Systm Builds a Cannon
Monday, March 10th, 2008 running time 28:59
There's nothing wrong with potato guns... we love sparking up Right Guard as much as the next geek. But compressed air, now that makes for a seriously fun cannon.
We've been asked several times about building spud guns on Systm. Whether you call 'em spud guns, potato cannons, combustible (or pneumatic) potato launchers... and whether you're shooting tubers, tennis balls or random bits and pieces found around the garage, they're fun. And easy to build.
We built a compressed air (or CO2!) powered cannon on this week's episode of Systm.
We chose pneumatic 'cause they're easier to load, faster to shoot, don't require an ignition systm (tho you can get into some serious mods for the sprinkler valves most folks use to control a cannon) and, frankly, figured building a tennis ball launcher would go over better with the wife than a Potato Mortar of Doom.
Plus, frankly, we're inspired by the cannons Joel Surprise has built at spudtech.com
BTW, if you're looking for a new career, is for sale, along with the spudtech.com URL, the tools to build rifled PVC spudgun barrels, and who knows what all else. The current owner, Joel Surprise, can no longer operate the Spudtech out of his home shop, and he's ready to move on. Bummer, since he's built some amazing cannons.
The heart of our tennis ball cannon is a 1 inch inline sprinkler valve that controls the air flow.
The barrel is 121 inches of 2.5 inch Schedule 40 PVC and the air tank is 6 inches of 3 inch Schedule 40 PVC... we had a second 24 x 2.5 inch barrel ready to go, along with a 12 inch x 3 inch tank, but operator error at the drill press (It rolled off) cracked it beyond repair.)
Using Schedule 40 or 80 PVC is critical. These types of pipe are pressure rated. If you don't see Schedule 40 or 80 and a pressure rating on a piece of pipe and the fittings you use to join them, -don't!!!- use it for this project. It could blow up! That would be bad.
Also, not waiting 24 hours after you glue the parts together is bad... the cement needs that long to set. (Did we mention don't blow stuff up?)
The C02 regulator we used to connect to our tank came from Lowes, it's their Kobalt Portable Compressed CO2 Regulator... it uses regular paintball tanks, and you'll want to buy a few on the cheap to take with you. Or an air compressor. Our 20 oz tank ran out in less than 20 shots! (Fortunately, we had an air compressor we could use, to a 20oz tank is a -lot- more portable!)
If you're thinking you'd rather build a combustible potato cannon, head straight to Build Your Own Launcher at the Joel Surprise's most excellent Spudgun Technology Center. It's the best set of directions we've seen anywhere on building a basic potato gun.
Wish we'd known about Spudfiles Spudfiles before we finished this project, they've got an excellent step by step on modding sprinkler valves for performance!
Got any links you think we should add in here? Email 'em to us: systm@revision3.com
Highlights
Guitar Hero
(
0:17, 0:17
)
public schools
(
1:28, 1:28
)
pays taxes
(
1:27, 1:27
)
Home Depot
(
20:53, 20:53
)
Guitar Hero
(
0:17, 0:17
)
public schools
(
1:28, 1:28
)
pays taxes
(
1:27, 1:27
)
Home Depot
(
20:53, 20:53
)
Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )
" Palin's account that -- yeah. Studio back in November and working and -- with the person and won't know. So your back I'm back from time to be a good thing he's David Randolph. In case you missed the spectacular. Automating Guitar Hero episode a couple of episodes ago I'm Patrick Norton who you've probably. Are eagerly typing as we speak now wondering where the notebook -- is what I'm holding here's the barrel to a potato -- and actually we're -- a tennis ball can of the tennis ball launcher to calm because it's easier -- while flying from here -- kids and because also a lot of fun to work with new Macs so. Who want to thank our sponsors is always Netflix. And GoDaddy. And -- won't need to find blended initiatives system starting now. So good old -- Potato cannon. It's. If you want to do the classic aerosol powered on whether it's for."
" I'm not right guard or. Aqua -- or. There are fervent debates online co pays taxes public schools -- I'm gonna see directly to web site called spy tech dot com. Mr. surprise. So well."
" To think -- as mister potato cannon has the best directions for building traditional classic basically you can and I've ever seen pulled it down. For -- but now. What were played around here is you've got a -- In this case we get what we're gonna do CO two already compressed air we have here is -- tank. Takes can hold our charge of compressed air. And the tanks going to go through a valve. And it makes in the house or it correctly the valves going to release the charge of air. In you when he's holding right there which of the barrel -- he's holding it for thirty seconds is sore BBC does a separate all were. Glue it together so we're gonna have a tank. A valve. Tennis -- above the barrel. It's gonna hold charge -- 120 asides about what going to max out at the valve is gonna release it. These -- charge of air and it's going to propel the tennis ball. Most logically make about. Through here. Probably my dog to run like mad excited. So we a couple of words of a playground what you're this one. Could be CO two powered to get to do this with compressed they're achievement because these really cool portable kids. That's the local. Hardware supply shop that allows users like regular people see that you charge. -- a nice little portable one we can run around with here to Skype sawed off shotgun and that's exactly you know business. Yeah that's what I would probably be a little -- with does this we're gonna blow through -- twenty counts see that you can probably pretty quickly. The measurements are pretty easy way for -- barrel twelve inch. Tank that the smaller ones we're working with today. Twelve inch barrel and a six inch tank. And that's the ratio usually half. -- you know I can talk about ratios. But I think it's more interesting actually do research online that some people gone -- states to be able gone as high as four or eight to one turning the ratio of the barrel. With with compressed air with little or no added effect is basically there's a certain amount of compressed air is gonna come through the protect those that come through the barrel when you're done. That is an interesting point talked about safety so the air tech looking at right here we haven't ruled that one yet the other one yet. But we've got us the release -- here is gonna go up about a 115 or twenty PSI. Tried really hard that's gonna pop open and let it out bits of the -- area so it."
