My first air cannon

kotabuuki1 · Fri Dec 04, 2009 9:56 pm

this is my first air cannon that I have made. I have had it for about 4 months but just recently found this site, so i figured I'd post up some pictures.

the chamber is 15in long and 3in diameter. The barrel is 30 inches long with and 1 1/2in diameter. resulting in a 2:1 chamber:barrel ratio.

the psi it run it at anywhere from 120-140psi
I do not know what the full distance potential is because I do not have aerodynamic projectiles and no way to measure the distance it fires.

the projectiles I use are usually made of ice. I do this by gathering up slushy snow, putting it in a length of 1 1/2 pvc and then put a 1 liter mountain dew cap (which conveniently is the perfect size to fit snugly) inside the pvc on top of the snow use a ramrod and hammer to compact the snow as tightly as possible, then I remove the almost solid ice core and place it in the freezer, wait about 5 min and tada projectile that leaves no liter, or trace, so I don't have to go around picking up after myself.

additionally I have several other barrels as seen below.

Anyways if you read this far thanks for sticking around I know I can be long winded at times. and if you have suggestions for how to improve it i would appreciate it, at the moment im thinking about a sprinkler valve and piston valve setup. thanks

<a href="http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab31 ... 0958-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab31 ... 0958-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab31 ... CN0948.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab31 ... CN0948.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

bradisfun · Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:04 pm

well i think that it's great for a first gun and think that u should put a sprinkler on it

kotabuuki1 · Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:09 pm

yea, I've been wanting one, but I just haven't gotten around to getting one, plus all of my barrel threads are 1 1/4 and all the places around here only carry 1" valves.

btrettel · Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:40 pm

Nice start. A better valve would be a better start but...

I'd like to warn you that this is closer to a shrapnel weapon than a spud gun. Many of your fittings are not pressure rated. You'll find this page very useful for future projects: http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... _Rated_PVC

kotabuuki1 · Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:59 pm

ok, well that is very helpful and unnerving at the same time.. well, it hasn't given me any problems as of yet but i will definitely pay attention to ratings and such for my next creation. thanks you may have just saved me from being a victim of shrapnel.