Golf Ball Gun!!! How To Make One That Can Shoot 400+ yards!

$C:\Program Files\My Shit\Spud Stuff\My Stuff\My Guns\SG Assault\SGA Over-View.JPG$

$C:\Program Files\My Shit\Spud Stuff\My Stuff\My Guns\SG Assault\Piston.JPG$

$C:\Program Files\My Shit\Spud Stuff\My Stuff\My Guns\SG Assault\Close Up.JPG$

$C:\Program Files\My Shit\Spud Stuff\My Stuff\My Guns\SG Assault\Pilot Setup.JPG$

$C:\Program Files\My Shit\Spud Stuff\My Stuff\My Guns\SG Assault\Tee Housing.JPG$

$C:\Program Files\My Shit\Spud Stuff\My Stuff\My Guns\SG Assault\Sealing Face.JPG$

New, better instructable:
http://www.instructables.com/id/GolfballAntennaNerf-Cannon---Build-One-That-Shoo/

New, better video:
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=pkejntZlQC0

Youtube Channel:
www.youtube.com/PerformanceCannons

This is my golfball gun, it features a 2" barrel sealing piston with 1.5" porting. The chamber is made from 2" Pressure Rated PVC pipe and the barrel is 1.5" PVC pipe. For more information go to:
http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtopic,p,100616.html#100616

Big Thanks to Nicholas Benigni, owner of SpudGunExtreme.com
You can find his website and spudgun products here:
http://www.spudgunextreme.com/

Note: In the video I am wearing safety glasses you just can't see me, the shot at the end without them is perfectly safe as I was only firing air.

I also have more then enough objects as a back stop to make certain the projectile doesn't go all the way.

One shot I am firing into the open, I was shooting a golfball 380m at a golf course that was closed due to weather 50m away.

You may need to use some Lube to help the piston slide easier:

http://www.amazon.com/Astroglide-Personal-Lubricant-Water-Based/dp/B000CLTYCW/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7975610-3340617?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1189202562&sr=8-1

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Step 1: How it works:

$C:\Users\Cameron\Desktop\Misc\Spud Related\SGA Related\Piston Slower.gif$

1) Air is sent through the inlet valve, this pushes the piston(green) forward and sealing the barrel, the air leaks around the chamber and fills the chamber up.

2) Once the air is equalized all around the chamber and valve, the inlet valve is closed.

3) When you want to fire, you open the pilot valve and all the air behind the piston(pilot area) vents out this valve, since the pressure on the piston is un-equalized with more pressure at the front pushing it back, then pushing it forward the piston actuates.

4) The piston flies back at incredible speed and all the air goes out the barrel and launches the projectile.

That's how simple it is.

TorturdChaos says: Jul 11, 2011. 8:34 AM

A friend and I built one similar to this - using a sprinkler valve as a trigger tho. For a piston we used a piece of exhaust pipe with 2 round plats welded to each end. Used some sheets of gasket and such to make seals and bumpers for the ends.
We setup a ballistics pendulum to try to get a reading on the speed of a golf ball and after breaking several of them we finally got something around 700ft/sec for a muzzle velocity. Our measuring whole setup was overly accurate, but I willing to say were in +/- 60ft/sec, which still puts that golf ball going really freaken fast (something like 400-500MPH)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to TorturdChaosJul 11, 2011. 3:14 PM

I would have used to think 700fps was impressive but then I started building hybrids and now I'm shooting golfballs at around 1600fps :D

Pneumatics can be fun but don't even come close in power and usually cost the same to build as a hybrid.

danjo62 says: Mar 6, 2011. 2:42 PM

how much psi would you pump it up to if you wanted the golfball to shoot 400 yards like you said?

tomtortoise says: May 5, 2010. 5:54 PM

I was wondering what kind of can is the best for this like a specific brand or something. i was also wondering how much this costs about for a basic version?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to tomtortoiseMay 5, 2010. 6:40 PM

Depends. Just go to a store and try different brands. Things are different in NZ (where im from) compared to the USA.

Same thing goes for the pricing. Check out my other instructables for better ideas such as a different way to make a piston.

In America I would guess this would cost you about $100USD for a basic version.

JamesTrick in reply to MrCrowleyMay 15, 2010. 10:00 PM

I'm live in NZ and am just wondering what type of can you used. Or would a coke can work?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to JamesTrickMay 15, 2010. 10:24 PM

Not sure, do you mean the new V sized coke cans? Possibly. Though I no longer recommend using them. You get far better performance if you just make your piston from wood, cut an o-ring groove and water treat the wood so it doesn't expand from moisture.

I made this cannon when I was quite inexperienced and only about 14 or 15.
If you have a better idea for a piston, go ahead and use it. Just remember that the piston has to be a pretty damn good fit.

If you have a 1mm gap around the piston between the piston and the piston housing wall (what the piston goes inside), that equals about 160mm^2 of area. If your piston is 6cm long, that's about 960ml's or 960mm^3 of volume that the pilot valve has to get rid off. If your pilot volume is too small, this area could fill up with air faster than the pilot valve can get rid of it. Which means all your air goes out your pilot volume and your piston doesn't open.

Your piston should fit nicely (always use vaseline or some lubricant) and shouldn't be too difficult to moven with a few pounds of force. If you can turn the cannon verticle and piston moves without any pushing, it is probably too loose.

Let me know how your cannon goes, i'll be glad to help so you don't mess things up and waste hundreds of dollars like I did. Remember to always buy pressure rated pipe as well! I wrote this article here about identifying pressure rated pipe, I specifically wrote a part on NZ/Aus pipe:
http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/index.php?title=Pressure_rated

Goodluck.

tomtortoise in reply to MrCrowleyMay 7, 2010. 6:00 PM

thanks. but also how do you attach the valves to the end cap on the back of the piston valve. i could use reducers to get it down to 1/2 inch but is there an easier way

MrCrowley (author) in reply to tomtortoiseMay 7, 2010. 6:34 PM

Check out my other instructable.

audio8448 says: Feb 21, 2010. 1:25 PM

can you buy the 1.5" sdr21 pvc pipe at home depot or lowes?

imthatguy1125 in reply to audio8448Apr 24, 2010. 7:12 AM

MrCrowley (author) in reply to imthatguy1125Apr 24, 2010. 2:42 PM

Depends where you live. Some lucky people have found it at their local stores.

imthatguy1125 in reply to MrCrowleyApr 25, 2010. 9:51 AM

I can get mine locally but I have to go to a plumbers supply store, the have a giant scrap pile and sold me 8 feet for 75 cents

MrCrowley (author) in reply to audio8448Feb 21, 2010. 2:13 PM

no idea mate, we dont have them in NZ

Musicman41 says: Apr 1, 2010. 9:44 AM

I was trying to watch your animation, but I found it difficult to take in everything displayed. It would be much better if you showed it in multiple pictures or had a button on the picture to advance the stages more slowly. Just a suggestion. :)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Musicman41Apr 1, 2010. 12:25 PM

http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/piston-valves-explained-visually-t8157.html

Musicman41 in reply to MrCrowleyApr 15, 2010. 4:36 PM

Ah I see now. That helps a lot!! Thank You!

knex luver123 says: Feb 21, 2010. 7:17 PM

oops i said that in my friends login, he came over and we got on, he is cboyer123, so that was me.

cboyer123 says: Feb 21, 2010. 7:12 PM

no prob, now this was only at my local lowes, and your local lowes might not have the 1.5" sdr21 pvc piping, so dont get mad if it isn't there, but yes, only trustowes piping, my friend said his home depot one blew apart, so i built two of the same canoon (simple bal valve) with the same sch, and the home depot one blew up, and the lowes one owned, so i only trustlowes pipe.

audio8448 says: Feb 21, 2010. 6:06 PM

thanks knex luver123! i have an air cannon that i should be able to make another barrel for using the sdr21 pipe

knex luver123 says: Feb 21, 2010. 4:42 PM

cuz iv dun it accesable with the deodereant one, and never needed yo acessit, and i think after 20 minutes i lose some air, and would like the maxikum amount of air for the bird removal.

