Make Your Own Custom Orbeez Gun “Ammo” on the Cheap

With the rising popularity of Orbeez guns and other gel blasters, many enthusiasts are looking for ways to enjoy these toys while keeping costs down. One great option is to make your own custom Orbeez gun “ammo” using affordable materials. This DIY approach allows you to create expansive, water-absorbing beads that can be fired from your blaster just like standard ammo.

This article will provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to making your own Orbeez gun ammunition on a budget. You’ll learn what supplies are needed, how to prepare and dry the ammo, and important safety considerations when using homemade gel beads. With the right techniques and materials, you can create fun custom ammo for a fraction of the cost of buying premade ammo.

By following the methodology outlined here, you’ll discover everything you need to know to make cheap, high-quality Orbeez gun ammo yourself. The in-depth information will help you get the most out of your blaster while saving money. Read on to learn how to turn affordable materials into custom ammunition that provides all the excitement of standard ammo.

Step 1: Purchase Orbeez Beads or Superabsorbent Polymer

The first step in making your own Orbeez ammo is obtaining the water-absorbing beads. You have two main options:

Buy manufactured Orbeez beads – These ready-made hydrogel beads are available on Amazon, Walmart, or specialty retailers. Orbeez come in various sizes and colors, allowing you to create customized ammo.

Make your own beads – You can create DIY Orbeez using superabsorbent polymers (SAP). These water-absorbing crystals are inexpensive and can be purchased from many online retailers. Simply mix the SAP with water to create expandable gel beads.

When buying premade Orbeez, carefully check the package instructions. Some varieties may not be suitable for use in gel blasters. Making your own DIY ammo allows you to control the size and water absorption to customize your beads.

Step 2: Soak the Beads in Water

Once you have your beads, it’s time to expand them with water. This hydration process causes the Orbeez or SAP crystals to swell up exponentially.

Use a large container – The beads will expand to many times their original size, so select a bowl, bucket, or basin with ample headroom. Allow at least 4-5x the volume of your dry beads.

Add water – Pour in enough water to fully submerge and soak the beads. They will rapidly begin absorbing the liquid.

Let soak – Leave the beads soaking for at least 4-8 hours. The water absorption will cause them to expand into bouncy, hydrogel spheres.

Check size – Monitor the bead size and texture. Remove them from the water once they have expanded to the desired diameter. Caution – they will continue to expand out of water.

Expanded Orbeez or SAP beads can range from small pearls to large marbles. Larger beads around 0.4-0.7 inches work best for gel blaster ammunition.

Step 3: Drain Excess Water

After the beads have reached full size, carefully drain away any excess water:

• Pour off excess water from the container into a sink.
• Place a strainer or colander over another bowl.
• Scoop the soaked beads into the strainer so remaining water can drip off.
• Avoid squeezing the beads, which can force out interior water.
• Allow all excess exterior water to fully strain from the hydrogel beads.

Proper draining ensures your finished Orbeez ammo has the right moisture content. The beads should be hydrated but not dripping wet.

Step 4: Allow Beads to Dry

Next, dry the water-filled beads to prepare them for use as ammo:

• Spread the drained beads in a single layer on towels, paper, or trays.
• Allow them to air dry completely which may take 8-12 hours. Drying time depends on humidity, ventilation, and bead size.
• Resist the urge to speed drying with heat sources. Excess temperatures can melt or deform beads.
• The beads are ready when they feel solid, with no exterior stickiness or moisture.
• Pour the dried beads into an airtight container for storage.

Proper drying is crucial so ammunition feeds smoothly in your blaster. Wet beads can jam the gun or unevenly fire.

Step 5: Load Ammo into Your Gel Blaster

Once your homemade ammo is prepped, it’s time for the fun part – loading it into your gel blaster!

• Start by reading your blaster’s manual to understand ammo requirements and capacities.
• Pour the dry beads into the ammo hopper up to the fill line.
• Avoid overloading, which can cause jams.
• Test fire into a safe backstop until satisfied with performance.
• Make adjustments to achieve optimal range and accuracy.

With quality homemade ammunition, you can blast away for hours of affordable entertainment!

Safety Tips When Using DIY Gel Blaster Ammo

While making your own ammunition can save money, it’s critical to keep safety in mind:

• Follow any age guidance and safety rules for your particular Orbeez blaster model.
• Wear eye protection to avoid accidental eye injuries. Stray beads can be painful.
• Do not intentionally shoot at people, animals, or fragile objects. Ammo can cause minor property damage.
• Avoid firing at surfaces that could make beads slippery and cause falls.
• Supervise children and prevent ammo misuse.
• Do not eat hydrated beads as they pose a choking hazard.

Using common sense and following basic safety practices ensures you’ll have trouble-free fun with your homemade ammo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any type of Orbeez beads work in a gel blaster?

No, some varieties of Orbeez are too small or too dense to function properly as ammo. Carefully check labels and descriptions before purchasing premade Orbeez. DIY beads made from superabsorbent polymer allow you to better control size and expansion.

How much does it cost to make your own ammo?

Homemade ammo can be created for around $5-10 per 5,000 beads, compared to $15-25 for premade ammo. Bulk superabsorbent polymer costs just a few cents per gram. With some supplies and time, you can make many rounds of affordable custom ammunition.

How long does homemade ammo last?

With proper storage, dried Orbeez or SAP beads can be kept up to a year for reuse. Keep unused ammo in an airtight plastic bin or container. Avoid humidity, heat, prolonged sun exposure, or conditions that may degrade the beads over time.

Can you reuse homemade ammo?

Absolutely! One of the advantages of DIY gel blaster ammo is that it’s completely reusable. Simply re-hydrate dried out beads to plump them up for another round of firing. Take care not to oversaturate reused ammo which can affect performance.

Is making your own ammo difficult?

Not at all! The process involves soaking, draining, and drying beads – something both kids and adults can easily handle. No special skills are required. The most important steps are allowing ample hydration and drying times for the beads to achieve proper consistency.

The Benefits of Homemade Gel Blaster Ammo

Creating your own Orbeez or superabsorbent polymer ammo offers many benefits:

Saves money – Homemade costs a fraction of commercial ammo. Making your own allows more affordable, regular use.

Customization – Tailor bead size, expansion, colors, and more. DIY provides options lacking in off-the-shelf ammo.

Reusable – Orbeez beads can be rehydrated and reused through multiple cycles. Less waste than disposable cartridges.

Easy to make – Simple process with easy-to-find ingredients. Fun weekend project for the whole family.

Extends play – Make lots of ammo so the blasting lasts longer! Prolong the excitement and action.

With a small investment of time and materials, you can make ammunition tailored to your blaster and keep enjoyment high while costs stay low.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own custom Orbeez gun ammo allows you to save money over premade ammo while getting the most enjoyment from your blaster. Following the steps here to make, dry, and load DIY gel beads gives results comparable to commercial ammo. Just be sure to focus on safety and proper supervision when firing any blaster.

The satisfaction of home-crafted ammunition is huge for Orbeez enthusiasts. Not only do you save with bulk quantities, you can reuse your ammo again and again. Your customized beads also give you more control over performance factors like firing consistency, distance, and impact.

While manufacturers may promise the most innovative Orbeez ammo, you can achieve great outcomes with common household materials. Part science experiment, part arts and crafts project, making your own water beads is an engaging, rewarding experience. With a DIY approach, you can enjoy summer good times while avoiding high costs. Get ready for the thrill of blasting your own homemade Orbeez ammo