" What's happening for the whole really safe for a 120 PSI. And anything else come up and down."
" The number one thing to remember whether it's potato cannon where you're shooting -- off with you know -- also he he he pyro -- everyone -- him -- motivational advice. Or dramatic he's using schedule forty your schedule any -- it's gonna get your PSI -- There's a lot stuff like core it was like -- pipe or or even number of flavors of -- you know its its its gotta be OK it looks like that white stuff. Data held up what are the scheduled forty you have PSI reading what's going to be anywhere from like a hundred need -- 6450 PSI. Do not use it especially the core stuff the foam -- stuff. Will explode in a bad way imperious feel -- I can use. AB yes. Everybody I -- says he's PVC. Schedule forty or schedule eighty with he breeding that's critical."
" And not just talk 1050 feet any point of telling where problems -- should -- schedule forty on the site. Going consistently. Right and top ST 84. Yeah. So kind of look for that and authorities scheduled for the primary -- departments as usual forty amount that's pretty scared. All Muslim blows going to be here but -- If you're thinking about this is a really great way to hurt yourself or your friends if you know you can't point a shotgun in that direction. And hit the trigger you should not be shooting a potato or tennis or talk muzzle velocity is three to 400 PSI even higher some of the bigger guns -- can build. And you know this is if you with a gun people would probably have more respect for. Share according to alcohol -- tobacco firearms is not -- it is not a munition there's no export licensing on this as far as I know. Your local CD or municipality or county may have different rules it's probably worth calling somebody else to make sure you're not gonna be arrested for launch one of these. If you're -- reach out and touch your neighbors house. You know and I am not a good idea this person with the traditional -- to guns because they have a big pop going to booming sound these are gonna have well you'll hear this and a little later on. But the that we get people's attention I'm pretty sure I think this institute golden gate park and sort of watching tennis balls my dog. Beauty people who play constantly around you bullet neurology and like nine people wouldn't call the cops to have me arrested. -- had been beaten do you colony. Now we should talk abouts what you want -- basically the building on these pics of all the crap actually I forgot the most important thing. The absolute most important thing with working with. Cementing together PVC. And it's not using primer -- which is important. But it's being super patient. You need to let this stuff set for 24 hours. You know overnight twelve point -- actually you know it no. Overeating against the red -- sometimes glory you couldn't do do do do hope -- this is perfect for show up fifteen ministry handling terrorism temperatures -- put pressure testing. Or if you're -- retired basically the people who built this stuff. Who are really serious about it I mean like launching Cuba explorers. Through plywood to simulate tornadoes damage and -- like people -- some crazy stuff this. Medicare and are used to launch charges in two. Hillsides mountainsides -- avalanche controls you can do you mean when you start build these out you you crazy stuff compressor pump injunctive we're talking -- people launch any pumpkin -- mile. Right. -- practicality to -- but still fun stuff on. But when you're doing that right who were you know let it set you did you glue everything together let it -- for 24 hours. Let it set let it set all the directions on the can -- and the candidate cements. And it's entrapment charges when -- explain this -- fun or just make explode. If you drop it or dented or there's a crack or an impact mark or did it. Or you know you. Pull on the end of it start cracking it lose. Stop using -- it's done. I know a lot of people saying -- we're like overly cautious too much on the safety but this is relatively. Well -- Well and incidents -- I mean there's a -- aren't going on here so if we're being over it was Huckabee you know we've talked about it because there's some things. Yeah and there's a limited supply of talented plastic and reconstructive surgeons. And -- Hollywood you know actually a lot of Merkel and yet. People have been harmed and Afghanistan and Iraq so you're taking their time away from those people's sure that your. -- seriously. And this is a lot of -- this and this is actually a lot of fun it's stupid how much fun watching potatoes can be but we want you to not hurt anybody should treat it like you get them. You know don't don't don't fear rule. Don't pointed me buddy ninety minute fun do you if you know -- not a potato and there."
" Be responsible and because you are responsible for yourself we're not responsible what you do. So -- are built terror. BBC. You're basically life. Would you call the process of welding PVC together. Doing welding and relevance in text well -- don't -- didn't. There's technically -- community materials. -- Cut all here PPC to -- and they basically tell you if you can plug this PVC into the idea if you can basically put some together all the way it should be snug fit. Otherwise be able to get it about. Each piece should stated that at least a third in the other one if they don't fit quite like that -- them if they're loose."
" Yeah. And should wear gloves. When they break we spilling your hand like that. That's important things tree cover. Don't have any crap load of ventilation in your workspace. Where respirator. So this foul. --"
" Up pretty bad. Five. This on GSM in part that needed. And -- or download classic -- the I found type hypocrisy really wasn't holding up four. If a person. As is doing a couple feet of water really convenient size hurt him."
" Seriously every five minutes or so the pipe is listed as scheduled for -- scheduling don't use it. He'll say on the straight and there we should be cut -- you can. I tested everything picture fits snugly release a third of the way in and this. Like the expert with the really boring and annoying -- Mohandas -- purple stuff I guess some artists don't. So what is -- Kramer. So. -- primary drive I usually do."
" Now I felt. But it doesn't remember you can clean inside surface filters -- yeah I think you're Julia."