knex luver123 says: Feb 21, 2010. 4:09 PM

oh and Mrcrowley, with the qwooden piston from your other cannon, do you still need the piston housing to be accessable?

knex luver123 says: Feb 21, 2010. 4:05 PM

audio8448, i foud it in my local lowes, and didn't really find what i wanted at all at home depot, and lowes piping is way better quality, if this will help at all.

knex luver123 says: Feb 20, 2010. 7:05 PM

i made it completily out of metal, and shoot it at 300 psi, and shot the ball, well i dont know, i never found the ball, but i am guessing around 600 yards. and then a custom (homemade lead slug) through 6 sheats of plywood!!!!!

pablorox says: Jan 8, 2010. 8:05 PM

How much did This gun cost?

bombmaker2 says: Aug 28, 2009. 7:45 PM

those poor melons

cowscankill says: Aug 20, 2008. 6:15 PM

im confused how this works. i wish you could make slightly better instructions, or more pictures of the inside.

it looks great, but i doubt i could make it right without better instructions. thats just how my brain works :/

akatsuki666 in reply to cowscankillJul 23, 2009. 8:02 PM

use his otyher instructable same thing just ignore the cartoon on the other one

biggy smalls in reply to cowscankillNov 27, 2008. 10:58 PM

i agree as well, shallow and pedantic

MrCrowley (author) in reply to biggy smallsNov 28, 2008. 5:23 PM

This was my first instructable and considering I had no construction pictures, just the final product, it was very difficult to write out so you could understand. Look at my other instructable, it's far better. They still lack detail because these are so easy to make I don't want 13 year old kids running around (or just using) cannons that can EASILY kill someone, when they have no clue to it's operation as they just followed step by step plans/ It's 'shallow and pedantic' for a reason, to save people. You guys just don't understand and i'm glad you don't as I wouldn' trust someone withone who doesn't know how to build it.

GBG77 in reply to MrCrowleyJun 5, 2009. 5:35 AM

Where can u find all of the materials????

Speedmite in reply to MrCrowleyMay 2, 2009. 9:15 PM

STEREOTYPER!!!!! I have never shot anyone with anything remotely dangerous excluding myself.

biggy smalls in reply to MrCrowleyNov 28, 2008. 9:32 PM

that was a reference to "family guy". but the point was that this instructable is not as easy to understand as the new one.

akatsuki666 says: Jul 23, 2009. 4:33 PM

no offence but this explains it much much better than ur other 1

Colonel88 says: Jul 2, 2009. 6:04 PM

I agree. The instructable is not so good, but the result is awesome. maybe better illustrations?

aflacgoose says: May 30, 2009. 7:54 PM

Amazing design!

Speedmite says: May 2, 2009. 9:26 PM

I read more and more of the comments, and I am shocked at gullible some people are. I am pretty sure this isnt the best instructions, no offense, and it might not be as good as MrCrowly's when you make it. Compare it to other thing in books and other sites to find the one to build that is right for you.

There are pneumatic and combustion cannons. Pneumatic cannons are safer and work up to 80 psi with my cannon. stronger PBC= more psi like 140. There are piston (like this one) and a much simpler valve one which there is no piston and one larger ball valve. I like the simple valve. and pneumatic.
Combustion are weaker at 15-30 psi, make a large boom and fire, and are more varied and simpler.

pneumatic is air pressure

coolpizzadude says: Jul 6, 2008. 4:38 AM

Will paint eat any chemicals in the pvc.

Speedmite in reply to coolpizzadudeApr 30, 2009. 8:23 PM

PBC isn't styrafoam. Big difference.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to coolpizzadudeJul 6, 2008. 5:13 AM

No.

imthatguy1125 in reply to MrCrowleyApr 6, 2009. 3:39 PM

well i have about 10 air gun i have painted 2 and those were 2 of the 3 that ev entually broke

zoltzerino in reply to imthatguy1125Apr 19, 2009. 1:25 AM

It depends on the type of paint - read the tins or speak to someone at your local hardware store (like B & Q or a small town one). I have absolutely no idea so i cant directly help you - just give you advice. Hope that helps. ZZZZ

imthatguy1125 in reply to zoltzerinoJul 21, 2009. 11:39 AM

thanks and those were before i had a whole lot of experience so i could of just done a bad job glueing them

Speedmite says: Apr 30, 2009. 8:21 PM

Simplify. Just put a single ball valve in and it works just fine. I can launch whole potatoes 250 ft with 60 PSI

sev17 says: Apr 30, 2009. 2:26 PM

this is my first instructable as a member, and its pretty sweet

SPRBEANERDAZD26 says: Apr 30, 2009. 11:03 AM

im berlye getting into this,well im tryinhg to mak a diffrent type of "pressure gun" but i also whant to make something like this ,id like ideas on how to release the air as fast as possable to get maxim release ,to get the object frther because by he time i pull the trriger its lost to much pressure

coppeis says: Apr 18, 2009. 10:09 PM

It can blow off a guys balls and nut sack clean off :D believe me I've tried and succeeded XD

raf34 says: May 28, 2008. 7:50 PM

does anybody know where to buy pvc so a golf ball fits in 1 1/2" the standard sch. 40 pvc is not large enough to house the golf ball

MrCrowley (author) in reply to raf34May 28, 2008. 9:25 PM

1.5" sdr 21 PVC does the trick. Do some bloody research before even attempting to build this.

imthatguy1125 in reply to MrCrowleyApr 6, 2009. 3:41 PM

where can i get 1.5 sdr

germeten says: Jan 1, 2009. 3:30 PM

Try adding 2 or more barrels in horizontal-parallel. Won't shoot as far but more balls at once. Attach cord or thin cable to eye-hooks screwed into golf balls, tie all the cords together at one end in a common knot. Now you have a compressed air bola-shooter for entangling the legs of escapees. Law enforcement personnel will love you.

robert says: Dec 31, 2008. 8:20 AM

Hey, I was wondering what else I can use as a sealing face for the piston because I can't fin neoprene gaskets. Thanks.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to robertDec 31, 2008. 12:47 PM

Rubber...Inner tube of a bike tire...just use your head, next time you go to the hardware store, look for sheets of rubber which you'd think would be a good sealing face.

robert in reply to MrCrowleyJan 1, 2009. 7:56 AM

Ok, and what else can I use for a piston?

dark sponge says: Dec 31, 2008. 9:18 AM

Wow, this Instructable is in 38 groups...

LED master22 says: Dec 1, 2008. 6:11 PM

HOBO

cuchulain92 says: Dec 1, 2008. 4:13 PM

One point I haven't seen in the "pneumatic madness" category of Instructable is thus: the closer to being spherical the holding tank is, the more efficient the device will be. This is true with combustion as well as compressed gases.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to cuchulain92Dec 1, 2008. 5:17 PM

I'd have no idea about the compressed gases thing, but for combustion yes. The least distance the gas has to travel and the more flow, the better. So it would seem a spherical chamber would be beneficial.

persut says: Nov 29, 2008. 10:05 PM

we carry some black powder salute cannons and golfball cannons here

http://www.pyrodirect.com/ccp0-catshow/SaluteCannons.html

berriesandcreme says: May 5, 2008. 7:43 PM

holy crap. reading the title sounded dangerous. i cant even hit a golf ball 400 yards! or drive. whatever u call it.

bob the builder #1 in reply to berriesandcremeAug 3, 2008. 3:15 PM

actually most of the driving ranges I've been to don't have signs out to four hundred yards.

Ora in reply to bob the builder #1Aug 17, 2008. 5:30 AM

Most professional golfers can't hit 400 yard drives consistently.

berriesandcreme in reply to OraAug 24, 2008. 12:14 AM

so they CAN hit 400 yards!? wow...

Ora in reply to berriesandcremeAug 24, 2008. 1:53 AM

I'm sure they can VERY rarely.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to berriesandcremeAug 24, 2008. 1:34 AM

I can shoot around 450 with my new one.

berriesandcreme in reply to MrCrowleyAug 24, 2008. 11:58 PM

omg! can that go through people!?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to berriesandcremeAug 25, 2008. 12:24 AM

Well if shot at the chest it would probably rip it completely open from the air pockets in the golfball dimples and I would guess it would exit in a destructive fashion. My guess is it would destroy a head completely. It would easily remove limbs and you would most likely die if shot.

