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COMMUNITY : FORUMS : RANDOM FUN


Mini Cannon

This video by YouTube user 43287633 shows off the abilities of a tiny custom cannon. Check it out to see this thing take on soda cans, glasses, balloons, and more. Unfortunately, there's no other information about this one, but I do love the fact that the firing range is the creator's own desk. That's some serious confidence in the reliability of the cannon.

via Neatorama


Picture 1.png
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1
D-I-O-N says: Jun 29, 2012. 5:25 AM
i made one by myself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2WC1FWPxk0
107
killerjackalope says: May 10, 2010. 11:24 AM
I can see how to make one of them pretty easily but I don't know what the score is with gunpowder here...  
darkdragonpez says: Apr 27, 2011. 7:47 PM
or astrore that sales cap guns u can take the powder from them
darkdragonpez says: Apr 27, 2011. 7:43 PM
do u have a store that sales party pullstring confettie popers
4
SpecieS~ says: Jul 19, 2010. 3:30 AM
If you are patient enough, you could wait for New Year's Eve and buy some firecrackers. They are quite cheap and you would get black powder and fuses at the same time. Where I live (Germany) you get 6 huge or many (I think more than 40) big, medium and small sized firecrackers mixed as one pack for 2€ (1.7£ / 2.6$).

These are the crackers ( I found the pictures somewhere on the Internet ):
huge
mix pack

Maybe you get similar crackers where you live. I think black powder would be one of the best propellants.
107
killerjackalope says: Jul 19, 2010. 5:44 AM
Fireworks are illegal without a license here so that puts that off the table
2
Hitman227 says: Nov 24, 2010. 6:12 PM
Were do you live?
4
SpecieS~ says: Jul 19, 2010. 8:30 AM
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Fireworks are illegal in Northern Ireland? Even in the bureaucratic Germany, where nearly everything that could be dangerous is illegal, every adult may buy amateur fireworks.
8
woodstockbirdy says: Oct 26, 2010. 8:03 PM
their ilegal in Canada too
1
Geekmandude says: Nov 5, 2010. 6:38 PM
No there not illegal in Canada. They don't sell them many places anymore, not on the coast anyway, but I got a whack of them in Winlaw recently, including some 2" mortars and DOT Class C multi packs, bottle rockets and such. They did put more restrictions on KNO3 a year ago, but fortunatly I still have 5 kilos =).
2
Hitman227 says: Nov 24, 2010. 6:15 PM
Are you some kind of bomb making terrrorist? Why would any one need 5kg of KN03? For a propellent for a mini canonn like that just use a firecracker.
1
Geekmandude says: Nov 25, 2010. 10:59 AM
No. I just like making rockets and I make my own fuel for them, and when you launch rockets regularly, it uses it fairly fast. I admit that it is way more than I need, but it was a way better deal to get that much and it will last me years. I am very careful when dealing with it and use full protective gear when making the fuel.
GMD
2
Hitman227 says: Nov 27, 2010. 8:01 AM
Happy to hear that. I make airsoft grenades, smoke grenades,mines, ect. so I need a bit of it. Were do you get the stuff? I live in Canada and i cant find any. Its like some one stealing a ton of KN03; every one would suspect them of making a bomb. So I would recomend getting small amounts.
164
Kiteman says: May 10, 2010. 12:36 PM
Just don't buy metal tubing and gunpowder on the same credit card.

Living round your way, that would get you a knock on the door from a man driving a cage-wrapped landrover...
1
mrownsalot says: May 12, 2010. 7:09 AM
How about, like hairspray or deoderant instead of gunpowder?
1
mrownsalot says: May 12, 2010. 7:15 AM
Note:

It won't just be cool, it would smell good too....

107
killerjackalope says: May 11, 2010. 11:24 AM
True, you can buy me the gunpowder and mail it, with a big label beside the contents saying, totally not a terrorist, that's bound to work...

Eh I really am unsure on that, don't even know about model rocket engines, which has come up in a project before, still on the blocks that one... 
164
Kiteman says: May 11, 2010. 11:47 AM
For model rockets, try zinc and sulphur - as far as I know both can be purchased freely across the UK (from chemical suppliers), but together they make a useful (if smoky) rocket fuel.