" Obviously around the edges and then send them down. See her find the space is that there. Crank call for hours on end actually take a look at it actually pretended like afford effectively double the insides of every delete expletive to that was never yeah. That's a pretty nice and medium cuts from the eastern Iraq so it's good to kind of get credit. And that was actually going to make it here -- better yes. Needlessly used it chops sought to cut all of this you could actually sit down and use -- she saw or a hacksaw. Spent on spending the weekend with the if you want to do that. Is meant something for awhile. Chops those. African potter book sleep. Within the top of other -- special plastic lately I've just been accomplished. --"
" Yeah."
" Does that Akamai and this one of those sophisticated measurements."
" Basically have to crime all the way out."
" What's interesting is I love reading the directions for the glue. Where they're very specific about not letting or that thing political but I can't. I was on the PC cement cement that's the one cements the -- that you need to be he's a liberal amount will be generous but you don't want puddles. Because if the stuff puddles. You basically end up. With this solvent that takes forever to set for kind of choose its way through. Your PVC. -- this is right is the two X 40 PSI am of the potato gun where you're using. Nothing inappropriate or something like. We'll hire with a propane stuff. But with this you know you can easily WiMax is that is 120 PSI actually see won't we reassemble already. And we're gonna use. For this what we're gonna use like paint -- can be found in the local Lowe's. And that's a legal snap policy empty cartridge on this. Similar. It regulates -- needed to basically will be able regulated there. And we've got a 115 -- 120 PSI pop off albums. Basically is go to blow up."
" You know how much is -- isn't. Com."
" The cancer you can pick up a -- cans. Like. 1520 bucks on -- or you know find local he's got some. Make sure it's been tested recently -- old you know basically it's. You're only CO two was basically liquid form inside of there before this whole part of the regular part of the."
" 87 dollars. This is not -- its you know full fair president obtained from our honor and dignity yeah they can't keep my hands but that's -- with the target carrier. Technical -- this and then it was the first chemical or receive you can pick up a hardware store. -- cause critical nervous system depression."
" Just say yeah if you want our wives sometimes work better. Cheated -- This is yeah."
" Impact times do okay dot com dot com name is -- and nine. Plus world class -- fast and easy website builders and might want to -- into the code as. That's what -- time -- check out and say an additional ten dollars that you order of forty dollars or more."
" Some restrictions apply."
" See site for details get their piece of the Internet and go to dot com."
" So it is a boatload beatings and random parks errors there actually extra. Texas will you saw the civil."
" For the pulled the other one I'm thinking with this and it's all going to depend on what's available at your local hardware supply --"
" They thought these pieces and then he's yelling hey hi this is usually the female and then -- mail and then you have you know step down adapters. And then elbow -- other."
" Pieces that would all those fuses few possible. Thing you know fracture points -- basically just. I cleaner analysts say for so we want to liberal amounts on here."
" This is much contact profitable at -- the quarter turn to -- pushed down on the that's it. Well let's see actually the air tank we're building -- air vents on there. -- for this one we're gonna be using compressed air and we're gonna charge off of here. Okay some homes that. Why why -- basically in theory right because some of these oppressed in some cases fit. They're basically they have little bit of -- to them so you want to hold -- the thirty seconds for the cement to set now."
" Patients we mentioned patients before. 24 hours what you put this together. Set it down somewhere and go away for 24 hours well Congdon and -- yeah. Because. This stuff needs to set if you try to charge it try to postal there actually put your hand though she is now. So in this one we're gonna be using. We use CO two reviews compressed air from the tank over there. But basically you don't want to what do this 24 hours before you puts any kind of -- on it."
" Scissors and division switching between -- can compress Daryn we'll see you can leave residue inside the cast her no our accumulated over the compressed air on evening dangers."
" thing and actually your biggest yeah biggest concern with CO two. Is when you're filling it because Hutu is in liquid form when it goes look at form -- air -- it -- this amazing cooling effects and actually. Want to wipe the criminal that. The with C a pure air -- the what you wait a couple minutes in between shots of the congress of this would be if you were. Shooting. They you know insert name of gaseous. Flammable stuff. Here. The issue is that you can. Actually heat up the barrel. -- do you -- not that process now. Yeah it's much heat and too much cold is bad or. Either one of these. In the fine job it was -- human clamp. -- and don't be afraid to lean on it too much you know there's another over to show you assembling and consumer is basically standing on parts of it."
" % realistically there's not enough physical strength and humanity can damage -- that's the theory. For that period now filed Schwarzenegger were to get involved maybe."
" Well what you want to avoid doing is getting all like nobody uses giant -- briefing to hold us together because if you crack this or -- decision like drop content that is. You're done with a good job fault and whole system this whole thing -- remember you're working with a lot of pressure here so. Pressures that number we want to be liberal but we don't want to have big giant. Clogs in there foot boat was."
" And if it's hard to get sticky just applied more. Solaris chase. -- Notice we're going to be breaking anything."
" It's not hit in the right what right. It's."
" Horrible break and we'll -- Netflix for help to bring us up so assistant here what Netflix you can read over 75000. Titles online including a huge selection of Blu-ray titles plus you get free shipping both ways from them unit and from you -- them. That's because they deliberately your doorstep -- mailbox with forty shipping centers. Actually it's over forty you can -- now across the country almost all deliveries take. But a single business day Netflix plans are from four dollars and 99 cents a month and isn't whomever we can get you -- week. No risk two week trial. Membership -- that it can be divvied up via Netflix dot com slash system and do -- favor if you check this out. Use the URL because it -- try it gives us some credit and helps us keep bringing system -- It's yeah."