Nitornos in reply to MrCrowleyOct 4, 2008. 11:54 AM

0.o *backs away*

cowscankill in reply to NitornosNov 28, 2008. 2:03 PM

HALF LIFE!!

_lambda

Tata4now says: Aug 21, 2008. 10:24 PM

hey man.. um this is my first cannon so i may seem like a noob to u but ive been thinking... couldnt u do away with the 3"-2" PVC Bushing by buying a bigger tee and putting the 2"x1.5" NSF-PW Sch40 PVC bushing in the tee with the barrel? or does the bushing have a good reason for being there? like a recoil reduce tool or something?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Tata4nowAug 22, 2008. 1:26 PM

Yes you could do that, this is an older gun. My new instructable changed a few things for improvement, so essentially it is a better version of this gun with a far better instructable how-to as well.

bob the builder #1 says: Aug 3, 2008. 3:09 PM

like the new blackpaint job better than "iraqi freedom"

EnigmaMax says: May 28, 2008. 9:50 PM

did...you invent this system? 'cause if you did, you just opened a window of opportunities!

MrCrowley (author) in reply to EnigmaMaxMay 28, 2008. 10:18 PM

No, pistons have been around since car engines. You can't really invent much anymore.

EnigmaMax in reply to MrCrowleyMay 29, 2008. 11:35 AM

yeah, but a piston used as a gun, I never thought of that.

AnarchistAsian in reply to EnigmaMaxJul 1, 2008. 7:59 AM

well, airsoft and bb guns use spring propelled pistons to shoot bb's GO AIRSOFT (and bb guns my parents won't let me get...yet)

AnarchistAsian says: Jul 1, 2008. 7:56 AM

ya know, watermelons and skulls have similar impact resistance...

AnarchistAsian says: Jul 1, 2008. 7:54 AM

it doesn't look pretty, but it does look effective from an anarchists point of view...

johndoe5595 says: Jun 3, 2008. 2:45 PM

This is so cool, i was wondering if you did this but on a smaller scale with ABS instead of PVC and instead of an air compressor a bike or ball pump. i made something similar to it but i just wanted to get your opinion on it, it seems like you know what you're doing. great instructable by the way!

MrCrowley (author) in reply to johndoe5595Jun 11, 2008. 1:23 PM

Thanks check out my new one:
http://www.instructables.com/id/GolfballAntennaNerf-Cannon---Build-One-That-Shoo/

johndoe5595 in reply to MrCrowleyJun 12, 2008. 12:20 PM

Man that is pure genius! that is so cool, I can not believe how powerful that is! Thanks for the great Instructables. You should be proud man. I've been trying to make something like this but never knew how. YOU ARE A GENIUS!!!

MrCrowley (author) in reply to johndoe5595Jun 3, 2008. 8:15 PM

ABS is rarely pressure rated and is not recommended for use in a pneumatic if it isn't pressure rated. So unless you are sure it's rated, don't use it. Otherwise sounds like a fine idea.

johndoe5595 in reply to MrCrowleyJun 11, 2008. 12:24 PM

Thanks! I just did this with PVC and gave it a couple of mods and it is amazing! i only have to pump it once and shoots more than 10 yards! I gave it a couple of features that make this easy to fire and make sure that there are no leaks. Awesome Instructable YOU ARE A GENIUS!

raf34 says: May 28, 2008. 10:27 PM

thanks for the feed back, do most plumbing distributers carry it?

thejrb says: May 22, 2008. 1:34 PM

I really like the piston idea behind yours and the dude who built the huge one. Just a quick question.

On the back of the tee connector you screwed the cap on for access. How do you get an airtight seal that way?

Also I've found if you take a pvc coupler of the right size and use a cap that fits in it also works as a piston.

black=coupler
red=end cap
blue= pvc sheet (found in pvc section at home depot)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to thejrbMay 22, 2008. 6:39 PM

Thanks. You'll need to use o-rings to get it to seal 100%. And yeah the coupler/end cap idea has been done a lot before, check out Spudfiles for similar piston cannons.

thejrb in reply to MrCrowleyMay 23, 2008. 1:49 PM

I am building something similar to this. Since all your pictures are the finished design I would suggest making another and taking pictures throughout the process. Hell, I might make one using a piston valve with the whole building process. I saw some of the comments you made about "refusing to tell them more" becuase you deem they aren't responsible enough. I get your point but thats what a disclaimer is for ;).

MrCrowley (author) in reply to thejrbMay 23, 2008. 2:24 PM

I'm actually making another one right now. 'Spose I could take some pictures while i'm at it. I was trying to stop stupid 13year olds from building this and running around the streets with them. I wouldn't get in trouble, I was just looking out for the possible victims of society.

thejrb in reply to MrCrowleyMay 25, 2008. 8:21 AM

Yeah thats true. Hey I made something like this and I have a huge 5 foot long 3 inch pipe for my chamber and can't seem to get it to work. Theres no leaks and when I release the pilot valve no air comes out of it. Whats wrong? The piston can seal ( I tested this by sucking on the barrel and trying to pick up the piston.)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to thejrbMay 25, 2008. 12:00 PM

You sealed it with your mouth? What are you using to pump the cannon up, air compressor, 12 volt, bike pump etc. And what pressures are you trying to seal it at?

thejrb in reply to MrCrowleyMay 25, 2008. 1:03 PM

Well to test that it sealed. I'm using an air compressor at about 100psi. I have given up on this and am going to try to recycle the parts and make a new better working one. I figured out the piston was seated to far up in the barrel not giving it enough time to travel back and block the pilot valve.

rownhunt says: Mar 13, 2008. 1:37 PM

Im going 2 try this with a small barrel so i can shoot pellets how far u think it will go?

thejrb in reply to rownhuntMay 23, 2008. 1:50 PM

You don't need a piston for that. Just a ball valve will work.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to rownhuntMar 13, 2008. 8:30 PM

Don't try it. You obviously don't know what you are doing.

crazy4airsoft says: May 8, 2008. 4:50 PM

Hey can you load airsoft projectiles in this AWSOME machine?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to crazy4airsoftMay 8, 2008. 10:19 PM

Yes as long as you use a sabot. google it if you don't know. I think I put a sabot in and poured in about 50 peanuts once :)

raf34 says: May 7, 2008. 8:37 PM

hey thanks i appreciate the feed back, i think ill be able to figure it out now

raf34 says: May 6, 2008. 5:20 PM

sorry one more question, on the image above do you have a 2" piece of pipe sticking out of the "t" towards the barrel and then the 1 1/2" through that? my bushings, female and male adapters look different and im trying to figure out how u got the 1 1/2" through, how long should piston be and how much space in between the t

MrCrowley (author) in reply to raf34May 6, 2008. 9:35 PM

On the barrel end I have a 2" female threaed adapter. It just so happened a sanded piece of 1.5" pipe fit in the back of this adapter, and it goes into the tee, it's what the piston seals against. This was done with metric fittings, which are slightly different to American/imperial. The 2" pipe sticks out the rear of the tee for the end cap to go on. People fail to realise you make a piston your own, there are no set rules as long as you follow the principles. it can be as long as you want and as long as there is enough room for air infront of the piston, the barrel can extended almost as far as it wants in the tee. It seems like you dont understand the principles otherwise you would know this, figure out how pistons work, and then maintaining the principles that make it work while building it. And it will work.

raf34 says: May 5, 2008. 9:31 PM

what kind of reducing bushing did u use, i tried shooting mine but all the air just shoots out of the pilot valve.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to raf34May 5, 2008. 10:11 PM

What do you mean reducing bushing? For the barrel? I just used a 2" female threaded bushing in the tee and a 2" male threaded bushing on the barrel. what pilot valve are you using? A 1/4" ball valve would be minimum but you would have to build a decent piston valve to get it to pilot on that, a 1/2" ball valve should do the trick. If not your piston is crap. Either it is stuck or it is not a good enough fit.

raf34 says: May 5, 2008. 9:21 PM

wut am i doing wrong man, i may seem stupid but the air just shoots out of the pilot valve and the piston does not do wut its supposed too. one other question does the reducing buching go into "t" ?

rharden says: May 5, 2008. 8:25 PM

bla bla bla

raf34 says: May 4, 2008. 2:21 PM

I like thee gun! i have a question though, does the piston have to fit inside the 2" piece of pipe?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to raf34May 4, 2008. 9:07 PM

No, but it's easier.

