weapons has skyrocketed, according to The Arizona Republic, and many people are looking for advice on get involved in the field.
Instructions
1. Determine your storage capacity. If you are going to sell these guns, you need to have a place to keep a healthy number of them in stock. This doesn't necessarily have to be a business location; many people choose to work out of their homes. The space just has to be large enough to hold a decent inventory.
2. Contact a wholesaler. This can be the manufacturer (good language skills are helpful here, as most manufacturers are based in Asia) or a wholesaler in the U.S. Find out what the wholesaler has to offer, and create a list of what you would like to purchase.
3. Place orders for the weapons from various wholesalers and manufacturers. It is a good idea to keep the inventory varied, with different pricing levels and gun types. This way, there is potential to attract more business.
4. Advertise your services, and start selling. Since you purchased the weapons wholesale, you can add a pretty substantial markup on them, and hopefully turn a profit pretty quickly. Be aware of state laws and firearm codes in the areas where you are selling. It isn't worth breaking the law to make a few extra bucks.
5. Evaluate your successes (or failures) with the first round of products. Make changes as needed.
In the United States military, the various colors of smoke created by smoke grenades do not have preassigned meanings or uses. The specific meaning of a given color is determined by the needs of the user at the time of use. This means that the same color of smoke could mean different things in different situations.
Historical Uses
Colored smoke grenades were first used by American forces during the Vietnam War. They were used to prevent the Viet Cong from employing a tactic known as a false flag maneuver. The Viet Cong would attempt to draw enemy air forces into an ambush by popping standard smoke grenades, or "false flags." By using colored grenades, American troops could provide air forces with a color-specific target and help them to avoid enemy ambushes.
Military Grade
Military grade smoke grenades come in a variety of colors. They can be red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, black, gray or white. A military grade smoke grenade is basically a simple steel cylinder filled with a colored smoke composition. Its color is indicated by a strip of paint around the top of the cylinder. Emission holes in the top and bottom allow the smoke to escape after the grenade has been triggered.
Benefits
Having several smoke colors available makes it possible for ground and air troops to coordinate multiple operations at the same time. All the ground troops have to do is pop two different smoke colors and make sure their air support knows what each color signifies. For example, they might pop green smoke to indicate wounded soldiers on the ground and red smoke to mark an enemy target.
Potential Meanings
Since there is no set meaning for any color, every color of smoke grenade can mean whatever its users want it to. Some potential uses include marking the location of wounded soldiers, providing a target for an air strike and marking the location of friendly troops in need of extraction. They are often used to provide a smoke screen to mask troop movements and attacks.
Other Uses
Colored smoke grenades are not limited to military uses. Smoke grenades are also used routinely in paintball events and airsoft-gun matches, yet these rarely meet military-grade standards. Nonmilitary smoke "grenades" are usually high-volume smoke candles or smoke bombs, which are significantly less expensive than their grenade counterparts. In either paintball or air-soft matches, different smoke colors can be assigned different meanings just as they are in real combat settings.
Photographing snakes is not as simple as it may seem. First you have the task of locating a snake to photograph. Then you have the challenge of a less than willing, fast, potentially dangerous animal as your subject. To have success at photographing snakes, you need to follow some guidelines.
Instructions
Setting Up for Snake Photography
1. Locate a good area to hunt for snakes. Generally, you will have the most luck where the brush is thick, and a water source is nearby. A lake, river, creek or dam is also a good place to find snakes.
2. Educate yourself on the types of venomous snakes in your area. Not knowing a dangerous cottonmouth from a harmless water snake can be a fatal mistake. Learn everything you can about snakes you might encounter.
3. Put on some heavy boots and thick pants at a minimum. Heavy work-type boots can be a lifesaver when dealing with a dangerous snake. If you live in an area that has venomous species, then you may want to consider the knee high boots available at most sporting goods stores.
4. Consider purchasing a snake hook or fashion a large stick into one. This will be handy for moving objects that snakes may be lying under and for moving the snake into a better position. It also is good for hiking.