" I -- business. Yeah. Now this is actually good point to stop obviously it's not assembled. Yeah alcohol tobacco firearms says this is not a god I can be dangerous because most people are smart enough with a gun to actually not pointy anybody knows who can do and then."
" You don't have a muzzle velocity is 3400 feet per second easy. Hurt some of the -- out of control ones have been designed. Q demonstrate what happens when -- house falls apart two by -- travels of a tornado. You know you're talking about but heavy enough. Yeah. We explain this to happen kind of idea. Yeah. For the gloriously where to put an air -- here's going to be go 15020. PSI -- that's slowly. This is actually a common ordinary two. -- strictly about available that's Lowe's and Home Depot and your favorite local hardware store pretty much everywhere. And when you trigger that it's gonna allow appeared to come out. In -- happens -- which is just happen to be the right size for tennis ball. And pulled convenient I don't go bananas and about the cost me -- yes. Vehicles on that. There's directional arrows the thing I'm backwards will be embarrassed yes and could have taken a harder people who are together. Dispose of it. So if you cracking these huge Santini these -- the drop it in you can see stressed marks in -- whether it's the barrel or the air tank it's done. Thrown away. It's so oh that's I can't say that often enough."
" After asking a question sure. So we have these canisters which -- here. Why couldn't I really just take my air compressor and just plug -- in and then just. -- and -- press releases about what. What's different between night a canister that record where it's really -- question. I have no idea that. Well I'm tantamount question here and editing is that in the air compressors can have a fairly narrow nozzle -- close. So while might be a 110 he would fire in sixty or anything like that the air still moves through that very narrow close. So we're doing this were still intend. To release a lot more airlock pastor out of a much wider nozzle."
" If you -- is even wider -- mouse. You can do different to be made -- even winery even more air released. In an instant. In a perfect world would you really want to have which is not easily possible you know normal parts. This pretty much take two and a half inch foul with two and have been -- with -- to what happens Pak who."
" spoke -- mr. surprise it's my take is actually done one of these with two. Air tanks and 2000 released simultaneously. And these -- one -- Mahathir plus two -- that's perfect and then I don't know if he's ever been able to selling his he was working on a version of -- different about him like that. We have looked like he was -- ever forget to mention -- about six inches across so huge amounts of your very quickly and so we've talked about tapering -- your registry finish slamming the thing the other."
" Yes -- throw balls for dogs definitely not like 300 yards tonight to see what's going to require. The extended barrel long version which unfortunately. Remember when using a drill press have somebody hold onto it -- rolls off the table so that's two hours we're -- And we can't recycling is BBC let's -- Because -- the compressor it's because of CO two tank ran out about five minutes. But the is to -- a dog can't be -- but the."
" At that it."
" But I. --"
" It's like the idea. That. I predict who figured out one CO two takes awesome super portable super easy to carry around. But like probably less than twenty shots with this between for the big -- these could barely last. So I get my big -- CIT canister but yeah we have this thing out. Literally and like fifteen minutes so definitely bigger CO two tank much more portable of the compressor over there. Which works super well but you know of electricity -- second. You saw that fatal crack in her on the -- longer do we had twice the aircraft Steve basically twice a long barrel. Double the air passing attack was give us a much larger distance but we -- there the little one. Perfect for throwing balls the club tennis balls for dogs not so perfect. You want to go some serious distance so we're gonna. Vice of course we know that -- Yeah there's a pretty great distances as you go -- this had a -- like cinematic a lot better. Than the aerosol propellant in the via -- based ones the as Roger points out. Bill's gonna find a much better place -- out here in the middle of industrial land but it's. -- we hear don't know about fifty yards sports like tennis balls. I a couple of the video into."
" That we should discuss -- There are some interesting ways to you you -- the trigger without the diaphragm valve that big how only -- you heard was -- about receiving itself. In between shots. We set up a double trigger ethernet. Got to hold both buttons then here's we wired in series 39 -- because most most of these on -- on ordering systems are from four volts. Critically symbols. Wired and you. Two switches that triggers it -- Prius wiring job but it's done for now which is good for me and man okay we get a lot more distance and this unfortunately. -- gun which has twice the barrel. And more importantly twice the -- storage is out of commission because while we were drilling for the safety relief now ironically enough. PC we tapped in the -- pressure meter in this -- are gonna use. Media. Regular reader about your fill it. Unfortunately. It fell off. The drill press table where little concrete floor and shattered so. We might be able to cut this off and recreate this and that's gonna give us less air tank the only ones are definitely a player with having. More air bigger charge. -- Wow that was actually really fun -- we want to realize is that so I getting my big honking. Fifty pounds he had to take back. From the guys that together Baja 1000 because he's funny -- incredibly convenient -- easy to program it. But I'd -- get less than twenty shots even out of this little guy. Before empty thing now so. We don't have any way to refill it probably want to. Happy bigger tank or regular. What -- on that one. I pressed there was really little business here to assist to make it more portable and -- Just fun."
" We had an installation of horror stuff. We'll get added is glad I ever had been asked about what happened in the notebook when my head showed it. Right effort -- completed that somebody dropped something on it which gallons of paint semi permanently and quite frankly I haven't had the time you send it back down. And started all over again to what it's gonna require so well unless you guys -- and accept -- system. -- adults. Pulling Kate Bob he's got to go back pay sound insulation. And we'll see on next week's episode."