100psi says: Nov 25, 2007. 2:01 AM

And i Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really Really like ur gun lol

Ebrithil in reply to 100psiMar 5, 2008. 7:46 AM

was that really worth all the time it took to type all those reallys? btw, in case ya didnt know, u wrote the word really 140 times :P congratulations.

Derin in reply to EbrithilApr 22, 2008. 10:14 AM

wellwellwellwell wellwellwellwell wellwellwellwell wellwellwellwell wellwellwellwell wellwellwellwell wellwellwellwell wellwellwellwell we know copypaste

Lt. Duct Tape in reply to DerinMay 3, 2008. 8:56 PM

Oh, I'm sooooooooo sorry, Derinsleep, let me replace that. "Was it really worth the time to copy and paste all those reallys?"

Big Bubba in reply to EbrithilMar 13, 2008. 2:00 PM

so......... your the one who counted all those reallys :P congratulations

bob the builder #1 in reply to Big BubbaAug 3, 2008. 3:17 PM

actually he multiplied.

Lt. Duct Tape in reply to Big BubbaMar 14, 2008. 9:10 PM

thank you! ^.

Lt. Duct Tape in reply to Lt. Duct TapeMar 14, 2008. 9:13 PM

PS: i was Ebrithil, but I got promoted.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to 100psiNov 25, 2007. 2:34 AM

thanks.

Gavabc123 in reply to MrCrowleyMay 4, 2008. 11:20 PM

cool your a new zealander as well i thought i was the only new zealander on this website

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Gavabc123May 5, 2008. 12:51 AM

Microman (look below) is too. Have you made any cannons yet? BTW you should join www.spudfiles.com Worlds largest Spudgun databse, i'm a mod over there.

microman171 says: Apr 30, 2008. 6:02 PM

Hey Mr Crowley! I see you are a New Zealander too :D. I was wondering where you got your neoprene from? I have build one of these before but the inner tire tube aint the greatest seal. I have been useing a Warehouse brand pencilcase made of similar stuff to a wetsuit. I think this is neoprene but it is very soft (and when pressed with fingers it stay thin). Where did you get you neoprene? Thanks, Microman171

MrCrowley (author) in reply to microman171Apr 30, 2008. 8:01 PM

go to a Hammaer Hardware and ask for 'rubber gaskets', these are black or orange circular disks, about 3mm thick. They usuallu have a hole in the middle, but as long as the hole is smaller then your 'seat' (barrel) and you have a washer bigger then the hole to keep the gasket on, you'll be fine. You can also find them at Mitre 10 and Bunnings in the plumbing sections. Let me know when you've finished, i'd like to see what your cannon looks like. And make sure to use pressure rated pipe. BTW you should join www.spudfiles.com Worlds largest Spudgun database, great community.

microman171 in reply to MrCrowleyApr 30, 2008. 9:44 PM

Sweet :D We have a mitre 10 here in Matamata. And Tauranga isnt too far away. How much do these gaskets cost from mitre 10? And are they hard wearing? I would hate to spend good cash on one that doesnt last. I am a member already :D Just havnt posted anything.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to microman171Apr 30, 2008. 10:21 PM

like a few dollars, hard wearing? I used one on this cannon and it's still good, I doubt they'll wear out anytime soon.

They look like this without the three small holes:
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11479104/Rubber_Gasket.summ.jpg

microman171 in reply to MrCrowleyMay 1, 2008. 1:38 PM

kewl :D thanks for all the help you have given me. My gun is a coaxial with a 1 in barrel and 2 in outer. Im going to amke a video of it working when it is fixed. Im also going to start a thread.

microman171 in reply to microman171Apr 30, 2008. 9:49 PM

I think I was a member but something happened so I have Re-Signed up :D

MrCrowley (author) in reply to microman171Apr 30, 2008. 10:22 PM

ok, i'm a Moderator over there, MrCrowley.

penguin54686 says: Apr 30, 2008. 6:45 PM

I would say that that is a hole in a lot more than 1!

oannes says: Apr 22, 2008. 3:09 AM

congratulations my friend!!!it is one of the best on the internet!

MrCrowley (author) in reply to oannesApr 22, 2008. 3:22 PM

Thanks, heres a new video I made yesterday for it:
http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=pkejntZlQC0

TheAirSpecialist says: Apr 1, 2008. 1:37 AM

Nice, The most nice work i have seen done on instructables. You took the time and learn about what your trying 2 build. I am working on a .50 cal cannon that works on 10,000psi plus boost from igniting oil.

Lt. Duct Tape says: Mar 14, 2008. 9:17 PM

DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE I made one of these and i must say, it's AWESOME!!!! I shot eggs and old tiny tomatoes from my brother's truck (he was driving) at mail boxes >.> don't tell anyone please. I did it as revenge. don't ask.

Big Bubba in reply to Lt. Duct TapeMar 20, 2008. 6:50 PM

sure

thewhiteranger says: Mar 14, 2008. 2:04 PM

i dont know y but a golfball want fit into my cannon

twenglish1 says: Mar 13, 2008. 2:30 PM

do you think i could make the piston out of pvc that might be more durable

MrCrowley (author) in reply to twenglish1Mar 13, 2008. 8:29 PM

You mean PVC rod? Sure if you can find some that fits perfectly and you have an adequette bumper. Remember you can use pretty much anything as a piston.

twenglish1 in reply to MrCrowleyMar 14, 2008. 12:04 PM

ok thanks

blugyblug says: Mar 11, 2008. 2:07 AM

Does the pipe go all the way through the Tee? like into the middle? Because i dont really know what you mean by the "lip"

MrCrowley (author) in reply to blugyblugMar 11, 2008. 11:56 AM

Sounds like you've never held a pressure rated PVC tee before, in that case i'd say you should build something easier first. The lip is a raised section of the tee in the middle on the inside, and no the pipe doesn't go all the way through, it stops at the lip. \ You should really go for something easier before attempting this.

ummmmm says: Feb 14, 2008. 1:30 PM

hey......How much would the whole entire gun cost in the U.S? I'm 11 and I'm doing a science project on....At what angel will a air powered golf ball gun fire farthest? Plz reply.....SOON!

nkk07 in reply to ummmmmFeb 18, 2008. 1:14 AM

i can tedll that you are a kid because of your sto0pid name.p.s. im 11 too!

Shaino in reply to ummmmmFeb 17, 2008. 9:49 PM

45 Degree angle. Every time. on flat ground anyway, I don't know about a cliff or something weird.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to ShainoFeb 17, 2008. 10:16 PM

Wrong. Please don't give out flase information. The best angle is around 30-35 degree's, usually about 33. NOT 45, common mistake.

freshnessninja in reply to MrCrowleyApr 22, 2008. 4:58 PM

er, not really common mistake, more like common misinformation, i remember all my science books as a kid teaching me that galileo proved all the cannon captains at the time that they were all stupid, they were all using 40 and 50 degree angles. stupid school.

Shaino in reply to MrCrowleyFeb 18, 2008. 12:08 AM

my bad. my physics only work in a perfect world. Not mine. eh?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to ShainoFeb 18, 2008. 1:06 AM

what?

phoenix15 in reply to MrCrowleyFeb 27, 2008. 7:51 AM

In terms of distance from firing point and point of impact, with no air resistance, 45 degrees is optimum. From about 6ft up, 40 degrees. Although 33 degrees probably is best for all the factors in the real world, or for taking rolling into account. There are simple equations to prove that 45 degrees is the best angle.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to phoenix15Feb 27, 2008. 10:48 AM

This is the real world, no point making a science project when you cancel out so many factors. 45 degrees isn't the best angle to shoot it at, period. It may be on the chalk board, but not in real world, which is what matters.