5. Ensure that your camera is fully ready to go. This should include spare batteries, as well as a camera strap so that you can hang it from your neck. You will need to keep your hands free while searching and moving around the snake.
Finding and Photographing the Snake
6. Look under logs, rocks, brush and fallen trees. These are the most popular places to find snakes. Make sure that you keep your distance and that you use the stick to move these items. If you use your hands, you can get a nasty snake bite.
7. Check on top of rocks near bodies of water as well as in the branches along the banks. Snakes love to sun themselves and can often be found right out in the open. This is particularly true if the area you are looking is not commonly visited by people.
8. Identify the snake species that you find at a distance. If you have any question about the species of snake, then leave it alone or shoot it from at least 10 feet away. A snake can strike at a distance of half of its body length. Give it plenty of room and use the zoom feature on your digital camera.
9. Watch out for other snakes while you shoot pictures. Often where there is one, there are more snakes. You do not want to surprise a dangerous snake.
10. Position the snake out in the open where possible. The snake will often try to escape. If you know for absolute certain that the snake is not venomous, then use your stick to pull the snake into the open. After several tries to escape they will generally sit still or coil up for your picture. Again, use the stick to position the snake; give even non-venomous snakes a wide berth. All snakes have teeth and can bite you.
11. Change your view as well as the settings on your camera to get a number of angles. It is important to have a large memory card or internal memory so that you can shoot rapid pictures of snakes. They want to get away from you and you do not wish to harm the snake or upset it. Shoot your pictures and then move on. Take multiple pictures to ensure a good one.
12. Take advantage of any natural opportunities to shoot snakes as they are found. If you come across a snake sunning on a rock, for example, leave it alone and shoot it there. There is no need to move it from the rock or its natural situation. These are the best snake pictures anyway.
Pellet guns are designed to fire a soft lead cone-shaped pellet ranging from 0.177 inches up to 0.50 inches. Powered by a spring or CO2 cartridge, pellet guns are used for backyard target shooting, nuisance varmint control and competition shooting. Pellet guns are manufactured by several companies, including RWS, Crossman, Marksman, Palco and Umarex.
Pellet Gun and Ammunition
There are many types of pellet guns on the market today, made by several manufacturers. Selecting the right gun can add to the enjoyment of the shooting experience. Once the pellet rifle or pistol is chosen, prepare the gun for shooting. Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions before loading, inserting a CO2 cartridge, cocking or operating the gun in any manner. Gather the items necessary to operate the gun, including pellets and CO2, which will typically take the form of a 12-gram cartridge. Carefully select the proper pellets to be used in the gun, referring to the manufacturer's instructions and imprinting on the gun itself. Typically, most guns will use a .177 or .22 pellet. Make sure the correct pellet is used. Also consider the type of pellet to be used, as there are different types designed for target versus hunting use.
Target Selection and Safety
Choose a location which allows enough distance for pellet gun shooting. Make sure there is a safe and secure backstop such as an earth bank, solid fence or plywood enclosure to collect and stop any stray pellets from exiting the range and potentially causing damage or injury. Select a target for practice. There are several styles and types which can essentially be divided into paper and stand-up. Paper targets feature a printed traditional target scoring ring, silhouette or combination of both. Stand-up targets are typically made of metal with a base, or they may be attached to a rotating target stand. These targets, when shot, will either spin or fall. There are also stand-up targets such as clay disks which break when shot.
