Big Bertha Air Cannon

Show us your pneumatic spud gun! Discuss pneumatic (compressed gas) powered potato guns and related accessories. Valve types, actuation, pipe, materials, fittings, compressors, safety, gas choices, and more.
User avatar
Lentamentalisk
Sergeant 3
Sergeant 3
Posts: 1202
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:27 pm
Location: Berkeley C.A.

Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:22 pm

@potatoflinger:
A triggered burst disk would be terrible for this. The entire reason for him using the sprinkler valves is that they open slowly enough, and he can time them, so as to have a gradual increase in pressure, to not rupture the balloon. A burst disk cannon would obliterate a balloon... The real increase would come from more timed valves, or a much longer barrel.
Do not look back, and grieve over the past, for it is gone;
Do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come;
Live life in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.
User avatar
pizlo
Corporal 3
Corporal 3
Posts: 783
Joined: Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:27 pm
Contact:

Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:23 pm

bluerussetboy wrote:short and thick does the trick :D
GAGHH why did you put that image in my mind!
damn you! you chodechomper!
ericthepoolboy
Private
Private
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:00 pm

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:04 pm

The tank is so huge because I got it for free on craigslist, and he who has the biggest wins ;). As for all the valves, what do you guys mean my modding them?

The barrel is the length it is because of the ease of transporting it. I have another 20' section of 4" PVC that will attach to the end of the existing barrel. The barrel can also be changed out for a different size since it is threaded into the manifold using a 2.5" male adapter.

As for moving this thing, the original plan was to make it a tow behind with a hitch and everything but that would have required highway rated tire and it just wasn't worth it. The day that we had to move it I loaded it up in my lifted truck and headed down the freeway. The amount of heads we turned was ridiculous.

And I love the comments guys. If you guys have any more idea for improvement i would love to hear them.
User avatar
MrCrowley
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10078
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Been thanked: 3 times

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:18 pm

This is a guide on <A HREF="http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/modding ... modding</a> a sprinkler valve.

When you don't need it to shoot water balloons anymore and you want performance, then you could stick a far better valve on it, like a piston or burst disk valve. And you would only need one valve if it's big enough, not 6 :wink:
User avatar
potatoflinger
Sergeant 2
Sergeant 2
Posts: 1136
Joined: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:26 pm
Location: Maryland

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:51 pm

Lentamentalisk wrote:@potatoflinger:
A triggered burst disk would be terrible for this. The entire reason for him using the sprinkler valves is that they open slowly enough, and he can time them, so as to have a gradual increase in pressure, to not rupture the balloon. A burst disk cannon would obliterate a balloon... The real increase would come from more timed valves, or a much longer barrel.
I meant after the contest was over and he wasn't launching water balloons any more.
It's hard to soar with eagles when you're working with turkeys.
User avatar
jr
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 162
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:24 pm
Location: brem. wa.
Contact:

Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:55 pm

erick you have no clue what kind of monster you have built....... with that much air you could do all kinds of mass destruction. Modd your valves... you'll be glad you did! :twisted:


All in all that is one awsome cannon. And I am verrrry jealous!!!!!!
User avatar
Eddbot
Specialist 4
Specialist 4
Posts: 434
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:08 pm

Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:32 am

that thing is like a piece of artillery, very nice :)
:edfirst:
User avatar
kablooie
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 188
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:21 pm

Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:47 am

Wow, that cannon is BEASTLY. Very professional, with a longer barrel it would be even more insane, although the problem of where to shoot can be a big one. I have the same problem (on a smaller scale). What happens if you get pulled over with that in the back? lol.
ericthepoolboy
Private
Private
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Mar 01, 2008 7:00 pm

Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:04 am

Getting pulled over while transporting it was one of my biggest fears so we tarped it and took the barrel off the first time but decided to just show it off to the world the second time. I still wonder what a cop would say if I was to get pulled over with that in the back of the truck and the barrel sticking out 5' from the end of my bed.
User avatar
Thursto
Specialist 3
Specialist 3
Posts: 389
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:11 am
Location: Australia, SA, Adeliade, Para Hills

Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:34 am

WOW very nice indeed!!!

i like the looks of all the valves, you should have it the whole way down the tank :twisted: like 6-7 valves on each side :twisted: :D so you'd have 12-14 valves :evil2:

that would be totaly INSANE!

but the way it is now its just INSANLEY MASSIVE!!!!

i really like this thing!!

great paintjob and control box adds a great touch(s)

power would signifacanty increase if you had a longer barrel. But with a piston :S i dont know, i've never heard of a 6" pressure rated piston.

~ Thurston

PS. DAMAGE PICS/VIDS!!!!
~ AUSSIE LAND ~
Image
User avatar
frankrede
Sergeant Major 2
Sergeant Major 2
Posts: 3220
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:47 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time

Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:39 pm

This cannon could be easily modified for better performance valve wise, while still retaining electronic ignition.
You would have to mod the valves and use 1/2" or 3/4" sprinkler valves as pilots and use the solenoids on those valves for your electronics.
Current project: Afghanistan deployment
ispudder
Private
Private
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2007 3:15 pm
Location: North Carolina

Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:55 am

which button is the FIRE button? :D
SuddeN DeatH
User avatar
MaxuS the 2nd
Corporal 2
Corporal 2
Posts: 674
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:59 pm

Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:05 pm

Did you read the original post?

There are 6 individual buttons, he can either press individual ones at a time, or as imagine..He can set it to fire all at the same time.
Post Reply