" Palin's account that -- yeah. Studio back in November and working and -- with the person and won't know. So your back I'm back from time to be a good thing he's David Randolph. In case you missed the spectacular. Automating Guitar Hero episode a couple of episodes ago I'm Patrick Norton who you've probably. Are eagerly typing as we speak now wondering where the notebook -- is what I'm holding here's the barrel to a potato -- and actually we're -- a tennis ball can of the tennis ball launcher to calm because it's easier -- while flying from here -- kids and because also a lot of fun to work with new Macs so. Who want to thank our sponsors is always Netflix. And GoDaddy. And -- won't need to find blended initiatives system starting now. So good old -- Potato cannon. It's. If you want to do the classic aerosol powered on whether it's for."
" I'm not right guard or. Aqua -- or. There are fervent debates online co pays taxes public schools -- I'm gonna see directly to web site called spy tech dot com. Mr. surprise. So well."
" To think -- as mister potato cannon has the best directions for building traditional classic basically you can and I've ever seen pulled it down. For -- but now. What were played around here is you've got a -- In this case we get what we're gonna do CO two already compressed air we have here is -- tank. Takes can hold our charge of compressed air. And the tanks going to go through a valve. And it makes in the house or it correctly the valves going to release the charge of air. In you when he's holding right there which of the barrel -- he's holding it for thirty seconds is sore BBC does a separate all were. Glue it together so we're gonna have a tank. A valve. Tennis -- above the barrel. It's gonna hold charge -- 120 asides about what going to max out at the valve is gonna release it. These -- charge of air and it's going to propel the tennis ball. Most logically make about. Through here. Probably my dog to run like mad excited. So we a couple of words of a playground what you're this one. Could be CO two powered to get to do this with compressed they're achievement because these really cool portable kids. That's the local. Hardware supply shop that allows users like regular people see that you charge. -- a nice little portable one we can run around with here to Skype sawed off shotgun and that's exactly you know business. Yeah that's what I would probably be a little -- with does this we're gonna blow through -- twenty counts see that you can probably pretty quickly. The measurements are pretty easy way for -- barrel twelve inch. Tank that the smaller ones we're working with today. Twelve inch barrel and a six inch tank. And that's the ratio usually half. -- you know I can talk about ratios. But I think it's more interesting actually do research online that some people gone -- states to be able gone as high as four or eight to one turning the ratio of the barrel. With with compressed air with little or no added effect is basically there's a certain amount of compressed air is gonna come through the protect those that come through the barrel when you're done. That is an interesting point talked about safety so the air tech looking at right here we haven't ruled that one yet the other one yet. But we've got us the release -- here is gonna go up about a 115 or twenty PSI. Tried really hard that's gonna pop open and let it out bits of the -- area so it."
" What's happening for the whole really safe for a 120 PSI. And anything else come up and down."
" The number one thing to remember whether it's potato cannon where you're shooting -- off with you know -- also he he he pyro -- everyone -- him -- motivational advice. Or dramatic he's using schedule forty your schedule any -- it's gonna get your PSI -- There's a lot stuff like core it was like -- pipe or or even number of flavors of -- you know its its its gotta be OK it looks like that white stuff. Data held up what are the scheduled forty you have PSI reading what's going to be anywhere from like a hundred need -- 6450 PSI. Do not use it especially the core stuff the foam -- stuff. Will explode in a bad way imperious feel -- I can use. AB yes. Everybody I -- says he's PVC. Schedule forty or schedule eighty with he breeding that's critical."
" And not just talk 1050 feet any point of telling where problems -- should -- schedule forty on the site. Going consistently. Right and top ST 84. Yeah. So kind of look for that and authorities scheduled for the primary -- departments as usual forty amount that's pretty scared. All Muslim blows going to be here but -- If you're thinking about this is a really great way to hurt yourself or your friends if you know you can't point a shotgun in that direction. And hit the trigger you should not be shooting a potato or tennis or talk muzzle velocity is three to 400 PSI even higher some of the bigger guns -- can build. And you know this is if you with a gun people would probably have more respect for. Share according to alcohol -- tobacco firearms is not -- it is not a munition there's no export licensing on this as far as I know. Your local CD or municipality or county may have different rules it's probably worth calling somebody else to make sure you're not gonna be arrested for launch one of these. If you're -- reach out and touch your neighbors house. You know and I am not a good idea this person with the traditional -- to guns because they have a big pop going to booming sound these are gonna have well you'll hear this and a little later on. But the that we get people's attention I'm pretty sure I think this institute golden gate park and sort of watching tennis balls my dog. Beauty people who play constantly around you bullet neurology and like nine people wouldn't call the cops to have me arrested. -- had been beaten do you colony. Now we should talk abouts what you want -- basically the building on these pics of all the crap actually I forgot the most important thing. The absolute most important thing with working with. Cementing together PVC. And it's not using primer -- which is important. But it's being super patient. You need to let this stuff set for 24 hours. You know overnight twelve point -- actually you know it no. Overeating against the red -- sometimes glory you couldn't do do do do hope -- this is perfect for show up fifteen ministry handling terrorism temperatures -- put pressure testing. Or if you're -- retired basically the people who built this stuff. Who are really serious about it I mean like launching Cuba explorers. Through plywood to simulate tornadoes damage and -- like people -- some crazy stuff this. Medicare and are used to launch charges in two. Hillsides mountainsides -- avalanche controls you can do you mean when you start build these out you you crazy stuff compressor pump injunctive we're talking -- people launch any pumpkin -- mile. Right. -- practicality to -- but still fun stuff on. But when you're doing that right who were you know let it set you did you glue everything together let it -- for 24 hours. Let it set let it set all the directions on the can -- and the candidate cements. And it's entrapment charges when -- explain this -- fun or just make explode. If you drop it or dented or there's a crack or an impact mark or did it. Or you know you. Pull on the end of it start cracking it lose. Stop using -- it's done. I know a lot of people saying -- we're like overly cautious too much on the safety but this is relatively. Well -- Well and incidents -- I mean there's a -- aren't going on here so if we're being over it was Huckabee you know we've talked about it because there's some things. Yeah and there's a limited supply of talented plastic and reconstructive surgeons. And -- Hollywood you know actually a lot of Merkel and yet. People have been harmed and Afghanistan and Iraq so you're taking their time away from those people's sure that your. -- seriously. And this is a lot of -- this and this is actually a lot of fun it's stupid how much fun watching potatoes can be but we want you to not hurt anybody should treat it like you get them. You know don't don't don't fear rule. Don't pointed me buddy ninety minute fun do you if you know -- not a potato and there."
