SpudFiles

Sorry if this is in the wrong spot (I already had a look at the spud Wiki btw).
I already have a 2" Combustion cannon. I'm a Pneumatic "Pneub" but would like to make one. If I pretty much followed these plans, will I have good results?

Also, how easy is it to use a sprinkler valve vs a ball valve (obviously a sprinkler v. gives better results but how hard is it to modify).
Basically I just want to make a decent beginner cannon that is simple and as cheap as possible.

Thanks!

your diagram looks great so far. the only problem is the 4-2 reducer. you need to use a coupler and reduce bushing. modding a sprinkler valve is easy. just drill a hole in the top and tap a 1/4 nipple in.

the cannon will work. i suggest a bushing rather than a bell reducer because they are stronger.

modding a sprinkler valve is very very easy. you literally just drill a hole and screw in a blow gun. there are not tricks or thrills, its that simple. just be sure to plug any holes with epoxy.

make sure everytime is pressure rated...

your diagram looks great so far

ha...I actually just found that image in the Album on this site
Could anyone link me to instructions on modifying a sprinkler valve?

So far I thing it would go:

Schrader Valve > Encap > Chamber > Some sort of reducer > Sprinkler Valve > Barrel

Sound about right?
Thanks everyone

yup. basic pneumatics are a no-brainer. just make sure you use pressure rated parts and primer/cement .

Ok.
I just found this vid on modifying the valve:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PKVyzV0aGU
Looks pretty easy.

One more question, what is a good barrel/chamber ratio for acceptable power, and how much power should be expected if using a hand-pump tire pump?

For a pneumatic a .6-.8 to 1 is a perfect ratio but 1:1 is also good. With a hand pump it just depends how much pressure your pump holds and how tired you want to get. Most basic bike pumps will hold 90Psi reasonably. Youd get pretty good power especially with that huge chamber!

If you plan on using standard compressor pressures, .2:1 is a good ratio to aim for if you have a fixed chamber size. Very efficient, and you can therefore get as much power as possible out of a given chamber size.

You really should download GGDT so that you don't have to ask us these questions.

DYI wrote:...You really should download GGDT so that you don't have to ask us these questions.

Not trying to steal the thread, but has GGDT got back online yet from the site? I haven't checked but a while back, it was not available. If not, I have uploaded it with RapidShare and can give a copy if needed.

2:1 ratio...meaning that if I had a 4" wide chamber and a 2" wide barrel, the barrel would have to be a quarter as long as the chamber?

A given length of 4" pipe has 4 times the volume as the same length of 2" pipe. For a 2:1 ratio you would need a barrel twice the length of the chamber. For a .2:1 ratio, you would need a pipe 20x the length of the chamber.

And I didn't write 2:1 ratio, I wrote .2:1 (as in 0.2:1)

Like others have said, definitely go with the sprinkler valve instead of the ball valve.

You don't have to mod the sprinkler valve right away. Fire the gun a few times with the solenoid. When you get the time and parts you can add the blowgun trigger later.

You might as well leave the solenoid trigger valve in place. It really doesn't affect the gun's performance and you can still use it if you move the valve to another gun.

That is one of the nice things about sprinkler valves, they are usually threaded parts so they can be swapped from gun to gun. Most ball valves are solvent welded in place so it is not usually practical to move the valve from gun to gun.