rental advice

[kruger]

I thought it was a used paint off the ground problem at first, but it doesn't seem to be the case. I do get alot back with crud in them but just as many without. To test the theory I watched people one day all day with the rentals and they wern't using paint off the ground and it was still breaking. I think some of it may have to do with players holding the markers crooked which gravity fed hoppers don't like but even when I tell them not to do so the markers still comeback full of goo more than half the time.

If the problem is with the players, then, there is nothing that you can do short of buying force feed hoppers. The only thing that I can suggest is to make sure that the players are aware of the limitations of the gravity feed hoppers. Sell squeegee's, the cheap ones at a mark-up. If your customers are having a good time playing, then push the fact that these are only rental guns and that the guns that you could get for them would not have the problems that the rentals do. It could be a marketing strategy for you

[bryceeden]

If the problem is with the players, then, there is nothing that you can do short of buying force feed hoppers. The only thing that I can suggest is to make sure that the players are aware of the limitations of the gravity feed hoppers. Sell squeegee's, the cheap ones at a mark-up. If your customers are having a good time playing, then push the fact that these are only rental guns and that the guns that you could get for them would not have the problems that the rentals do. It could be a marketing strategy for you

The problem is that my 98s broke just as much or maybe more paint but they can shoot thru it, the Spyders cann't and just jam up requireing removal of the bolt and squeegeeing, then it'll work fine until its dirty again, but I don't really like the idea of people taking my markers apart on the field. Also if my renters don't have a good time they never become buyers and players so alot rests on my rentals working and letting people with no experiance have a good time.

[kruger]

Ahh, I see now. You really dont have any idea what they are doing with the markers.

One thing that you can do is buy a dremmel, and engrave "property of..........., not to be sold" on the bodies. That way, you can positively identify your guns. Also, throw a serial number on them and keep a record. Doing it the way that you are doing it, I would even engrave them, take a picture of the marker after its engraved, and keep it on a disk. That way, when you do find one, you have the pics to back up your claim on it.

Also, it seems that your liability would be sky high on this type of business, but I guess that it works for you. Good luck.

[kruger]

Also, I see that you are in Utah. I dont know anything about the weather there. Different formulas work differently in different climates. Is it very humid there? Is it possible that the humidity is causing the balls to swell up? Or is it hot and dry? Temperature may be the culprit on this.


Also, it seems to me that you are going to throw a lot of money at a problem that you are not even sure of just yet. Were I you, I would kinda wait until I could control the environment that they are used in. You could go and buy up a bunch of DM7's and still get the same complaints, and still not know what the problem is. It may be that you need to provide a place for them to play so that you can get a handle on what they are actually doing with them. I know that it is easier to say than to do, but, I think that you would be saving money in the long run if you were able to get a traditional field set up.

[bryceeden]

Also, it seems that your liability would be sky high on this type of business, but I guess that it works for you. Good luck.

You have no idea. My insurance premiums are a nightmare, but yes, it is worth it. With some luck I'll have a field by next year and alot of my problems will be solved but for now I need a solution. Truthfully if I could control them better I'd use Spyder VS1s as my rentals, but as it sits now E-markers are a poor choice as it greatly increases the possibility of serious issues due to misuse.

[bryceeden]

Also, I see that you are in Utah. I dont know anything about the weather there. Different formulas work differently in different climates. Is it very humid there? Is it possible that the humidity is causing the balls to swell up? Or is it hot and dry? Temperature may be the culprit on this.

It could be a factor as its just starting to get cool, but I haven't seen the problem with any of our usual players and all the paint I shoot still works great(granted there is a marker and care difference there). Humidity is all but nonexistant in my part of the state so thats really not an issue, but in the next few months it'll get very cold and that always causes problems. Now however its usually in the 50s or 60s most days(which is alot down from the 100+ average two months ago.) I don't know if I can blame the weather this time.


Also I have set up fields and controled environments in local parks and campuses and I have the same problem.

In nearly 7 years of doing it this way I've never had this problem which kind of points to the markers as the culprit.

[d4m4don3]

Aren't there rental mags? I hear they're pretty much child proof.

[bryceeden]

Aren't there rental mags? I hear they're pretty much child proof.

There use to be, I wish there still were.

[Freebird]

try glass beading the chamber of a 98, this will garuntee the removal of all old paint and gunk, use that as a test marker and see how that works for you. I dont know how old your rental markers are but i know on our old 98's the paint they use to paint the bodies gunks up real well in the chamber.

[Piranti]

Honestly the only option, for you from the 'problems' to resolve would be solved by using Class Mags with a power feed bodies on your own field. Single trigger ones at that. Reliability, durability, ease of cleaning, all of it says mag. Simple effective yet initial investment high, but over the life of the marker, which is going to cost you more? Already you spent what on a set of the Tippmans, then what on the Spyders? Now how much have you lost from those 'investments, in repair, and replacement? Since you know the Mags how much do you think you would have spent in the same time period if you had just bought mags to begin with?


Now compare the numbers. Which would have been the better investment? Also I seriously recommend using something other than mags for off personal field rentals. Just due to the 'loss/stolen' factor.

[Chronobreak]

few things

get something with a vertical feed or molded integrated feed or youl be replacing alot of feednecks

Mags are a steep investment but they are just that an investment, they hold their value fairly well and will last a lifetime or five.

We have some rental mags that have been in use since around 93 i believe and are running as good as ever with only a rebuild kit needed every year or so. They are by far the easiest to clean and maintain.

-rental players will turn the barrels so get ule's or screw in the nubbins tight so they cant turn them

--also the powerfeeds are a weeknes for the forementioned feedneck that will break and end up costing extra $.

If you could get a ule classic mag in my mind that is/would be the perfect rental marker and holy grail for a field owner. but they are steeply priced

spyderclones

we recently bought a lot of INFERNOS, made by sterling i believe and an very happy with them. they have no bolt o-rings and are machines aluminum. only o-rings are on the valve and the hammer.

they are vert feed and seem to be holding up well, they are also single triggered so the rof is kept somewhat low.

oh, and if you get BT's for some reason make sure you LOC TITE all the screws on every gun or they will shake apart on you

[punkncat]

Keep in mind that even if you go with classics you will need to consider HPA.

[bryceeden]

Keep in mind that even if you go with classics you will need to consider HPA.

Yes, but HPA is a better choice anyway due to the fact I have a compressor.

[Toll]

Our field has 60 odd m98's and they've worked out well and realistically seem to be the best option.


Cockers: hahahaha...seriously, no.

Mags: No one knows what they are or how to use them. You will be replacing feednecks/plugs left right and center unless you get ule bodies which causes even more issues.

Spyders: This would be my second choice. They're relatively cheap and the problems they have can generally be taken care of rather easily. You have alot of paint issues (or atleast breech issues) so these are ruled out too, mostly.

A5's : another solid option. Less chops due to the cyclone and they are getting to be cheap now adays. Used anyway, bnib they're still expensive.

Ions : "meh". If you can keep the batteries in good order (a bunch of rechargables) and stick with gravity fed hoppers you could work out fine with them as the eyes take care of everything else break wise. In addition they are coated in plastic so it minimalizes the scrapes and bruises that rental markers tend to go through.



To be honest, the problem is generally more with the people and less with the guns. People start trying to fire too fast, they pick up swelled paint, they pack their hoppers crammed full or something equally weird.

[bryceeden]

Cockers: hahahaha...seriously, no.

Oh, come on cockers could be good rentals its not like renters would screw the timing up everytime, shortstroke left and right, and put bolts in upside down or anything.


I could always get Epics, they're supost to be low maintenace and not break paint.