Hey guys. I got a setup for Xmas and put everything together. It was all brand new. We went out to play 2 days after Xmas and I ended up with my gun jammed and the inside of the cyclone looking like a blender.

We were playing indoor so it wasn't very cold, maybe 18 or so celsius in the building (wasn't exactly hot).

Were using field paint, I didn't think to check the brand at the time. Had no choice in paint.

Equipment (all brand new):
98 custom platinum w/ ACT
cyclone
double trigger (not R/T or e)
Remote line
Running HPA

When I first got there I was using my flatline. I took my cheap paint into the chrony because I hadn't bought the field paint. I sprayed a lot, but didn't think to look inside the hopper / cyclone at the time.

I know I did a lot of things wrong, but this was my second paintball trip and first with my own equipment. Lets say that I've learned a whole lot in the last week lol.

Anyhow, thinking that the flatline was the problem I put the stock barrel on for the rest of the day. I still sprayed, but did so less. At least I could chrony. Now I realise that my problem was likely the el-cheapo paint that I got for free with the gun and was cold from sitting in the trunk while we went out for breakfast before paintball. (i.e. brittle garbage).

I got through a few rounds before my gun was jamming. Started sounding like I was out of air. Eventually I figured out that my cyclone was jammed and there was a balled jammed in the gun. I field stripped the gun for the first time, to try and un-jam it and cleaned it out as best I could there. I had to sit out 2 rounds to do this. Later at home I realised that I didn't have to do it this way...

I got everything back together and was able to finish the day spraying a bunch of paint once in a while for the last few rounds.

This weekend I completely dissassembled the gun. Polished the internals, cleaned out all the paint. Did the same to teh cyclone, and while in there sanded down what felt like some sharp edges and shaved the tips off of the screws to be sure. It was full of paint...

In my testing after re-assembly the gun was performing much better. The odd ball break, but I think this time it was mostly the cheap paint. There did not appear to be any breaks inside the cyclone except for one that I caught. I think what spray I did have in testing was due to balls cracking in the cyclone before being shot.

From my reading squishy paddles can really help here. I just want to use the cyclone reliably. Are the squishy paddles off of ebay worth trying, or should I wait and spring for TechT? The price difference for me is anywhere from $20-$30.

I know techT is highly regarded but I thought I would see if there were any experiences with the alternative. Yes... I've seen the thread about buying quality parts. Call me an idiot if you must, but I felt like I had to ask. I'm aiming to play about once a month or so casually with friends. I just want it to work when I do play.

Thanks

Squishy paddles will help, I use both techT and Lapco paddles and find that (for me) lapco seems to work well for me more so then techt (i use the dark green paddles which i think are a medium)

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Looks like you're on the right track. Good job on filing down those sharp edges. That was the FIRST thing I did with mine. Not sure about the Ebay squishies. I never used squishies at all and never had a cyclone break. I'm sure they would work just fine. But if you want to be sure, go for the TechT paddles. Something you can try in the meantime, while you wait for the cash to get the good ones... try boiling your stock paddles. I boiled mine for about 30 to 45 minutes. it softened them up a fair bit, although didn't make them a true "squishie". at this point, you have nothing to lose, and this mod won't cost you anything. And if it works for you, then hey, you saved yourself some cash.

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Thanks Fergus, that's a solid tip. Now that you mention it I read somewhere that someone did that.

So just put them in a bath of boiling water for 45 minutes or so? Seems simple enough. Worth a shot before spending more money.

It seemed that almost everyone I was playing with was spraying paint that day. All of us had new gear, all running cyclone, no choice in paint as field paint must be purchased. I think it was probably relatively cheap paint getting beaten up by the cyclones.

I'll try boiling mine and my brothers paddles before our next outing.

also keep in mind that thin shelled, brittle paint doesn't usually work too well in a cyclone. Most guys I know can't use Marbalizers. obviously you can't do much about it if you have to use field paint. but try to go with a mid-grade if they give you a choice.

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