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My first pnuematic cannon

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:45 pm
by pvcmaster
Hi- im new to this site, and it has helped me a lot with my design.
I used a simple design for my cannon, because i did not know very much about it, and i improved upon it later.

2" chamber
Old bike inner tube valve
Orbit Watermaster 1" sprinkler valve (modified)
1 1/2" barrel
200 psi tubing
blowgun valve

I have a lot of fun with this cannon, and i appreciate how much easier and quieter the sprinkler valve is than the 1" ball valve I used to have on there (I opened it with my foot).

All pipe and fittings are Sch 40 and nsf-pw rated.
The black tape on the chamber is to cover up some gunk, but i think it looks pretty cool
I usually fire around 100 psi
I know the hosing is a bit too long, but i like it that way, and i cant see it making much of a difference

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:48 pm
by pyromaniac
Nice first pnuematic. I love how you did reserch. You used al presure parts primer and cemented, and used a moded sprinkler.

great first gun.

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:36 pm
by pvcmaster
Thanks- I like to research before I start something.

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:42 pm
by locksmith
Looks great.may want to try mounting the blow gun direct to valve to see if it gives it a more umf.

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 3:43 am
by simo
well done u should pump it to about 150PSI it makes a lot of difference

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 4:28 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
I know the hosing is a bit too long, but i like it that way, and i cant see it making much of a difference
it would be interesting to mount the blowgun directly to the sprinkler and measure the difference.

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:47 am
by joannaardway
As others have noted, then a shorter blowgun hose could help.
At the very least, running it more directly, rather than looping it around the chamber would be an improvement.

But other than that slight niggle, for a first pneumatic, it is very good. All proper parts, modded sprinkler, etc...

Lovely.

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:43 am
by jrrdw
pvcmaster wrote:Thanks- I like to research before I start something.
My hero!!!!!!!!

Nice cannon, what? no damage pics??? Video's are even better! Great 1st.

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:20 pm
by pvcmaster
simo wrote:well done u should pump it to about 150PSI it makes a lot of difference
Can i go that high? People say that these sprinkler valves are rated only for 150 psi, and 100 suits me fine.

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:26 pm
by Velocity
100 PSI is a perfect limit... its very powerful, yet relatively safe for PVC spudguns. Going above that limit... it could fail.

Oh, almost forgot, nice cannon!

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:29 pm
by joannaardway
pvcmaster wrote:
simo wrote:well done u should pump it to about 150PSI it makes a lot of difference
Can i go that high? People say that these sprinkler valves are rated only for 150 psi, and 100 suits me fine.
You could go that high (I probably would in your situation), but it's your own choice in the end.

For a compromise, 120 psi would allow a bit more power, and it would still be perfectly safe. In fact, most people use 120-125 psi for cannons like yours. So, more pressure is fine.

Going to 150 is one thing, but I wouldn't go past 150 with that however - you have to draw a line somewhere.

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:33 pm
by iknowmy3tables
well you did everything very nicely with all rated fittings so sure I'd trust it too 200psi but thats not very safe so 150psi is good,
that hose is ridiculously long are you firing it from that far away

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:13 pm
by pvcmaster
No, the hose was 20 ft long, i cut it down. I guess it is still too long, dont worry ill shorten it.

Also, I was wondering how some of you guys pump your cannons. Im getting really tired of using a bike pump!

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 11:22 am
by mega_swordman
Using a cheap air compressor for bikes work really well. There are plenty of alternatives for fueling out there, but the only really reasonable, and the cheapest, would be simply the electric air compressor. You should be able to find one in bike shops or stores like Target.

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:05 pm
by theRIAA
I go to 125psi with my sprinkler gun, the sprinkler leaks on me at 150ish so I feel pretty safe