Shaino in reply to MrCrowleyApr 23, 2008. 11:15 PM

As I reflect back on this comment it reminds me of one of my classmates. Small world (almost). just a thought...

phoenix15 in reply to MrCrowleyFeb 27, 2008. 4:57 PM

45 degrees probably isn't the best angle on an average day, but on a windless day, with one of the most aerodynamic objects made by man, a quality golf ball, it's the best place to start.

Shaino in reply to MrCrowleyFeb 18, 2008. 2:22 AM

45 only works with no air resistance. a perfect world in physics problem solving-ish.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to ummmmmFeb 14, 2008. 7:08 PM

Probably $50-$70USD. And I don't recommend you build this until your at least 14, piston valve designs are very complicated to people who haven't had much experience with physics, and are very dangerous to build. If it's a science project for school, don't think about it. Spudguns already have enough bad publicity, but for range, 30-40 degrees would be best.

ilovetea in reply to ummmmmFeb 14, 2008. 4:42 PM

You wont be able to build this, if your asking a question like what angle will it fire the best..you get the point. If you actually can build this, just experiment with the angle

ummmmm in reply to ummmmmFeb 14, 2008. 2:14 PM

qwerty_peter says: Feb 10, 2008. 9:34 PM

do you know a place that sells all the plumbing for it in new zealand/Australia

MrCrowley (author) in reply to qwerty_peterFeb 10, 2008. 10:09 PM

For NZ: Mitre 10 for fittings up to 50mm LG Carder or Reece for fittings up to 100mm. Aus: Bunnings Reece LG carder and Reece are plumbing merchants, harder to come by, but most plumbing merchants will sell most pressure rated pipe in their trade store. Warning, in NZ 50mm fittings cost about $13 each. And remember to get pressure rated fittings only.

dave1 says: Jan 30, 2008. 6:26 AM

I wound up using a home-made 1/2" piston valve made from L type copper tube and a 1/2" copper tee. Piston is again made from oak faced with gasket rubber with a faucet washer for sealing in the rear. The seat is a brass 1/4"NPT nipple turned down just a hair and sweated in so that it protrudes into the tee. I bored the tee out for more flow, and used the blowgun for venting. Discharge is instantaneous.

dave1 says: Jan 18, 2008. 8:30 AM

I built your very impressive gun. It's incredibly powerful. I turned the piston out of oak, 3" long with a gasket rubber face and a compression spring in the rear. Buffered it with foam backer rod. I cut 2 grooves for 2"X3/16" O-rings in the rear portion of the piston. Drilled an equalization hole 1/16". Lubed with silicone plumber's grease. I also felt that the connection between the piston and chamber (2"to3") needed to be reinforced so I wrapped it with fiberglass and resin. Now if I could just find a better way to dump the piston pressure. An air gun isn't quick enough although it works.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to dave1Jan 18, 2008. 12:05 PM

A blow gun doesn't have enough flow at all, you'll get a huge increase if you put on a 1" modded sprinkler valve. Go over to spudfiles.com to find out more about buying them and how to mod them. Even a 1/2" ball valve would be better. You should post it at www.spudfiles.com i'd like to see it. And congrats it worked out for you. Thanks.

XHorntail in reply to MrCrowleyJan 22, 2008. 1:24 PM

Could I use a non-modded sprinkler valve to exhaust? I need it to be electric. And how much would it cut preformance?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to XHorntailJan 22, 2008. 2:41 PM

Yes, probably not all that much, maybe a few FPS max.

XHorntail in reply to MrCrowleyFeb 28, 2012. 10:31 PM

Mmmmk.. Trying to make a paintball gun for under my hood to shoot through the grill. I'd like to get multiple shots, but I'm having a hard time finding a way to do that without regulators and whatnot. Could add a seperate reservoir and valve to fill the chamber after each expulsion, but you lose pressure exponentially after each shot that way.. Fun littl problem for me to think about though.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to XHorntailMar 4, 2012. 9:04 PM

You want to shoot at cars? Sorry but I cannot provide you with information if that is the case. Only reasonable way for you to do it judging by your skill level would to either just get a commercial paintball gun and CO2 tank, otherwise you'll be paying double for one that could shoot about 700fps compared to a commercial 250fps, but you'll have more issues to sort out and it wont be worth it. Why the hell do you want one hunder your 'hood' anyway?

XHorntail in reply to MrCrowleyJan 23, 2008. 1:39 AM

Not cars, pedestrians! lol, kidding of course. It isn't to shoot at cars though. I don't drive this particular car around, it isn't street legal, hasn't passed emissions, and hasn't been registered for a good five years. I really just thought it'd be fun to play with, try out, learn from, and whatnot. I've done alot of other pointless stuff to this car, it's just a hobby I guess. Push button start, 100k volt electrified "chassis tazer", replaced the onboard computer with a self-programmed micro-controller, I learned alot on that one! The car is sort of a way for me to explore hobby's. Learned to sew by making seat covers, then later on replacing the original fabric. I've learned alot with the beast! That being said, buying a paintball gun and rigging it up to servo's or relay's isn't much of a learning experience... I already have paintball guns and servo's, it just seems pointless to do that, I already know I can, no challenge there.

halomaster007 says: Jan 10, 2008. 7:30 AM

Wow! That's very impressive. Right through wood! My potato cannon has been altered to shoot golfballs, and I can't wait to test it out

Hawaii00000 says: Jan 5, 2008. 11:50 AM

What kind of pvc didi you use? I used the standard non-strengthened type and I was wondering what psi I can put in it.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Hawaii00000Jan 5, 2008. 12:33 PM

Non presssure rated? You can't use it full stop. Pay the extra cash and get pressure rated pipe. In NZ I pay up to 1200% more on pipe fittings then you do in America. So don't go cheap, just get the rated stuff. My pipe is rated to 260psi and it cost about $250NZD all together but in America you could make it for less then $50USD

Hawaii00000 in reply to MrCrowleyJan 5, 2008. 12:51 PM

I know now. I only do about 50 psi.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Hawaii00000Jan 5, 2008. 1:30 PM

Well next time use PR :) Now you're stuck at 50psi for that cannon.

Hawaii00000 in reply to MrCrowleyJan 6, 2008. 2:58 PM

I might even use copper next time. :-)

coryran says: Dec 28, 2007. 1:51 PM

The other day when I went to make the gun, there was no barrel that would hold a golf ball. The 1.5" pipe was too small. Did you modify the pipe or ball that you used?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to coryranJan 5, 2008. 1:31 PM

In NZ and Australia 40mm(1.5") PN18 PVC fits golfballs perfect, in America 1.5" doesn't work so you need to find some 1.5" SDR 21 PVC pipe, it's hard to find but I suggest going to www.bcarms.com and buy it for pretty cheap.

Lftndbt says: Dec 7, 2007. 4:26 AM

WoW!!!
Fantastic work!!
Not that you of all people need to hear it...... Must of read that a hundred times about your work.... LoL ;)
Damn it gives your work so much more cred in steps like this.... I know it's time consuming, but any chance of somemore of you cannon's up in here? The steps are fantastic....

Thank's for the pic's on the piston setup.... just couldn't wrap my head around the air "leaking" around the piston, but now I do.... so thanks...
Next one's going to be a mini piston..... prob 6mm... Mitchza has a nice one he hasn't posted yet.... Trying to persuade him to give up his plan's... LoL..
Anywayz back to SF for me...

Nice work!

MrCrowley (author) in reply to LftndbtDec 7, 2007. 1:33 PM

Thanks. I've got another 4 guns that are currently working, but they're all sprinkler valved guns, I might put one or two up sometime.

Lftndbt in reply to MrCrowleyDec 8, 2007. 8:41 AM

(removed by author or community request)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to LftndbtDec 8, 2007. 12:11 PM

Whats an instruction area? What do you want? For me to put up a few of my other cannons?

Xxbmxlord4lifexX says: Oct 2, 2007. 4:34 PM

o an one more thing....explail how the piston is built and works in the chamber...and what happens with that bolt thing....ok...