The first place I heard about it (Rocket Boys) called it zincoshine, because they used pure alcohol as a binder.
107
killerjackalope says: May 11, 2010. 1:01 PM
 Hmm, I'll  look in to that, the gunpowder's about the only thing lacking for making one of these cannons, I've got everything else needed...
69
Tool Using Animal says: May 11, 2010. 1:17 PM
If only there were some sort of website offering instructions on making your own gunpowder.....
2
Lildevil963 says: Oct 9, 2011. 1:18 PM
but u will still need kno3 charcoal(anything wit alot of carbon really) and sulfur
2
Lildevil963 says: Oct 9, 2011. 1:17 PM
its not tht hard to find its even on wiki
16
Lithium Rain says: May 11, 2010. 1:32 PM
Ohhh! Ohhh! Maybe it could have instructions on how to make lots of stuff like that!
69
Tool Using Animal says: May 11, 2010. 1:43 PM
What a great idea!!! We'll be RICH!!
164
Kiteman says: May 11, 2010. 1:57 PM
You two smart-alecs forget that Killerjackalope is in Northern Ireland.

On top of the OTT UK restrictions on materials that could potentially become weapons, his little corner of the Kingdom has had decades of violence in which home-made bombs played a major part.

It's the only part of the UK where police are routinely armed on street patrols.




2
Hitman227 says: Nov 24, 2010. 6:17 PM
Yeah, Even the police that come to our school to teach about drugs and stuff carry glocks.
16
Lithium Rain says: May 11, 2010. 4:50 PM
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

In other news, water is wet and the Chinese eat eggrolls. :P
9
kelseymh says: May 11, 2010. 5:01 PM
The Chinese eat spring rolls and summer rolls, at least in Beijing.  It's a big country, and I've only been to a tiny little over-populated bit of it.
16
Lithium Rain says: May 11, 2010. 6:42 PM
Stop ruining my stereotypical statement with your real-world facts!

Are they as delicious as the Americanized version of Chinese food? Or do they taste funny? :D
9
kelseymh says: May 11, 2010. 8:29 PM
:-D  Well, what I discovered was that Beijing local food was pretty similar to your average San Francisco Chinese, but quite different from Vancouver or L.A. Chinese (both of which have strong Hong Kong influences). 

As for "Chinese" between the Rockies and the Shenandoah Valley, all I can say is that it's about as authentic as a Charlie Chan movie ;-/  I think that means, "they taste funny."
132
caitlinsdad says: May 11, 2010. 9:03 PM
From California to the New York island,
From the redwood forest, to the Gulf stream waters
This eggroll was made for you and me...
132
caitlinsdad says: May 11, 2010. 6:57 PM
 Well, at least you didn't mention fortune cookies.

and what tales do you have to tell from your time off, Ms. Lithium Marco Rain Polo?
16
Lithium Rain says: May 11, 2010. 8:51 PM
 NOM NOM NOM

Strange tales of unimaginable oddness...or maybe that was just last night's thai food giving me weird dreams.
132
caitlinsdad says: May 11, 2010. 9:11 PM
 You might as well revive this topic.
69
Tool Using Animal says: May 12, 2010. 9:50 AM
If I'd eaten anything worth talking about, I would. somehow gummi bears and turkey on white bred seems undeserving.
164
Kiteman says: May 11, 2010. 1:07 PM
Zincoshine's a rocket propellant, though.  I don't know if it expands quickly enough to drive a cannon ball.
107
killerjackalope says: May 12, 2010. 10:02 AM
Hmm, it's possible, could do a rather long version of the cannon to make it effective with slower expanding propellants...