Shooting
To shoot the pellet gun, once again refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specifics. Place the safety to the "on" position. Insert a CO2 cartridge, if needed, by accessing the retaining mechanism and securing it with an engaging screw to puncture the the cartridge. Load pellets into the gun either one at a time or into a round clip which holds between 6 and 8 pellets, and load the clip into the gun if using one. Spring guns will typically require the barrel to be broken down, or pulled down and then back up, to cock the spring. Put on safety glasses and raise the pellet gun to the shooting position. Remove the safety, and for rifles, position the stock of the gun against the shoulder. Place the gun on the right shoulder with the right hand near the trigger and left on the forearm if right handed. Reverse if left handed. For pistols, if right handed, hold the pistol so that the right forefinger is near the trigger, and support with the left hand. Reverse if left handed. Line up the center of the target, using the front and rear sights of the gun. Look through the rear sights so that the target is framed by the sides of the rear sight. Adjust the front of the gun until the front post sight comes into view, and position the top of the sight just below the center of the target. Squeeze the trigger to fire a shot.
Tags: manufacturer instructions, center target, guns will, left handed, Make sure, near trigger, pellet shooting
The different stages of cutting and polishing with compounds is designed to attain a mirror-like finish.
Paint functions as the primary barrier to protect car bodies from penetrating contaminants such as moisture, rust, UV light, bird stains and oxidation. Car body paint can also be damaged by scratches and marring impacts from other objects. Different compounds need to be used when buffing and polishing car paint, since they are specific to different levels of damage. A vehicle owner can successfully use compounds if he knows which ones work best for each stage, and its respective application process.
Cutting and Polishing Compound Explanation
Compounds come in creme or paste form, designed to be applied directly to automotive paint by hand or with the use of an orbital buffer. Cutting compounds come in various grades or grits, and are used in the first stages of removing damaged, scratched or glazed paint. Cutting compounds are routinely used after a fine-grit hand-sanding. Cutting compounds have abrasive fibers and particles that cut into paint's topmost surface, to remove very thin paint layers. Polishing compounds have the least abrasive fibers and particles, and are used to bring out a high-gloss finish. Polishing compounds frequently include waxes or sealers.
Extra- or Heavy-Cut Compounds
Extra- or heavy-cut cutting compounds contain the heaviest abrasive particles to penetrate very deep into clear coat or non-clear coat paint layers. Extra cut compounds work best on very heavy accumulations of oxidation and UV light fading, when the entire vehicle is affected. They are also used to remove deep scratches in localized areas where the scratch has not intruded into the primer coat. Extra-cut compound functions well for removing embedded stains such as bird, berry and tree-sap stains. Extra-cut compound is best used with a matching coarse-grit, or heavy-cut cutting pad, made of fibrous wool strands, although heavy-cutting sponges and cloth pads are also available.
Medium-Grade Cutting Compounds
Medium-grade cutting compounds contain smaller abrasive particles in their formulas, making them less aggressive than extra-cut. They work best on average accumulations of oxidation and UV light fogging, where the paint has not been damaged to great depth. Although often used as a second step after extra-cut compound cutting, the medium-grit compound removes medium and deep scratches well without intruding too deep into the paint. Medium-grade compounds do well at removing surface mars that sit atop paint layers. They are used with matching medium-cut sponge, wool or cloth pads. They can be applied with an orbital buffer or by hand.
Fine-Cut Compounds
Fine-cut compounds contain fewer abrasive particles in their formulas, compared to the medium-cut. This makes them less aggressive for the last stage in cutting, after extra- or medium-cut. Fine-cut compounds will bring out nearly all of the high-gloss shine and gloss in the paint's surface, whereas the extra-cut and medium-cut compounds might leave a hazy or foggy surface appearance. Fine-cut compounds remove light scratches, thin accumulations of UV hazing and oxidation, as well as shallow stains. Fine-cut also removes old wax and sealant without penetrating deeply into clear coat or paint. Fine-cut compounds are used with matching fine-cut buffing pads -- either wool, cloth or sponge.
Swirl Remover Compound
Swirl remover, sometimes called "ultra-fine-cut" is a specially designed formula of oils, cleaners and micro-thin abrasive particles, and is used as an optional last stage of cutting. Swirl remover can smooth out 1,500- to 1,700-grit sanding scratches. Swirl remover excels in removing slight paint imperfections like spider webbing, orbital swirls (dark cars) and light scuffs, which are invisible until illuminated with an ultraviolet light. Swirl remover abrasive particles break down as they create heat and friction, until they become micro-fine particles. Swirl remover is applied with either a fine-cutting pad or a fine polishing pad made from cloth, sponge or wool.