Lftndbt in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXDec 7, 2007. 4:18 AM

No not ok.... Are you really that thick? C'mon....
Not that I have spent all that much time on it... more of a direct flow, low cal man myself.
But MrCrowley has given the best (and your welcome to argue but google piston valve air cannon first please.), and simplest explanation of a piston valve I have ever read.... :)
I couldn't understand the principle, because of how the piston may get caught in the tee... And clearly from MrCrowley's picture's it has explained it. I am now confident to try a machined piston.... ;)

robert says: Dec 4, 2007. 8:47 AM

i think i get how the piston works but are there any other things that you know of that i can use as a piston? very nice cannon... i like the colors

MrCrowley (author) in reply to robertDec 4, 2007. 12:58 PM

Umm i think 1 1/4" PVC fittings fit quite well too.

robert in reply to MrCrowleyDec 4, 2007. 4:33 PM

like a coupler or something ?i am thinking of a rubber cement jarr

MrCrowley (author) in reply to robertDec 4, 2007. 5:12 PM

Yeah or an end cap, if you decide to sleeve the tee(piston housing) with 2" pipe like i did, just take some 2" pipe to a hardware store and see what fits in it.

robert in reply to MrCrowleyDec 4, 2007. 6:10 PM

alright man thanks ...and on the sealing face did you atach it to both sides?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to robertDec 4, 2007. 7:17 PM

No, on the other end is some rubber to act as a bumper so I don't damage the PVC when it slams into it.

100psi says: Nov 28, 2007. 5:11 AM

Which is the best fuel to use with spud guns in Australia/ new Zealand

MrCrowley (author) in reply to 100psiNov 28, 2007. 12:22 PM

With combustions? This is a pneumatic. Anyway with combustions the best fuel is probably metered propane or mapp gas. don't ask, do some bloody research.

100psi says: Nov 25, 2007. 12:09 AM

sorry forgot the pic

$C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Pictures\Picture 008.jpg$

MrCrowley (author) in reply to 100psiNov 25, 2007. 12:10 AM

Yeah i dont see why not, just get some 50mm PVC pressure rated pipe and see if it fits.

100psi says: Nov 25, 2007. 12:05 AM

And cut of teh twisty bit like i did

100psi says: Nov 24, 2007. 11:58 PM

Can u use a lynx Vice can for the piston

$C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\My Documents\My Pictures\150px-Lynx_vice.jpg$

100psi says: Nov 23, 2007. 3:13 AM

and when u shoot does it have to be coneected to the air compessure and how fast does it go in fps

MrCrowley (author) in reply to 100psiNov 23, 2007. 12:29 PM

no, you can disconnect it. About 150m/s which is about 500fps. With a 1.8m barrel i probably could get 180m/s and shoot about 450-500m

100psi says: Nov 22, 2007. 4:34 AM

If u put in the golf ball or sum thing wouldnt fall in to the chamber or something and how much do u think the hole thing would cost in Australia

MrCrowley (author) in reply to 100psiNov 22, 2007. 11:34 AM

no because the seat (what the piston seals against) is smaller diameter then the barrel, also the ball doesnt go past the threaded fittings. About the same i paid for it in NZ, $250-$300

Tripster says: Nov 14, 2007. 6:40 PM

Curious why you chose to shape the chamber as you did. Was it to make it look more like a gun? Or was it for functional reasons?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to TripsterNov 14, 2007. 7:19 PM

just to give it an interesting and different look, everyone elses are practically the same so i just mixed it up a bit.

JoeyJaroz says: Nov 2, 2007. 7:47 PM

This is SOOO sweet i saw the 25mm sniper instructable and want to build that but yours is so easy to do how can i say no to easy

MrCrowley (author) in reply to JoeyJarozNov 3, 2007. 2:18 AM

the 25mm sniper is easier to build then this, the sniper just has a complicated look, but uses a sprinkler valve, you have to build your own valve when making this.

liny says: Oct 31, 2007. 7:38 PM

Nice instructable. I like the idea of using golf balls but if that hits someone, it would be bad. Also, (newtonÂ´s law of gravity) if you shoot to the air, it will come down eventually. Some people have been killed like this -_-" Good instructable I liked it.

Xxbmxlord4lifexX says: Oct 2, 2007. 4:33 PM

(removed by author or community request)

Bright Shadow in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXOct 20, 2007. 5:38 PM

DUDE! I'm 12 and I can understand this!!!!1 XD

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Bright ShadowOct 20, 2007. 8:02 PM

DUDE NO WAY!?! I was 12 when i first learnt about these as well, nothing to be that proud of, just be happy you can understand it unlike some others.

Xxbmxlord4lifexX in reply to MrCrowleyOct 28, 2007. 4:48 PM

dude may i suggest to change the long peice of pvc uinder th ebarrelto a 3" peice....just saying...it will look more tough...lmao

Bright Shadow in reply to MrCrowleyOct 22, 2007. 5:05 PM

Well, one, you're not talking to your average 12-year-old. Two, I can understand ANYTHING when it comes to guns. I could tell you how a pneumatic gun works, a combustion, hybrid, OR A gun works. How yours works is this: open trigger, less pressure behind piston piston goes back, releasing all pressure in chamber

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Bright ShadowOct 22, 2007. 7:34 PM

yeah no crap, thats what i explained in this instructable. Like i said its not the greatest thing ever, pretty easy to understand, similar to how a cars braking system works but a bit different. why are you telling me this? i dont care a pneumatic doesnt necassarily(sp?) 'work' its the valve that works, not the gun in whole. if you put your mind to it you can learn anything so i still dont know why you are telling me this

Bright Shadow in reply to MrCrowleyOct 25, 2007. 2:23 PM

okay! *shuts up*

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXOct 2, 2007. 6:06 PM

no. I made these instructions hard to understand for a reason. If i spoon feed you how to make this you wont respect it, people will get hurt. Learn how to build it first. if you cant learn from this, tough, study these more.

Xxbmxlord4lifexX in reply to MrCrowleyOct 3, 2007. 12:02 PM

ok dude...do u think i wanted to get shot....i went down towards the targets to set one up meanwhile he was realoading the cannon and he shot at me.....it hit my back.....at 300 feet and i know what it feels like....but i survived it....of course i was really bably bruised....but im good ith these....an i said before....I TAKE SAFTEY FIRST...an alls i want to know is how the piston works with the air because i only know things on combustion and explosion.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXOct 3, 2007. 12:53 PM

.... if you can't learn from the piston animation you don't know enough about pneumatics. Study more simple ball valve or sprinkler valved pneumatics first, pistons aren't usually attempted on your first pneumatic. If you don't know how it works from my instructions, you don't know enough to safely build and shoot one.

Xxbmxlord4lifexX in reply to MrCrowleyOct 3, 2007. 12:57 PM

ok...i know ball valve and stuff...and also the sprinkler.....well actually no......how does a sprinkler valve work?

microman171 in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXOct 25, 2007. 11:06 AM

just google it. I saw this gun first and thought WOW!! I wanted to build one but couldnt, didnt know how. Now I have make 2 rocket launchers and an air gun. I understand exactly how this works now :D I never did use a sprinkler valve though (to expensive where im from) The piston is actually really simple

Xxbmxlord4lifexX in reply to MrCrowleyOct 2, 2007. 6:21 PM

and believe me...i know what im doing with these guns....i take saftey first.....i already know how it feels to get shot by a 13 foot potato gun with a 4" chamber 8 feet long and a barrel 5 feet long....it was my first p-gun ever...

Lftndbt in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXDec 7, 2007. 4:08 AM

Well, you obviously don't take saftey first, if your walking infront of someone re-loading and get shot..... If there was any chance of it firing, you shouldn't have walked infront of it...... ;)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXOct 2, 2007. 6:28 PM

seeing as you got shot, i refuse to give you anymore information. this gun will kill you at a distance of probably up to 400m if it landed on your head, you would die at a distance of 100m or less if it hit your torso or higher.

