SpudFiles

Hi all.

Currently I am building a new pneumatic launcher.
The valve i'm gonna use is a 2" selfmade piston valve.
Some more specs of the cannon.

airchamber: 2 1/2" 50cm galvanized pipe
barrel: 75mm pvc PN16 1m long
valve: 2" piston valve with 5/4" seat
piloting valve: 3/4" ballvalve

A week ago I ordered all the needed fittings and pipes.
Everything is made out steel except the barrel and the piston itself.
There will be also some copper involved in this cannon.

The endcap and 2,5" to 2" reducer is welded on the pipe. Don't ask me why :p i had the time for it. :p

All the threads are sealed with thread sealant that holds up to 17bars.
Good to mention is that I will never go that high.

Now, the real work.

The most important fittings screwed together.




the piston, in fact its the same one that I use in my pvc tennisballcanon, I just remaked that one


view inside the 2" t is a 5/4" seat


the whole cannon in primer, except the piloting area, this will be something special, in fact the method I will be using will decrease the piloting performance, the pilot volume will be a little bit to much, but I don't care, it works like a charm


first layer of glossy black


some copper pipes and fitting soldered together, more info about it later this week
good to mention is the following, i sanded the copper pipes after soldering and gived it 2 layer of varnish. So the copper wont "eroded", don't know the exact word



I fully tested the cannon with this type of piloting, it has some serious power. My first opinion is that it has more power than my pvc model, because I gave the piston less room inside the nipple. It has a tighter fit.
Maybe that's the reason, but I'm not sure yet. It will discover it when fully testing in the Arden woods.

More pics and vids in this week. The cannon will be fully operational this friday, because saturday I go on vacation in Wallonië and will fully tested this cannon on the open fields with tennisballs. And this time I will hold my Iphone on the correct angle.

Airpress

on the very first pictures, whats all that white build up?

Looks like bubble gum, might wanna try teflon tape it works alot better!

Hihi bubblegum.

No it's polyester putty, it comes very hard and is for smootening the edges of the fitting with the pipe.

the barrel

Some movement is this build.

Here's the cannon mounted with the piloting area. I know it's a big volume but i works great.


some other pics









Piloting area









On som way I wanted to get my nickname on my cannon. Here's what I did.




My next plan is to paint the barrel in fire red. The same color as the handle from the ball valve.
Good idea or not?

Something else to mention. The cannon has no leaks. I got my cannon pressurized with the maximun bars (10bar) i'm planning to use into a large tank with water. :blob5: no bubbles :blob5:

Shame about the enormous pilot volume but hey, as long as it works let's see some damage!

Barrel painted in the same red as the valve handle.
I gave it 3 layers.

Another cannon well made. You do a great job with all your cannons....

Very impressive, as always! It'll be interesting to see what kind of damage it can do.

Nice cannon, aesthetically pleasing and clean build.. I like the 2.5" chamber too !

Thanx for the reactions!
Here some pics with the barrel connected.

Looks even better now great job airpress !

Very clean, looks great!

Where did you find 2.5" pipe? Lowes and Home Depot only carry whole inch diameters for greater than 1.5".

Awesome! Professional quality. Nice soldering.

cows, I'm thinking air press isn't in the US. Try looking in the electrical section. I've seen 2.5" fittings and pipe. If not try calling your plumbing stores.

Thanx!

I found the 2,5" pipe on a online pipe/fittings store.
I'm from belgium and ordered the pipe and fittings from the netherlands.
Thats where I ordered all my fittings/pipes for cannons because its cheaper than in belgium.