Polishing Compounds
Polishing compounds are used as the last stage of bringing out the paint's luster and gloss after cutting. Polishing compounds can use very tiny abrasive particles and cleaners, or contain a wax and sealer combination. They function like swirl remover, aside from the extra sealant or protectant used as a barrier against UV light damage and oxidation. Some polishes contain no abrasives and use organic chemicals, cleaners and oils to attain a high gloss. Fine polish compounds require low-pressure application with fine polishing pads -- orbital, cloth or sponge -- or can be applied with microfiber towels by hand.
Wax and Sealant Compounds
Wax and sealants remain the last stage in paint finishing. Heavy waxes, like Carnuba, buff well into the paint and cover the smallest micro-pores and imperfections. Waxes coat the paint completely, guarding against moisture, oxidation and UV light penetration. Sealants, or wax-sealant combinations, use additional organic or silicone chemicals, to provide the same covering and protection as a heavy paste or creme wax. Many wax-sealant compounds are made from synthetic chemicals, depending upon the formula of the manufacturer. Waxes and sealants are often applied by hand, but can be applied with orbital buffers equipped with very fine polishing pads.
If you're looking for good camouflage for hunting, paint ball or invading a small country, there's not much that works better than a ghillie suit. Invented by Scots sportsmen and borrowed by Highland soldiers, the ghillie, or yowie, suit is a type of clothing that is designed to make you look like a bush or a leaf pile. It's usually made from a net or cloth garment with loose strips of cloth mingled with real or artificial string, twine, leaves, twigs and other materials that will blend in with the surroundings. You can make one yourself.
Instructions
1. Sew patches of nylon netting to the fabric of the jumpsuit with clear monofilament thread or fishing line. Use a drop of glue wherever you attach the net to the suit to strengthen the knot and insure the net remains attached to the suit. Cover most of the suit, but leave gaps at the joints so you can bend your waist, arms and legs without having to fight the netting. Sew net loosely over the top of your hat.
2. Tie twine, jute or strips of cloth to the netting. Use simple knots. This is time-consuming work and simple knots are quicker. Besides, you may want to alter the suit later for other terrain or wilderness environments, so it helps if you can untie at least some of the strands later. Use lots of different natural colors found in the area where you'll be hiding--nothing unnatural. Cover the entire suit with lots of shaggy bits, but leave a little room for local customizing. Do the same for your hat so that your face is concealed.
3. Spray the outside of the rags and strings with streaks of camouflage spray paint to blend the surface. Keep it light. Don't coat the loose strands of twine and rags, just shade them.
4. Season the netting and the attached fabric. You can do this by dragging the hat and suit behind a car, tossing it into the lake or onto damp ground. This is especially true if you are using the suit for hunting. Be careful not to damage the suit while seasoning it. Just make it smell musty--like the woods.
5. Once you arrive at the area where you will be concealing yourself, customize the suit by tucking local leaves, grasses, branches and vines into the netting of the suit. Make yourself look like a bush or a pile of brush. If you'll be standing upright, put leaves and branches up top and grass and vines and twigs on the lower half so you'll look like a proper pile of vegetation. Use lots of fluffy vegetation in your hat so that you can still see even between the loose fronds and leaves. Wide bits of vegetation on the shoulders and hat help break up the lines and disguise the fact that there's a human head there.
6. Attach more stuff to the back of the suit. Get help from a friend or do it before you put on the suit. Carry a roll of dark-colored string in your pocket to tie stuff securely to the net. If you are going to be crawling through brush, you don't want to lose your disguise or have it making a lot of noise.
7. Change your tie-on items as you move from one environment to another so you'll blend in. The ghillie suit is particularly adapted to a varied environment, which explains its popularity with soldiers. You could disguise yourself as a pile of trash quite easily by attaching bits of garbage to the netting.