Alternatively I could try a fuel air one to start with, I probably have the parts for that in my junk drawer... 
2
Hitman227 says: Nov 27, 2010. 8:07 AM
why dont you make a copmressed hydrogen/air mix canonn. You could buy the hydrogen from you nearest chemical suplyer, use a bicycle pump to compress the mix and use steel pipe for the canonn.
9
kelseymh says: May 10, 2010. 11:55 AM
Um, er, don't you mean "how to score gunpowder"?
107
killerjackalope says: May 11, 2010. 11:29 AM
 Hmm, probably do, though I could ask the neighbour, he has a variety of blank firers and shotguns...
2
Hitman227 says: Nov 24, 2010. 6:21 PM
My 80 year old neighbour har many shotguns and a .22. A 3 in the morning all you hear is'die you stinkin racoons!' BAM!(blasts them with the shotgun and then pulls out the .22)
22
KentsOkay says: May 14, 2010. 12:28 AM
 I saw a blackpowder derringer that shoots BB's that uses just the ignitor / percussion cap for propellant. It would be more complex with the firing pin and all, but still pretty sweet.
2
wenpherd says: May 10, 2010. 12:14 PM
I think he meant that he wasn't sure it was legal to buy gunpowder where he lives
9
kelseymh says: May 10, 2010. 12:22 PM
Uh, huh.  And so did I.
2
wenpherd says: May 11, 2010. 6:22 AM
Ah, uhm...... ok.
132
caitlinsdad says: May 10, 2010. 12:05 PM
 I believe that is pubspeak for "what's the deal with that little bit o' gunpowder" or "dang, it's really gunpowder used in there".  You have to have tiny balls to use that thing.
toogers says: Jul 25, 2010. 6:36 PM
"stifiles laughter*
2
knektek says: May 15, 2010. 12:32 PM
extra GUNPOWDER!!!!
2
Hitman227 says: Nov 24, 2010. 6:23 PM
HeHe mini compresseds hydogen canonn!(I wish.)
8
woodstockbirdy says: Jul 18, 2010. 1:25 PM
I wish some one would make a instuctable on how to make one of theese( or something like it)
technom says: Jul 6, 2010. 1:26 PM
Awesome. But if it can destroy a mug, this thing is dangerous. TOO dangerous for its size. xD
bemko says: Jul 1, 2010. 3:44 AM
all you nead to make this is a mini lathe some brass and free time i made a lot of mini cannons like this (y think y gona make a instructible on this mini cannon)
30
DJ Radio says: May 15, 2010. 7:00 AM
I wonder how you make that...
mistahmaxi says: Jun 22, 2010. 10:09 AM
Dude, that's the easiest construction ever made in the history of mankind. I'm sure you'd be able to build one of those cannons just by looking at it.
30
DJ Radio says: Jun 22, 2010. 12:32 PM
I mean knowing the materials used, and how they were crafted.
rhysc7 says: May 16, 2010. 6:17 PM
why light it with a smoke
thebair says: Jun 5, 2010. 11:06 AM
if you use matches you might end up droping it and start a fire very quick,but with a cigerate you can get it off the floor in time.(don't smoke it can give you lung cancer and kill you.)
churious says: May 16, 2010. 5:19 PM
He would have got glass in his keyboard.  And I though crumbs were annoying.  :P
11
RavingMadStudios says: May 15, 2010. 3:24 PM
Luv it. Luvvit.
nicolo86 says: May 15, 2010. 9:28 AM
deadly
46
Jayefuu says: May 10, 2010. 11:59 AM
I sure wouldn't have done that that close to my computer....
107
killerjackalope says: May 11, 2010. 11:25 AM
I found an old video of me making a rudimentary furnace like thing on my desk, the excessively cluttered desk, with computer, flammables etc.

Nothing went wrong... 
22
KentsOkay says: May 14, 2010. 12:29 AM
 Luck o' Irish?
2
wenpherd says: May 10, 2010. 12:10 PM
Yeah, i was thinking the same thing.
ampedonus says: May 13, 2010. 1:33 PM
can you make a brass monkey to go with it, i've allways wanted to see the balls frozen off a brass monkey :-0
Joenavy85 says: May 12, 2010. 6:25 PM
i'm skeptical, it looks to me like the cannon is always aimed horizontally when he fires it, and with how easily it pivots it makes me think the video is fake. now i'm not at all saying it's impossible because i'm sure anybody with basic machining ability and knowledge of physics could do it
3
mr. clean says: May 12, 2010. 5:32 PM
if u have ever seen those little poppers known to most in the U.S as booby traps they have more than enough powder in them in fact its a pretty dangerous amount in just one, so just get a box of those for 12 cents and carefully use a needle to unroll them and get the powder. also the sho gun brand seems to work best and provides the most amount of powder for ur money.
10
MichelMoermans says: May 12, 2010. 11:21 AM
Great vid :D

