Bunker Ideas

[Derman2k]

I have a speeball course set up in my backyard. Right now most of the bunkers are just big snow mounds...I'm hoping to still have a field in the spring and summer but I don't know any way to make one. The bunkers would have to be moveable, because its my backyard and my dad doesn't want it to be a paintball field only...So i was thinking barrels that we could just move off at the end of the day...but garbage cans are like 10 dollars a piece...any ideas?

[EsPo]

You can use any size place you want, just put the appropriate amount of bunkers. As far as being expensive, it isn't expensive at all. The 10 foot lengths of PVC pipe are like 1-2 dollars and the connectors are like 20 cents a peice. It is cheaper than ply wood though. Well, here it is. Have fun!!!

These are super easy to make if you have access to a sewing machine. You can use any material but i like to use cotton canvas aka cotton duck. It is tough and durable. If you are lucky you can get it treated with anti mildew chemicals, which is nice. Here is how to do it.

1) decide what size to make the bunker for example i will use 3' x 4'

2) you will cut 1 piece of heavy "shc 80 pvc pipe(i use 2" or 1.5" diameter)" that are just under 3' say 2'11.5", and 4 pieces that are 3'11.5" (the size is a bit smaller to allow for the extra length of the fittings).

3) cut 2 of the longer pieces in half (these will be the legs) I add weight to the legs of my bunkers if you want to do that too you will need 2 t connectors and 4 plugs or 2 plugs and 2 caps. (plugs glue inside the pipe and caps on the outside. (i suggest plugs they are usuall cheaper and don't increase the diameter of the legs at the end).

4)take the 4 halves and plug one end. Add sand, dirt,or whatever to add weight. (note water will freeze in the winter and break the pipes). then plug the other end of them to keep the weight from leaking out.

5) Now attach each half to another with a t connector. now you have 2 weighted legs

6) just dry fit (no glue the two longer pieces into the t connectors) and dry fit an elbow on the end of each piece.

7)dry fit the short piece into the elbows now you have the frame it should stand and be fairly stable At this point you can glue the elbows only to the short piece or top of the bunker make sure they line up with each other.

8) to make the bunker part you want a piece of cloth that is about 4'x5' you might have to sew two pieces together to get this size depending on the width of material you have. WARNING!!!! If you want to wash your bunkers in the laundry make sure you wash and dry the cloth before cutting it to size (I do it twice) that way it will shrink now not later which would make it not fit the frame.

9) cut a four inch square out of 3 corners then hem all sides (fold it over like .5" and stitch it to its self )use a couple of stitches or a zigzag stitch this will keep the material from unraveling.

10)fold the "flaps" over the frame and pin them into place Makine tubes along the top and two sides. *Be sure that the top piece with the elbows attached has plenty of room to slide out when you take it apart.

11) stitch the tubes into the fabric
12) re assemble to be sure everything still fits

Now there is a step I have started adding to make the things stronger. You should have a bit of cloth left loose at the bottom of the bunker fold it up till it is level with the ground and make another tube. Measure the exact space between the legs like this



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| _measure this didstance _ |
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Cut a piec of pipe that is slightly smaller than that distance (this can be smaller .5" pipe to save $$$ plug one end and fill with weight plug other end. When this piece is slid into the bottom tube it will hang and keep the bunker cloth down and keep the legs from getting pushed together. Tak thin steel rods and bend into u shapes around the pipe and you can use these like tent stakes to anchor the legs at the ends to help keep it form getting knocked or blown over.

Now you have a nice bunker that you can take apart and roll up you can hose it off in the yard and let it stand to dry or hose it off and then throw it into the laundry.


It will help you if you invest in a pvc cutter it is quicker and easier than sawing it to length (these look like the cutters for trimming branches but are stronger and designed for cutting pvc pipe.


you can change the sizes to make different bunker sizes and etc.



I love these bunkers they are very versatile, fairly cheap, and very portable.

thanks to k-villieplayer

[Derman2k]

Those directions are kinda confusing...any pictures?

[Fatjon]

Spools. You can just roll them away when you done. And our electrical company gives them away if you come and get them

[Reo5th]

Mossman, Angryman and I hit up our local scrubadub. They were more than willing to let us clear out all their old soap barrels. We have about 10 55 gallon barrels that work great.

This video of me playing (back in my emag days) only shows the barrels briefly, but you can see they're pretty effective.

http://www.tektonic.com/paintball/emagvid.mpg

[Rancid Milk]

Someone had the idea of using that inflatable furniture a while ago. I don't know how durable those are, but the couches must be at least semi-striongt if they can hold like 500 pounds on them. And then you could just throw it in front of your TV when done, its a good investment

[BobTheCow]

lol i can see one of those couches getting pepperred and flying towards me as I'm running at it but it wouldn't matter cuz it involves PLAYING PAINTBALL!!
I wish I had the space in my backyard to play... or at least the lack of houses every which way... *sigh* suburbia

[�.C.]

ever several rope lines and hang towels/cloth on. Thats how my friends and I play airsoft. It's very cool, when you prone you can shoot at feet

[Derman2k]

Pretty good ideas so far...any other?

Someone suggested Hay Bails...they'd be pretty good too right?

[magsRus]

trash cans would work..but if you come across 6 grand you can always buy a Sup 'Air or Ulimate Field

[Star_Base_CGI]

I really like the PVC idea. You would just make the frame and you would need a sewing machine. The cloth would hang in the PVC frame. I would use Camoflauge material or Rip stop Nylon.

Dont use Hay Bails, use Straw, its more durable.

[Derman2k]

Hay...straw...same difference...cept straw is harder

[magmonkey]

look around your area for places that have used 55 gallon drums

we have made several fields this way, it cost $1 per drum for steel 55 gal. and we setup another field with Kanes pickel drums that we got for free.just ask around

also we played on a field in MD that used wlamart kids play tents for bunkes (a really cheap alt to supair)
and that worked out very well

[Star_Base_CGI]

Im from Maryland also.

The field where Shatner Ball is going to be, they use plastic 55 gallon drums.

Where do you guys play at?

[magmonkey]

I am from Mass but we played at popas for the WPF a couple yeas ago it is in tanneytown wasnt a bad field we helped pull down the tent field and put up the supair/hyper fields we used for the wpf event
the lady who runs the place is really nice