Tags: look like, area where, like bush, look like bush, simple knots, strips cloth, your that
The Icon X paintball gun by 32 Degrees is a stacked-tube blowback semiautomatic paint gun. It's an entry-level paint gun that is designed to be inexpensive. With a few simple changes, however, it can serve as an excellent recreational paint gun.
Icon X Basics
Typical entry-level paint guns sacrifice some elements of quality and sophistication in order to keep the price low for new players. The Icon X follows this pattern with a basic barrel, a non-motorized plastic hopper and a small CO2 tank. However, it also includes nice features such as a drop-forward, a vertical foregrip, centerfeed, a sight rail and a two-finger trigger. These all used to be considered high-end features or mandatory upgrades, so it's nice to have them included on the basic gun. The Icon X is compatible with Kingman Spyder parts.
Upgrading the Basics
For the Icon X, there are three "must-have" upgrades that will benefit the paint gun right away. First, a motorized (agitated) hopper such as an Invert Reloader 2 will help ensure that paint balls feed consistently into the gun. Second, a fixed-pressure compressed air system that screws directly into the bottomline will provide steady, regulated air to the Icon X, which helps keep velocity and performance stable. Third, a quality aftermarket barrel such as a Lapco BigShot or CP Classic will improve your accuracy and consistency and may also reduce the sound made by firing.
Care and Feeding
Like any paint gun, the Icon X has to be properly maintained in order to provide consistent and reliable performance. This means following the owner's manual instructions for cleaning and lubricating the paint gun. Smart players will run through the field-strip and reassembly procedure before ever playing with the gun to ensure that it was done correctly. Also, as with any paint gun, using better-quality, fresh paint balls will help the Icon X reach its performance potential. Quality paint is less likely to break or be out of round, both of which can hurt accuracy and require more downtime for cleaning.
Advanced Upgrades
Players wanting to get the best out of their Icon X will eventually want to replace the stock springs with a standard spring kit (available from most paint ball retailers). Better-quality springs will lead to more consistent performance and durability. Stainless-steel replacement screws may also be installed to resist rust and corrosion; these also help the look of the paint gun. Finally, since the Icon-X is compatible with most Spyder upgrades, such as electronic grip frames, a player could possibly replace every major part except the body in the pursuit of top performance.
Tags: compatible with, ensure that, entry-level paint, paint balls, paint Icon, will help
A tactical paintball vest is nothing more than a vest that is meant to hold a person's gear during game scenarios. These vests can hold extra rounds of ammunition, extra CO2, a paintball pistol in a holster and a variety of other necessities. It all really depends on how you customize your particular vest as to what sorts of scenarios it's best for though.
Instructions
1. Figure out what configuration you're going to need. For instance, if you're going to be playing a game where paint grenades are allowed, you might want to have a sling to carry some. If you are only allowed to use regular paintball rounds, then you may want to attach more additional holders for replacement paintball pods.
2. Attach your accessory pouches. Molle accessories use what's called a "strap and snap" form of connection, so you can attach them directly to the vest with relative ease and then remove them later the same way without any sewing or seam ripping.
3. Try the vest. Run with it, and try to remove and replace things in the pouches that you've attached to the vest. Make sure that it fits properly, and that you have easy access in the ways that you want. For instance, if you're a right-handed shooter, you should keep your spare ammo on your left side so that you don't have to either put down your gun or reach across your body to get spare paintballs.
Go-kart racing is a fun alternative to having a birthday party at home.
Beaches are just the beginning of what the Sunshine State has to offer in the realm of birthday parties. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach metropolitan area consists of the three most populated counties in the entire state of Florida, which equates to an abundance of activities for just about any type birthday party your child desires. With warmer weather in the south of Florida, family fun is waiting just around the corner with these easy and fun ideas for birthday parties. Does this Spark an idea?