Xxbmxlord4lifexX in reply to MrCrowleyOct 2, 2007. 6:18 PM

ok....i can make the whole model like the pvc an stuff but i just dont get how the piston works in that moving picture....i know everything else.....i dont know much about airpowered because alls i worked with was the combustion....i have like 5 potato guns...and a mini marble shooter so i understand alot...but its just that piston....and how the air gets around it and such....its like i have to guess how it works....

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Xxbmxlord4lifexXOct 2, 2007. 6:22 PM

you dont have to guess anything, ive got all the info you need right there. The amination is a bit fast but just watch it. just go to spudfiles.com and read. dont make a topic because i can already tell it would be stupid and i would probably end up deleting it. just look through all 500 cannons and you should be good.

casvandegoor says: Oct 27, 2007. 6:30 AM

Nice and clear instructable. I just modified my old potato cannon to one which can shoot golfballs. (only installed a bigger barrel and sticked a laser to it) It works better than before and is incredible acurate, thanks for the golfbal-idea!

casvandegoor says: Oct 27, 2007. 6:23 AM

I like you used a different system, but doesn`t it leaks? I use a bicycle valve to presurise the chamber and a big ball-valve to let the air out in one go, it can take 160 psi as far as i know.

Doctor What says: Oct 12, 2007. 1:38 PM

This is an awesome idea, way better than a regular potato gun. Strange Question: Does it have enough power to say, kill a person, if they accidentally get in your way?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to Doctor WhatOct 12, 2007. 3:33 PM

yes, very easily. You could probably kill someone from 400m away if it hit them in the head, and from 100m away anything around or above the torso will/should kill you

Doctor What in reply to MrCrowleyOct 15, 2007. 2:18 PM

That is really interesting to know... ...goodbye natasha.

BOMBOMBOMB says: Oct 13, 2007. 10:10 PM

One of my most favourite guns to date @Bmxlord4life Dude just search how piston valves work understand and then continue. Why does the picture have to be on this website just search it on another if you wanna learn Cheers Nato

iwantacuracy says: Sep 11, 2007. 10:56 PM

i made something along the lines of a golf ball shooter. i made a trebuchet for school and it could fling a gold ball 100m.

Doctor What in reply to iwantacuracyOct 12, 2007. 1:40 PM

You should write an instructable about it, if you still have it.

Vulcanator in reply to iwantacuracySep 18, 2007. 1:47 PM

I did too, for science olympiad.

sogemann says: Sep 19, 2007. 5:13 PM

personally these r the worst instructions ive ever seen half of the stuff u read u have to guess on how it looks u need to make step by step and have more pictures of wat ur building for instance step 4 i have no idea wat ur talking about i had to get a third party in my room just to figure out wat it meant . no lie ur gun looks amazing and id luv to make it but the fact is ur instructions r terrible now i give u credit for making an amzing gun but for a first time builder as myself (ive only made potato guns) this instruction list is useless

MrCrowley (author) in reply to sogemannSep 19, 2007. 5:23 PM

Also when I learned how to make something similar, with only a diagram of a piston and a picture of a completed gun, it took me awhile to figure it out too, but it was for the better so i understand everything involved, you have to study and learn these things, they are too complicated for a first time spudder who doesn't know what they are doing. Good luck finding better instructions then these. No spudders I know got step-by-step instructions, you know why? because it kills the fun of it, who wants to make something exactly like something someone else has made and you don't even understand how it works. Be original, do something for yourself, and spend some time learning these things, dont rely on others. The best way to build one of these, is study every piston cannon that is posted on www.spudfiles.com thats how I and everyone else did it, without instructions, we had to know what we were doing first.

ARVash in reply to MrCrowleySep 24, 2007. 8:54 PM

but that's not the point of THIS site..

See http://www.instructables.com/id/25MM-Pneumatic-Sniper-Rifle/?ALLSTEPS ?
^{-- just one I found with a good parts list. not necessarily a better gun.}
I mean the name is instructables.com, not without-instructions-instructables.com, nor is this spudfiles.com.

Using/Making a potato cannon doesn't take a bachelors degree, but a parts list might be nice. Also next time you make a potato cannon, try to keep Instructables in mind as you make it so that you can take pictures as you go.

I'm not dissing your gun, but the point is to give good instructions.

The concept of OpenSource information is not for each person to be individual, but so that each person can build upon each other.

My 2c :3. Nice gun btw :D.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to ARVashSep 25, 2007. 8:39 AM

I did give a parts list. read. You are right, it doesn't take a degree, I wish it did with how simple and dangerous these things are. I don't want 16,801 people replicating this gun, i really don't. I would prefer if only a couple olf people actually got around to making on e, and of those few people even fewer would get it to work, I feel more comfortable with that figure, imagine if you had 18000 people with one of these running around, chances are half of them would use them irrespoinsibly, because I spoon fed them information.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to sogemannSep 19, 2007. 5:19 PM

I made this instructable after the gun was assembled, very hard to do step by step once its finished. I made these instructions idiot proof, so that you have to know what you're donig to build it first, if you learn how to build it without being spoon-fed you will respect the gun and its power, last thing I want is 13 year olds running around the streets with something similar to this and they have no idea of its potential or the physics involved because i spoon-fed them. I made it basic for a reason, and a pretty good reason too.

MasterOfNone says: Sep 19, 2007. 6:28 PM

Nice instructable. Good luck with the contest. I have a question about the detail of getting the barrel into the piston housing (aka cylinder): how do you get a good glue joint without getting PVC cement all over the sealing surface of the barrel when you shove it through the fitting? Thanks.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to MasterOfNoneSep 19, 2007. 6:35 PM

it doesn't matter if you do, the glue is too thin to effect the sealing surface(seat) of the barrel, the neoprene sealing face on the piston should easily still seal the barrel as long as its flat.

MasterOfNone in reply to MrCrowleySep 19, 2007. 6:43 PM

Great. Thanks for the quick reply! I started one of these for my brother a while ago, but never got the piston the way I wanted it. I did add a small spring to press the piston against the sealing surface, since he would be using a bike pump to pressurize. I never had a good material to seal, however; the piece of neoprene mousepad looks like a winner.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to MasterOfNoneSep 19, 2007. 7:16 PM

Neoprene from a mouse pad can be too porus, foamy like and leak air into the barrel. I've got a huge golfball cannon in my garage from last year, my first attempt at a piston valve and i failed so i'll fix it up some time, just never give up/

Jikz says: Sep 9, 2007. 10:51 AM

would it be to impractical to add a manual pump to it to make it more "field worthy" as in not having to drag around an air compressor and hence a power supply?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to JikzSep 9, 2007. 1:52 PM

You could do, it may take awhile to pump it up though. On board CO2 would be a better option.

Vulcanator in reply to MrCrowleySep 18, 2007. 1:52 PM

add two 20oz co2 tanks with a regulator and attach it to the inlet.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to VulcanatorSep 18, 2007. 2:03 PM

Cost too much and pointless, why would you want to make this thing portable, far too dangerous.

dontwealllovebuda92 says: Sep 15, 2007. 7:55 AM

wow basicaly its a potato gun with golf balls

MrCrowley (author) in reply to dontwealllovebuda92Sep 17, 2007. 2:35 AM

well yeah, but alot more advanced. Thanks guys dont forget to rate it!

GarlandGreene says: Sep 13, 2007. 10:15 PM

Thanks! This helped me out alot.

kentek says: Sep 11, 2007. 10:18 AM

Great gun. I was thinking, if you could add a distance control one could play "Canon Golf". :-) Drive, chip and putt. How would you putt? Can you imagine a foursome of guys with golf ball canons all mounted on a golf cart (Hummer!)? This could be fun. A whole new meaning to "four"! kaw

The Lord Of Hurt in reply to kentekSep 13, 2007. 4:28 PM

for the putt, maybe u can use the cannon's blast to blow the ball in the hole. (while the ball is not in the barrel.)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to The Lord Of HurtSep 13, 2007. 4:45 PM

Yeah that could work, or unscrew the barrel and place the ball in the piston port, so effectivly you would have no barrel.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to kentekSep 11, 2007. 3:55 PM

The only way you could change the distance is by changin the pressure, after some fine tuning and tests you could get some reliable results.

thegunthing says: Sep 13, 2007. 10:10 AM

omg i want 2 make that so bad!!... if only my dad would let me:(

MrCrowley (author) in reply to thegunthingSep 13, 2007. 3:18 PM

I made my first gun whne my parents told me not to, after they found out it kind grew on them and now they dont care. Just show your dad how safe and responsible you can be, and use pressure rated pipe!

slipknotdude1987 says: Sep 11, 2007. 8:31 AM

could u make the chamber out steel pipe... or would it be better to do it out of PVC?