" Be responsible and because you are responsible for yourself we're not responsible what you do. So -- are built terror. BBC. You're basically life. Would you call the process of welding PVC together. Doing welding and relevance in text well -- don't -- didn't. There's technically -- community materials. -- Cut all here PPC to -- and they basically tell you if you can plug this PVC into the idea if you can basically put some together all the way it should be snug fit. Otherwise be able to get it about. Each piece should stated that at least a third in the other one if they don't fit quite like that -- them if they're loose."
" Yeah. And should wear gloves. When they break we spilling your hand like that. That's important things tree cover. Don't have any crap load of ventilation in your workspace. Where respirator. So this foul. --"
" Up pretty bad. Five. This on GSM in part that needed. And -- or download classic -- the I found type hypocrisy really wasn't holding up four. If a person. As is doing a couple feet of water really convenient size hurt him."
" Seriously every five minutes or so the pipe is listed as scheduled for -- scheduling don't use it. He'll say on the straight and there we should be cut -- you can. I tested everything picture fits snugly release a third of the way in and this. Like the expert with the really boring and annoying -- Mohandas -- purple stuff I guess some artists don't. So what is -- Kramer. So. -- primary drive I usually do."
" Now I felt. But it doesn't remember you can clean inside surface filters -- yeah I think you're Julia."
" Obviously around the edges and then send them down. See her find the space is that there. Crank call for hours on end actually take a look at it actually pretended like afford effectively double the insides of every delete expletive to that was never yeah. That's a pretty nice and medium cuts from the eastern Iraq so it's good to kind of get credit. And that was actually going to make it here -- better yes. Needlessly used it chops sought to cut all of this you could actually sit down and use -- she saw or a hacksaw. Spent on spending the weekend with the if you want to do that. Is meant something for awhile. Chops those. African potter book sleep. Within the top of other -- special plastic lately I've just been accomplished. --"
" Yeah."
" Does that Akamai and this one of those sophisticated measurements."
" Basically have to crime all the way out."
" What's interesting is I love reading the directions for the glue. Where they're very specific about not letting or that thing political but I can't. I was on the PC cement cement that's the one cements the -- that you need to be he's a liberal amount will be generous but you don't want puddles. Because if the stuff puddles. You basically end up. With this solvent that takes forever to set for kind of choose its way through. Your PVC. -- this is right is the two X 40 PSI am of the potato gun where you're using. Nothing inappropriate or something like. We'll hire with a propane stuff. But with this you know you can easily WiMax is that is 120 PSI actually see won't we reassemble already. And we're gonna use. For this what we're gonna use like paint -- can be found in the local Lowe's. And that's a legal snap policy empty cartridge on this. Similar. It regulates -- needed to basically will be able regulated there. And we've got a 115 -- 120 PSI pop off albums. Basically is go to blow up."
" You know how much is -- isn't. Com."
" The cancer you can pick up a -- cans. Like. 1520 bucks on -- or you know find local he's got some. Make sure it's been tested recently -- old you know basically it's. You're only CO two was basically liquid form inside of there before this whole part of the regular part of the."
" 87 dollars. This is not -- its you know full fair president obtained from our honor and dignity yeah they can't keep my hands but that's -- with the target carrier. Technical -- this and then it was the first chemical or receive you can pick up a hardware store. -- cause critical nervous system depression."
" Just say yeah if you want our wives sometimes work better. Cheated -- This is yeah."
" Impact times do okay dot com dot com name is -- and nine. Plus world class -- fast and easy website builders and might want to -- into the code as. That's what -- time -- check out and say an additional ten dollars that you order of forty dollars or more."
" Some restrictions apply."
" See site for details get their piece of the Internet and go to dot com."
" So it is a boatload beatings and random parks errors there actually extra. Texas will you saw the civil."
" For the pulled the other one I'm thinking with this and it's all going to depend on what's available at your local hardware supply --"
" They thought these pieces and then he's yelling hey hi this is usually the female and then -- mail and then you have you know step down adapters. And then elbow -- other."
" Pieces that would all those fuses few possible. Thing you know fracture points -- basically just. I cleaner analysts say for so we want to liberal amounts on here."
" This is much contact profitable at -- the quarter turn to -- pushed down on the that's it. Well let's see actually the air tank we're building -- air vents on there. -- for this one we're gonna be using compressed air and we're gonna charge off of here. Okay some homes that. Why why -- basically in theory right because some of these oppressed in some cases fit. They're basically they have little bit of -- to them so you want to hold -- the thirty seconds for the cement to set now."
" Patients we mentioned patients before. 24 hours what you put this together. Set it down somewhere and go away for 24 hours well Congdon and -- yeah. Because. This stuff needs to set if you try to charge it try to postal there actually put your hand though she is now. So in this one we're gonna be using. We use CO two reviews compressed air from the tank over there. But basically you don't want to what do this 24 hours before you puts any kind of -- on it."