The whole video I was either going like "Awesome!" and "I really hope the thing suddenly goes a little right and shoots right through his computerscreen :p"

But he sure as hell would need to have tested this a few times before shooting (I couldn't believe he hit that balloon the very first time around)

also looking forward to Lemonies and Killerjackalope's instructables :)

I'm wondering how powerfull the matchheads would be... If it's strong enough for this and an ible is coming along I'll start grinding up matchheads :D
107
killerjackalope says: May 12, 2010. 11:57 AM
Wait and see, I'll pick up the matches tomorrow and do some tests with stuff from the junk drawer... 
10
MichelMoermans says: May 12, 2010. 12:07 PM
Nice, looking forward to it :)

i subscribed to you so I'll get notified when the ible is published should you make it :)

Let me know how the experiments worked out.

cheers,

Michel
107
killerjackalope says: May 12, 2010. 12:10 PM
I'll keep you up to date with it... 
49
lemonie says: May 12, 2010. 11:31 AM
Strike-anywhere match-heads are good. If you grind them do it under alcohol (e.g. meths / methanol). Otherwise crush them carefully.

L
107
killerjackalope says: May 12, 2010. 12:12 PM
Hmm, I'm sure I've got something kicking about to do it.  
punk12345678 says: May 12, 2010. 12:03 PM
plz show us how its made
9
kelseymh says: May 12, 2010. 12:06 PM
Why don't you contact YouTube user 43287633, who was referenced in the very first line of this posting as the person who made the video?
49
lemonie says: May 11, 2010. 11:58 AM
I used to make small canon like this, with powdered match-heads. Powdered match-heads is what I see as propellant in the video.

L
107
killerjackalope says: May 12, 2010. 10:03 AM
I am an eejit, I forgot match-heads do this... Expect an 'ible soon then... 
49
lemonie says: May 12, 2010. 10:31 AM
If you do, I might think about one myself. Although I use to use brake-pipe, which I don't have any more

L
107
killerjackalope says: May 12, 2010. 11:01 AM
I'm sure I have a ton of stuff to use but I will make a nice solid brass one, though the outer probably won't be as prettily lathed...  
132
caitlinsdad says: May 12, 2010. 10:37 AM
Shall I call ahead for reservations for two at the Darwin Awards ceremonies?
107
killerjackalope says: May 12, 2010. 11:00 AM
Considering the number of times I've left my street riding car bonnets, yes, yes you should... The cannon will probably be an honorable mention... 
jersonsteiner says: May 12, 2010. 2:29 AM
that can be a discreet weapon...
8
corey_caffeine says: May 11, 2010. 10:11 PM
gentlemen! i present to you the ultimate in pellet gun technology!
4
bowmaster says: May 11, 2010. 1:04 PM
Wow, this is like a fingertip cannon!! I thing the mug was the most impressive test.
2
skelly7447 says: May 10, 2010. 9:04 PM
shoot it at a full can
jmatthew408 says: May 11, 2010. 10:28 AM
amen, but shake it up first!!
Elemental Dragon says: May 10, 2010. 9:18 PM
I second this suggestion :)
26
robbtoberfest says: May 10, 2010. 8:45 PM
 I laughed the whole time with giddiness; I wouldn't want to clean the pieces of glass out of that keyboard though. 
6
kcls says: May 10, 2010. 6:39 PM
Darn, now I really want one! I wonder how many little metal pellets he has sitting around his house.
3
zascecs says: May 10, 2010. 5:30 PM
 Whoah! Don't underestimate small things!!!

By the way, if I were him, I wouldn't be shooting next to a computer...
=/
gregor aitken says: May 10, 2010. 2:23 PM
 By the way you dont need to use gun powder if you dont want to but you can use crushed match heads   :)
69
Tool Using Animal says: May 10, 2010. 12:47 PM
Love the precision use of tweezers to load it, the little tamping rod and the carefully measured out powder, followed by igniting it with a nasty old cigarette butt.  That's a WTF?

btw, needs work...
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