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First simple Cannon

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:23 pm
by TollBooth
Alright, i used the plans found on this site, for simple cannon. I only changed a few parts. Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed.

3' chamber 15"
54" of 1 1/2' for the barrel
changeable barrel concept
Internal ignition via modified kitchen lighter
Internal computer fan. runs off six AA batteries with on/off switch

Whole cannon put together
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Chamber
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Taken part
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:29 pm
by mark.f
Very nice!

I like the little igniter/battery cover you cut out of pipe there. A good touch.

How come you didn't make the barrel breech loading? It would have been easy to do with that 2" adapter.

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:37 pm
by TollBooth
That would have been a good idea, i had not thought of doing so. i have only launched one spud out of her so far. ran into trouble after the first shot. but since then i have shot many socks as a test subject out. She works well with hair spray, having trouble getting car starter fluid to light inside her.

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:53 pm
by mark.f
It's probably because you're using a tad too much. With starter fluid, a quick little tap on the aerosol valve is enough in larger chambers than this. For that chamber, I would try a quick shot, like mentioned before, and then blow a little air into the chamber. A little experimentation should get it working...

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:06 pm
by TollBooth
i have tried experimenting with the starter fluid only a hand full of times, has only worked once or twice. i will try various amounts and blow in the chamber and turn the fan on, and no boom :( But eh maybe one of these days i will find the right mixture.

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:02 pm
by trigun
Well from what I've seen the only thing I would do is add a propane meter and this gun will last forever minus battery changes.

Is the male adapter on the back for easier turning and venting than an end cap ? If so thats a really good idea and is even capable of being modified to become a latke style vent.

Nice cannon especially for a first.

Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:13 pm
by starman
Nice, neat little cannon there. The chamber reminds me a little of a light saber handle...I do realize it's not the same scale though... :wink:

Good job!

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:00 am
by mark.f
trigun wrote:Well from what I've seen the only thing I would do is add a propane meter and this gun will last forever minus battery changes.

Is the male adapter on the back for easier turning and venting than an end cap ? If so thats a really good idea and is even capable of being modified to become a latke style vent.

Nice cannon especially for a first.
I've used the idea before. The male adapter has more threads than a normal cleanout plug, so it actually takes a little longer to install and remove tightly, but it does add the additional benefit of safety, being made of (probably) pressure rated components.

The only thing I didn't really like about it was that you had to vent the space in the cap manually when you removed it. Unless you installed a separate fan and vent in it. :roll: You could also fill it with AB foam, as well...

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:23 pm
by TollBooth
The end i was using was a basic 3" cap. had a bad experience with that, along with having a thread problems. so i re thought my options, and doing so i used a 3" male adapter, bushing down to a 1/2 size plug. i did this to allow a more permanent back end. Since i do all the fueling and loading from the front. i use the small plug when venting after shots.

Pictures to help explain, my madness.

All together
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Taken part
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Even more apart
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Back together how it stays, only with 1/2 plug out for venting.
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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:23 pm
by trigun
O I guess that would make it easier wouldn't it. Even though it will probaly take a bit more time to vent with a fan.

You did push that 4"-2" reducer all the way in right it looks like it might stick out a little bit.

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:25 pm
by TollBooth
Yes, it is pushed in all the way, it was extraordinary long.... can you explain the set-up you thought i had? please.

Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:30 pm
by trigun
I thought you had the 4" male adapter and inside of that was a 4-2 reducer and a plug to cover that hole then you simply unscrewed the male adapter to vent.

On a side note you could build this Image

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