" Scissors and division switching between -- can compress Daryn we'll see you can leave residue inside the cast her no our accumulated over the compressed air on evening dangers."
" thing and actually your biggest yeah biggest concern with CO two. Is when you're filling it because Hutu is in liquid form when it goes look at form -- air -- it -- this amazing cooling effects and actually. Want to wipe the criminal that. The with C a pure air -- the what you wait a couple minutes in between shots of the congress of this would be if you were. Shooting. They you know insert name of gaseous. Flammable stuff. Here. The issue is that you can. Actually heat up the barrel. -- do you -- not that process now. Yeah it's much heat and too much cold is bad or. Either one of these. In the fine job it was -- human clamp. -- and don't be afraid to lean on it too much you know there's another over to show you assembling and consumer is basically standing on parts of it."
" % realistically there's not enough physical strength and humanity can damage -- that's the theory. For that period now filed Schwarzenegger were to get involved maybe."
" Well what you want to avoid doing is getting all like nobody uses giant -- briefing to hold us together because if you crack this or -- decision like drop content that is. You're done with a good job fault and whole system this whole thing -- remember you're working with a lot of pressure here so. Pressures that number we want to be liberal but we don't want to have big giant. Clogs in there foot boat was."
" And if it's hard to get sticky just applied more. Solaris chase. -- Notice we're going to be breaking anything."
" It's not hit in the right what right. It's."
" Horrible break and we'll -- Netflix for help to bring us up so assistant here what Netflix you can read over 75000. Titles online including a huge selection of Blu-ray titles plus you get free shipping both ways from them unit and from you -- them. That's because they deliberately your doorstep -- mailbox with forty shipping centers. Actually it's over forty you can -- now across the country almost all deliveries take. But a single business day Netflix plans are from four dollars and 99 cents a month and isn't whomever we can get you -- week. No risk two week trial. Membership -- that it can be divvied up via Netflix dot com slash system and do -- favor if you check this out. Use the URL because it -- try it gives us some credit and helps us keep bringing system -- It's yeah."
" I -- business. Yeah. Now this is actually good point to stop obviously it's not assembled. Yeah alcohol tobacco firearms says this is not a god I can be dangerous because most people are smart enough with a gun to actually not pointy anybody knows who can do and then."
" You don't have a muzzle velocity is 3400 feet per second easy. Hurt some of the -- out of control ones have been designed. Q demonstrate what happens when -- house falls apart two by -- travels of a tornado. You know you're talking about but heavy enough. Yeah. We explain this to happen kind of idea. Yeah. For the gloriously where to put an air -- here's going to be go 15020. PSI -- that's slowly. This is actually a common ordinary two. -- strictly about available that's Lowe's and Home Depot and your favorite local hardware store pretty much everywhere. And when you trigger that it's gonna allow appeared to come out. In -- happens -- which is just happen to be the right size for tennis ball. And pulled convenient I don't go bananas and about the cost me -- yes. Vehicles on that. There's directional arrows the thing I'm backwards will be embarrassed yes and could have taken a harder people who are together. Dispose of it. So if you cracking these huge Santini these -- the drop it in you can see stressed marks in -- whether it's the barrel or the air tank it's done. Thrown away. It's so oh that's I can't say that often enough."
" After asking a question sure. So we have these canisters which -- here. Why couldn't I really just take my air compressor and just plug -- in and then just. -- and -- press releases about what. What's different between night a canister that record where it's really -- question. I have no idea that. Well I'm tantamount question here and editing is that in the air compressors can have a fairly narrow nozzle -- close. So while might be a 110 he would fire in sixty or anything like that the air still moves through that very narrow close. So we're doing this were still intend. To release a lot more airlock pastor out of a much wider nozzle."
" If you -- is even wider -- mouse. You can do different to be made -- even winery even more air released. In an instant. In a perfect world would you really want to have which is not easily possible you know normal parts. This pretty much take two and a half inch foul with two and have been -- with -- to what happens Pak who."
" spoke -- mr. surprise it's my take is actually done one of these with two. Air tanks and 2000 released simultaneously. And these -- one -- Mahathir plus two -- that's perfect and then I don't know if he's ever been able to selling his he was working on a version of -- different about him like that. We have looked like he was -- ever forget to mention -- about six inches across so huge amounts of your very quickly and so we've talked about tapering -- your registry finish slamming the thing the other."
" Yes -- throw balls for dogs definitely not like 300 yards tonight to see what's going to require. The extended barrel long version which unfortunately. Remember when using a drill press have somebody hold onto it -- rolls off the table so that's two hours we're -- And we can't recycling is BBC let's -- Because -- the compressor it's because of CO two tank ran out about five minutes. But the is to -- a dog can't be -- but the."
" At that it."
" But I. --"
" It's like the idea. That. I predict who figured out one CO two takes awesome super portable super easy to carry around. But like probably less than twenty shots with this between for the big -- these could barely last. So I get my big -- CIT canister but yeah we have this thing out. Literally and like fifteen minutes so definitely bigger CO two tank much more portable of the compressor over there. Which works super well but you know of electricity -- second. You saw that fatal crack in her on the -- longer do we had twice the aircraft Steve basically twice a long barrel. Double the air passing attack was give us a much larger distance but we -- there the little one. Perfect for throwing balls the club tennis balls for dogs not so perfect. You want to go some serious distance so we're gonna. Vice of course we know that -- Yeah there's a pretty great distances as you go -- this had a -- like cinematic a lot better. Than the aerosol propellant in the via -- based ones the as Roger points out. Bill's gonna find a much better place -- out here in the middle of industrial land but it's. -- we hear don't know about fifty yards sports like tennis balls. I a couple of the video into."