Boomers Boca Raton
Boomers Family Fun Center in Boca Raton is the ultimate destination for birthday fun, as it provides a large variety of activities for children of all ages. Miniature golf, go-karts, bumper boats, bowling, laser tag and a rock climbing wall are just a few of the fun activities for kids at Boomers. A fully loaded state-of-the-art game room hosts an array of entertainment including racing, snowboarding, dancing and horse racing video games.
Boomers Family Fun Center offers three birthday packages to choose from. The basic package includes birthday party set-up, two slices of pizza, soda and unlimited popcorn for just $12.99 per person. The deluxe package includes the basic package plus 70 bonus points for video games and attractions for just $17.99 per person. The ultimate package includes the basic package, plus four hours of unlimited go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, rock wall and one laser tag session, plus 5,000 free tickets for the birthday boy or girl for just $22.99 per person. These reflect fall 2010 pricing.
Boomers! Boca Raton
3100 Airport Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-347-1888
boomersparks.com
Medley Paintball
Medley Paintball is a family owned and operated paintball park just outside of Miami, offering a two field facility and a PTI (Paintball Training Institute) trained staff. Group bookings are available and include four hours of play, a private table for your group, a fanned and covered canopy area for parents to watch the action, a private referee and a free one hour clinic if necessary. Medley Paintball even keeps an event planner on site to help you with food and drink arrangements for your next birthday party. However, all players must be at least 10 years old to participate.
Medley Paintball Park
9185 N.W. 96th St.
Medley, FL 33178
305-888-5552
medleypaintball.com
Rapids Water Park
Rapids Water Park is the ideal venue for birthdays that take place during the warmer months of South Florida. Rapids Water Park is in West Palm Beach and features 29 water slides, including Florida's largest water slide Big Thunder. Parents can float down the lazy river or enjoy over 25 acres of entertainment at this premier family park. As of 2010, birthday parties with 20 people or more receive a group rate of $25 per person.
Rapids Water Park
6566 N. Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
561-842-8756
rapidswaterpark.com
Tags: birthday party, Boca Raton, Medley Paintball, Rapids Water, Rapids Water Park, Water Park
Paintball is a recreational sport in which players use paintball guns to tag targets and opposing players with paint. Paintball guns are powered by compressed air, usually in the form of CO2, that comes in a tank that is attached to the paintball gun. The tanks need to be filled often, as they deplete rapidly while under heavy use. Luckily, filling a CO2 tank is an easy process, requiring only a few materials and a few simple steps.
Instructions
1. Use a wrench to attach the fill-station adapter to the CO2 fill tank. Make sure the bleed valve on the fill-station adapter is in the "OFF" position.
2. Screw the CO2 tank that you need to fill onto the fill-station adapter. If your are filling a "pin-valve" tank, screw in the top valve on the fill adapter to engage the pin valve. If you are filling an "ON/OFF valve" tank, simply switch the valve on your tank into the "ON" position.
3. Turn the valve on the CO2 fill tank into the "ON" position. You will hear your CO2 tank filling with CO2. Only allow about two ounces of CO2 to enter into the tank (let your tank fill for about three seconds). Turn the valve on the CO2 fill tank into the "OFF" position.
4. Turn the bleed valve on the fill-station adapter into the "ON" position. Your CO2 tank will expel the air you put in it in Step 3. When it is finished, close the bleed valve on the fill-station adapter.
5. Hang your CO2 tank on the hanging scale. Zero the scale while the CO2 tank is hanging on it.
6. Turn on the main valve on the CO2 fill tank. Allow your tank to fill until the scale reads between 18 and 20 oz. When it is finished, turn off the fill tank.
7. Disengage your CO2 tank by either unscrewing the top valve on the fill-station adapter or turning the valve on your tank into the "OFF" position, depending on the type of tank you have (see Step 3). Open the fill-station adapter bleed valve to expel any air left in the hose.
8. Unscrew your CO2 tank from the fill-station adapter.
Tags: fill-station adapter, into position, bleed valve, fill tank, tank into