SpudFiles

Hey guys, been a while since I posted. Its not that I haven't been building any cannons, just they were all a) unimpressive, b) didn't function properly, or (most likely) c) both. This is the second incarnation of the "Uber Tuber" I posted about a year or so ago. I deemed it unsafe after you guys set me straight about DWV, so I tore it down and reused a few parts to make this one. Spec-wise:
-2" diameter chamber, 36" long
-1" diameter barrel, ~53" long
-Modified sprinkler valve actuated by a modified blow gun
-A schrader valve to fill it and a pressure guage to keep me in the know
-And a nice coat of olive drab
And that's pretty much it. Pretty simple as far as pneumatics go, just wanted to keep it clean. And the pics (notice my mascot, Mick the moose, on the work bench) :





The second tube attached to the barrel is storage for the ram rod. Its just a length of 1/2" PVC with a threaded coupler on one end. The ram rod has a threaded plug attached to it so you can insert the rod and lock it in place. I know a breach loading system would be more convenient, but in the spirit of simplicity, this suffices.



And lastly, some damage shots. Just a few things laying about the garage.
First shot: scrap chunk of 3/4" poplar, about 60 psi, 1" dowel as ammo
Second shot: A broken laptop screen at about 80 psi, 1" dowel as ammo. The shot actually went through the screen, through the box(which was filled with styrofoam), and left a dent in the bottom of my poker table.
Third & Fourth Shot: A chunk of scrap 2x4, about 80 psi, old screwdriver as ammo.
Fifth shot: My favorite, an old phone book at about 90 psi, 1" inch dowel as ammo. Actually took a nice little core out of the book, you can see the little circles floating around right after the shot. Wasn't expecting that...

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Anyway, hope you enjoy it. Looking forward to your comments.

Added 4/11/08

More destruction. This isn't actually the same cannon. This is one I built for a friend but its nearly identical, so I deemed it unnecessary to start a new topic. Anyway, just a short, destructive little video...enjoy...

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Nicely done and brilliant damage videos, particularly the screwdriver embedded in the plank

My only complaint would be the length of hose as usual, but if it's more comfortable for you like that, who am I to object. Also, I'm sure the construction can take pressures in the 120 psi region

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:Nicely done and brilliant damage videos, particularly the screwdriver embedded in the plank

Thanks. That second shot at the 2x4 actually glanced off and bent the screwdriver, making it unusable. Probably best...it had a tendancy to richoche. I didn't want to get perforated.

My only complaint would be the length of hose as usual, but if it's more comfortable for you like that, who am I to object. Also, I'm sure the construction can take pressures in the 120 psi region

The blowgun was originally located elsewhere making the hose necessary, but I moved it and plan to shorten the hose. I kept the pressure sub 100 because I was forced to "play" inside (yard's not fenced in, cop lives across the street, bad things). Didn't want to send a screwdriver into the living room.

Understandable, I'm aware of the potential mishaps that result from indoor testing

This UBER thing is wery cool but I dont think that you need that PVC tube were you plug your ram rod . . . But hey UBER thing is great

wow nice gun mate

i like your first shot where some flying wood shrapnel imbeded into the box!

my only suggestion is flip the valve 180 degrees and have a 90 degree brass hose elbow to have a shorter pilot hose.

Carlman wrote:wow nice gun mate

i like your first shot where some flying wood shrapnel imbeded into the box!

my only suggestion is flip the valve 180 degrees and have a 90 degree brass hose elbow to have a shorter pilot hose.

Thanks, I like that idea. I happen to have such a fitting laying about...just might try that.

Excellent phonebook hole punch!!! Simple and sleek, well laid out and proportioned.... powerful little grunt it is. Paint job and detail is top notch. Ramrod storage is cool...

I'm with JSR, either shorten the hose or better, hard pipe the pilot from the blowgun to the modded valve, tight and close to your barrel. Will give it a tough built-on look.

Overall very nice gun!! Dropping this one in my "spudgun examples" bookmarks.

cornflake_81 wrote:Didn't want to send a screwdriver into the living room.

Good plan!!

Ahh Deutsch Sprechen!

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:Nicely done and brilliant damage videos, particularly the screwdriver embedded in the plank

My only complaint would be the length of hose as usual, but if it's more comfortable for you like that, who am I to object. Also, I'm sure the construction can take pressures in the 120 psi region

It's a difficult situation, regarding pilot volume vs. ergonomics. I try so hard to balance the two factors out, but depending on the launcher's design, only so much can be done.

Anyway, I also personally like the third shot, where the screwdriver just sticks in the 2x4.

Overall very nice gun!! Dropping this one in my "spudgun examples" bookmarks.

Thanks...honored, for sure. 8)

Ahh Deutsch Sprechen!

Nah, sprechen pneumatisch.

Anyway, I also personally like the third shot, where the screwdriver just sticks in the 2x4.

Really itching to get this thing outside to really open it up. I've been eying some 1" ball bearings....those should put quite a hole in something.

Sprechen Pneumatisch?
Kartoffel Pneumatisch Sprechen:)

Hey guys, added a new video to the first post.