" That we should discuss -- There are some interesting ways to you you -- the trigger without the diaphragm valve that big how only -- you heard was -- about receiving itself. In between shots. We set up a double trigger ethernet. Got to hold both buttons then here's we wired in series 39 -- because most most of these on -- on ordering systems are from four volts. Critically symbols. Wired and you. Two switches that triggers it -- Prius wiring job but it's done for now which is good for me and man okay we get a lot more distance and this unfortunately. -- gun which has twice the barrel. And more importantly twice the -- storage is out of commission because while we were drilling for the safety relief now ironically enough. PC we tapped in the -- pressure meter in this -- are gonna use. Media. Regular reader about your fill it. Unfortunately. It fell off. The drill press table where little concrete floor and shattered so. We might be able to cut this off and recreate this and that's gonna give us less air tank the only ones are definitely a player with having. More air bigger charge. -- Wow that was actually really fun -- we want to realize is that so I getting my big honking. Fifty pounds he had to take back. From the guys that together Baja 1000 because he's funny -- incredibly convenient -- easy to program it. But I'd -- get less than twenty shots even out of this little guy. Before empty thing now so. We don't have any way to refill it probably want to. Happy bigger tank or regular. What -- on that one. I pressed there was really little business here to assist to make it more portable and -- Just fun."
" We had an installation of horror stuff. We'll get added is glad I ever had been asked about what happened in the notebook when my head showed it. Right effort -- completed that somebody dropped something on it which gallons of paint semi permanently and quite frankly I haven't had the time you send it back down. And started all over again to what it's gonna require so well unless you guys -- and accept -- system. -- adults. Pulling Kate Bob he's got to go back pay sound insulation. And we'll see on next week's episode."
travislopes
Started discussion: March 10, 2008 @ 4:26pm GMT
Episode 41 - Systm Builds a Cannon [Discussion]
There's nothing wrong with potato guns... we love sparking up Right Guard as much as the next geek. But compressed air, now that makes for a seriously fun cannon.
Watch and download now!
[SIZE=1](Sidenote: Post #300.)[/SIZE]
lordbyron
about 1 year ago
For the record I would have to say their measurements were off. They stated that the longer one as 24" and the shorter one as 12". Looked more like 36" and 24" to me. Or were they talking about the air tank? Also David referred to the pipe as female and the fittings as male. That is reversed the pipe is male. It goes into the fitting, hence being the male. But I am glad again to see a complete show.
1_1_1
about 1 year ago
the cannon was weak and having the U in it makes it weaker just ask a good HS or College physics teacher
back in HS we made ones with 12" combustion chamber whatever leanth barrel and used hair spray with a BBQ igniter and shot 100 yards easy.
I used a 5'x2" barrel 4"-to-2" reducer 1'x4" combustion chamber and a clear out cap
then put two screw to get the spark into the combustion chamber and one screw to hold the ball out of the combustion chamber
and did a "test fit" assembly then a sharpy to get the correct amount of primer/cement in place
it did great some did a 6' barrel some did a 4' none messed up and all reached close to or beyond 100 yards
back in HS we made ones with 12" combustion chamber whatever leanth barrel and used hair spray with a BBQ igniter and shot 100 yards easy.
I used a 5'x2" barrel 4"-to-2" reducer 1'x4" combustion chamber and a clear out cap
then put two screw to get the spark into the combustion chamber and one screw to hold the ball out of the combustion chamber
and did a "test fit" assembly then a sharpy to get the correct amount of primer/cement in place
it did great some did a 6' barrel some did a 4' none messed up and all reached close to or beyond 100 yards
Pyro_boy_DJ
about 1 year ago
Excelent Intro
I have personally made about three or four of these air cannons myself and can say with confidence that they are way better than their hair-spray powered counterparts. One thing that they could do even now to improve their range is to supercharge the valve. If you remove the solenoid and instead attach a regular air compressor valve(like the one at the end of the hose) you can dump the air much faster and gain considerable distance. In addition to that the honking noise will disappear. I have one with a 6 ft barrel and if somebody were to cough it would cover up the sound of the cannon firing.This is an excellent intro to the art of pneumatic cannon construction and there is way more that the guys didn't get a chance to get into. Have fun but be safe. PVC doesn't show up on X-ray.
EBAR
about 1 year ago
Is anyone else unable to get to the episode? When I try to get there, I just end up at the main page.
eca
about 1 year ago
aIR PRESSURE vs Volume
I would like a discussion on the comparison of SMAL High pressure over Large LOWER pressure..Would it be better to have a SMALL High pressure
or
Large cylinder with MORE volume..
mikec
about 1 year ago
In reply to EBAR:
Is anyone else unable to get to the episode? When I try to get there, I just end up at the main page.
iTunes burped on this episode for most of the night. This site here was running slow earlier, that might have been part of the issue. I finally got it downloaded while watching several other podcasts. Hopefully all troubles are over and you can get this episode.
viron75
about 1 year ago
Safety
I thought that it was strange that during the whole episode they talked about safety and then the first thing they show us is Patrick shooting it at another person?master1228
about 1 year ago
Time Lapsed Setup
Watching the time lapsed setup of Patrick cutting and fitting all the PVC pieces in what looked like a garage towards the end of the show was great, it really made the show!Murphy1d
about 1 year ago
22 years ago I was using de-natured alcohol as the propellant. Is the Right Guard/Hairspray mix a better way?










