[calebc]

I've seen 3-ways on many of the better guns out there, but I never understood what they're for. What does it do and how does it work?

Thanks guys. I've been wondering this for a loooong time.

[MedicDVG]

Generally these are found mostly on autocockers, my knowledge tehre is sketchy, but it is my understanding is a push pull type ram that has three air inlets. Ask one of the cocker guys, or check out the sticky in the autococker forum for more information.

[dhill0413]

that shows a little how a cocker works...

Basically...the 3-way(technically a 4-way) directs air coming from the low pressure Regulator into the Ram to recock the marker. Pulling the trigger back puts air into the ram to push BACK the bolt and back block and recocks the pin.

Releasing the trigger lets air come in the other side of the ram, pushing back the back block, bolt, and pin that is now recocked. Repeat for every trigger pull.

A good 3way is defined by the shorter trigger pulls, smoothness, and non-leakage.

[BrightSpot]

wow thats a nice exaple there dhillo, wow again

[MP11]

3-Ways are found mostly in Autocockers. Basically an Autococker is a Spyder with an independent bolt, and the pnuematics control this independent bolt. The pnuematics consist of the ram, the LPR (low pressure regulator), and the 3-Way.

Basically a 3-Way directs air from the LPR to either side of the ram using a shaft. This shaft is connected to a rod, named the timing rod, which is directly connected to the trigger frame. The timing rod is controlled by the trigger, when you pull the trigger the timing rod comes back or goes forward (depending on if you are using a slider or hinge frame).

When you pull the trigger the 3-Way shaft will move and open up a passageway for the air to get a side of the ram. The ram also uses something similar to the 3-Way shaft to recieve the air and use it as needed. The ram is attached to the pump rod, which is then attached to the backblock, which the bolt is inserted in and locked in place by a pull pin. When the bolt goes back a paintball is able to load into the breech and then get ready to be fired after the previous one is fired. Since their is a paintball in the breech before it is fired (waiting to be fired) Autocockers are closed bolt markers.

-Mike

[lbreevesii]

in all technicality many high end electro markers have a 3-way. but it isn't a "3-way" in the sense that you think of it as in a cocker(unless you are talking e-blade). its like a 3-way that is connected to the selenoid so it is controlled by the noid rather than the trigger. in the true sense though, only cockers and the like have 3-ways. other guns that have them though are most of the palmers guns(blazer does, i assume typhoon does). basicly, as has been said the 3-way is what allows an autococker to well, autocock. it allows the ram to actuate which recocks the gun.

[calebc]

Thanks guys. That had been bothering me for a long time. I somewhat understand now and expect that I won't fully understand it until I have actually had one for myself or worked on one.

[HP_lovecraft]

The trick is to simply.

A 3-way is just a switch.
It takes in 100psi GAS, and either sends it down "Hose A" or "Hose B".

On the 3-way is some sort of button, lever, or rod that controls which hose gets the 100psi gas. This gas is sent to a pneumatic ram to control which direction it moves.

On Cockers, the 3-way switch is connected to the trigger. So, pulling the trigger makes the ram open the bolt. Releasing the trigger makes the ram close the bolt.

This is the same for the Typhoon, Blaser, Sterling, and clones.
The Vector, runs in reverse. Pulling the trigger CLOSES the bolt.
The AT85R is special in that the 3way is not connected to the trigger.

-Nick

[calebc]

Thanks. Very informative. You are always very concise HP.