My Civil War Cannon

[miskaman]

Finally, I finished my second cannon. The first one was a piece of crap and broke. So instead of going for just a simple gun last time, this time I got a cannon. Almost a civil war era cannon I think.

Started out with just a simple combustion back in like June or something. Didn't really do much to it until the begging of August. And it was all on a wicked awesome stand. The gun itself is still the simplest gun ever, but I think it looks cooler now. Performance isn't really what I go for, just whatever is cool. Plus I have a really small budget (budget is mainly towards video games, my go-kart, and hovercraft) so I can't build anything better than a combustion.





The stand for awhile was being retarded because I couldn't get the (bicycle) wheels to stay on. Finally, got a different way for mounting the wheels a couple weeks later (ya, along time, I know. I forgot I even had the dumb thing). Then finally went and got some dark outdoor stain and some flat black spray paint. Ta-da, all done! Now about 3 weeks later I'm finally posting about it.


Cannon specs:
BBQ igniter (JB welded in. I don't know of anything better to keep in place, so if you know, tell me please)
5 foot long, 2 inch wide barrel
1 foot long, 4 inche wide chamber
alot of 2x4's for stand
2 U clamps to hold my ram rod
a spot on the stand for a can of hairspray

I think I can launch a potato about 300 yard max. I'm not really good at judging distances.

BTW, these pictures are kind of old. I've done some touch up paint jobs already and also painted the rims on the tires. I'll post some newer pictures at a later date.

[HaiThar]

Very nice! I love it! Reminds me of those cannons they put in the ol' history books. The only thing I can think of to do would be to see if you can get or make some old style wheels.

Have you tried launching it on the stand? does the recoil make it fly back?

[miskaman]

Very nice! I love it! Reminds me of those cannons they put in the ol' history books. The only thing I can think of to do would be to see if you can get or make some old style wheels.

Have you tried launching it on the stand? does the recoil make it fly back?

Ya, old style wheels are expensive. If I had the money I'd do it.

Recoil isn't actually too bad. Kicks back maybe half a foot or so? Do you see where the chamber is being held up by? I slide the gun forward on the stand so the piece of wood is touching the back coupling. When I shot it, it slid almost up to the front coupling (where it is in the picture).

[Redcoat]

For a cannon like this I would love to see a video.

It's very nice, The Aerosol can holder adds a nice touch. Yuo should try and rig a small metal cup to it and have it as a gunpowder tray and have it electronically rigged to when you ignite the fuel in the chamber so it gives a nice "Boom!" effect.
I know next to nothing about electronics so, I don't know if it's possible, I'm sure it is.
Many happy launchings with your cannon, I slightly envy you. It looks awesome.

Happy SPuddin'

[hi]

if i had that then i would put a hitch on it and tow it around with my bike.

the cannon is very basic, but the wheels make it so cool.

[dauphinoise potato]

Those wheels really add something to a really basic combustion launcher. I'm sure a propane metering system could be hidden rather efectively in the mount somewhere or other.

[CannonBall]

300 yards .... nehhhh your not gonna make it with that cannon...
But nice cannon anyway 8)

[utz]

Good job..I like it!

[thespeedycicada]

you should have put the bbq ignitor where the ignition port normally goes on a cannon of that type,stained the wood,gave it a rustic metallic paint job,and made a hidden propane metering system and we would have a winner! But anyway awsome gun i like it alot!

[Hubb]

I would agreed with the Cicada. Upgrades are always nice, especially for a simple beauty like this.

If you want, you could remount the piezoigniter. Run it from wires and hold the igniter in your hand, kind of like a remote ignition. That would give it a more cannon-like appeal.

Anyway, nice job and looking forward to seeing more work from you.

[miskaman]

you should have put the bbq ignitor where the ignition port normally goes on a cannon of that type,stained the wood,gave it a rustic metallic paint job,and made a hidden propane metering system and we would have a winner! But anyway awsome gun i like it alot!

Actually if you look, stand if 90% stained.

Also, where is the ignition port on a cannon? I thought it was on the back where I have it.

[Pilgrimman]

I have HEARD (I haven't seen evidence, but I don't doubt it) that it is unsafe to mount the ignitor on the back, as it makes the cap weaker, and therefore likely to blow off. It'd be best to mount it in the female adapter because the PVC is double the thickness, and therefore less likely to fail.

[dapallox1]

Beautiful! I'm not a big fan of combustions, but this is very creative. You should make it a "high-tech" civil war cannon by adding propane injection!

[thespeedycicada]

If you look at a civil war howitzer the port is at the rear of the cc on the top.And by stain i meant a sanded and shiny good quality dark oil based stain to get that rustic look.

[foothead]

It would be really cool if you made it breech loading.

BTW- what fuel does it use to get 300 yds? mine only gets like 125 at the most