MrCrowley (author) in reply to slipknotdude1987Sep 11, 2007. 3:50 PM

Steel would be very heavy, but you could take it to extreme pressure of around 400psi. Not like you need to go that high anyway

pbpenguin5 says: Sep 8, 2007. 9:26 AM

ok i have to say that's an excellent design. I've make pneumatic cannons like these but nothing with a piston. Do u know if the piston helps instead of straight up air pressure?

CanadianPyro1 in reply to pbpenguin5Sep 8, 2007. 11:46 AM

This launcher does use "straight up air pressure", as with all pneumatics. The piston is simply the integral component of the valve. The difference is the fact that the piston valve opens faster than a ball valve, and allows more airflow than a sprinkler valve, meaning the launcher will have much greater performance.

pbpenguin5 in reply to CanadianPyro1Sep 8, 2007. 9:18 PM

o kk great idea by the way

MrCrowley (author) in reply to CanadianPyro1Sep 8, 2007. 2:20 PM

100% Correct. Good explanation, for those who don't know how a piston valve is better read Candianpyro's explanation.

carbon says: Sep 8, 2007. 3:34 PM

400 yeards? Impressive little thing. And it looks cool, too. :P I'm gonna make it. :)

wiiman07 says: Sep 8, 2007. 11:51 AM

mine blew up

MrCrowley (author) in reply to wiiman07Sep 8, 2007. 2:21 PM

Did you use pressure rated pipe?

Spokehedz says: Sep 6, 2007. 4:40 PM

Make the animation slower--that will help with the understanding of the physics. Good job though!

MrCrowley (author) in reply to SpokehedzSep 6, 2007. 6:49 PM

I slowed it down a bit by adding more frames, I also made it a little more tidy. If you know of a better way to slow it down let me know.

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fungus amungus in reply to MrCrowleySep 6, 2007. 8:50 PM

Whoa, it has some kind of quiver now. GIFBuilder allows you to determine how long each frame appears for.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to fungus amungusSep 6, 2007. 8:53 PM

haha yeah i noticed that, maybe its recoil :P Ok i'll check out GIFbuilder. Thanks.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to SpokehedzSep 6, 2007. 4:54 PM

Yeah i've been trying to do that, i will clean it up a bit as well. thanks.

ausisit says: Sep 6, 2007. 8:14 PM

cool man I was talking about something like this last night when my wife and I were going to bed. This may be a good thing for getting the vermin that keep attacking my vegetable patch. Nothing else seems to work so will give it a try. Thanks again

MrCrowley (author) in reply to ausisitSep 6, 2007. 8:31 PM

Haha this would blast away your vegetable patch while you were at it, drop into www.spudfiles.com register and make a topic and the members there incl me, will help you design a launcher pefect for your specifications. Though you can't discuss shooting animals on the forum officially, so just hint it.

Mace42 says: Sep 6, 2007. 4:26 PM

impressive. Thanks for the add!

oinkoinkzoopals says: Sep 5, 2007. 1:49 PM

this is incredible i love you

the machine says: Sep 4, 2007. 11:06 PM

Awesome, this'll help me a lot. Good luck in the contest.

Shifty45 says: Sep 4, 2007. 8:47 PM

Best instructable ever! Thanks alot this really helped me out.

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Kiteman says: Sep 2, 2007. 12:24 PM

A very impressive weapon, but I'm afraid it's a less-than-impressive Instructable.

There should have been more steps showing parts-layout, assembling the piston and housing (that's a trigger/valve system I've never seen before, and I personally need more details of how it's done), and less of the any problems, look at this website - I personally think that a good Instructable addresses any of the common problems known to be associated with the Make, or the Maker offers themselves to offer advice.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to KitemanSep 3, 2007. 10:52 PM

Okay check it out now, anything more i can add to help?

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Kiteman in reply to MrCrowleySep 4, 2007. 11:21 AM

Much better, well done.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to KitemanSep 2, 2007. 1:05 PM

I will be adding more tonight, im new to this whole instructable thing.

paaiyan says: Sep 4, 2007. 10:18 AM

Hey hey MrC, good job on the instructable. Think you have a pretty good chance, though I hope you don't win honestly. I'll be entering my project soon.

SpudGunExtreme says: Sep 4, 2007. 5:00 AM

Nice web interactive. Great job on the construction ofyour piston valve for this spud gun.

theRIAA says: Sep 2, 2007. 4:37 PM

how did you construct the T housing for the piston? how did you make it not leak, and have the piston slide around smoothly???

MrCrowley (author) in reply to theRIAASep 3, 2007. 10:22 PM

Found your topic on spudfiles. I actually replied to it, i will reply some more now, so check it out soon.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to theRIAASep 3, 2007. 9:17 PM

I added alot more steps and detialed insturctions. i hope it helped you.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to theRIAASep 2, 2007. 8:58 PM

Its PVC pipe, sleeved with 2" pipe and a 2" end cap bolted on. I had a few minor leaks which I intend to fix but for now JB weld fixed it. I lubed the piston up. More info coming soon, in the next few hours.

theRIAA in reply to MrCrowleySep 2, 2007. 9:42 PM

i wanted a little more detail. specifically: how did you connect the 2" endcap with pilot release to the 2" tee so it was airtight, but still removable? i see the screws, they will hold it together but they wont seal the endcap on airtight. do you have a bumper? also, your barrel could be a lot longer, ESPECIALLY if you aren't using padding for the golf ball. there is almost no friction so too long of a barrel (5 foot) wont effect your top range (600+ yards)

MrCrowley (author) in reply to theRIAASep 2, 2007. 9:51 PM

You seem to know alot, well done. Like i said the end cap seal isn't perfect but Im going to use an O-Ring to seal it eventually by cutting a piece of 2" pipe off, gluing it in the end cap at the back, jamming an oring down there then bolt it to the tee pipe. This will jam the o-ring in and hopefully stop leaks. Yes, my bumper is on the back of the piston, check out the piston pictures. Yeah but thats all I had left and its very expesnive here. Once I have some morew money I will buy a 1.8m barrel as thats as long as I want to go. But you are right, there is no wadding the ball fits perfect so lnoger barrel does give me more distance. You should join spudfiles.com you know alot already and it'd be great to have you there.

theRIAA in reply to MrCrowleySep 3, 2007. 9:35 PM

spudfiles has no information on stopping leaks in barrel sealing piston valve. all they say is: "get a tee, get a cap, make a hot glue piston, screw it in." that is all the information I have ever gotten off spudfiles. I have a gun about the size of yours except with a rainbird pilot release. I could never get it to seal and it wouldn't go above 60PSI (but it would still drive a 16 penny nail through a 2x4). Right now its disassembled in my closet, but today i got a 2" o-ring, and 6, larger, self tapping, sealing sheet metal screws and added o-rings to them too. Im gonna rebuild the pilot assembly tomorrow and start fresh.... and i got some 100% silicone just in case.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to theRIAASep 3, 2007. 10:47 PM

Also have a look at this: http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/how-to-seal-the-back-of-a-piston-valve-t4829.html

MrCrowley (author) in reply to theRIAASep 3, 2007. 9:43 PM

Ok, first of all spudfiles does, you just need to search for it, I came across a topic like that not long ago. Most people use plugs, which go inside the tee, they then make o-ring grooves in the plug and bolt it in which seals it. Since I used a end cap, its harder to seal, but I could just make o-ring grooves and it would be fine. Okay, so your piston housing is very similar to mine? You need to o-ring seal it or use JB weld. We don't recommend using hot glue as pistons, theyre cheap nasty and dont work great, its more a poor mans pisotn valve. Give me your piston and piston housing specs and ill see what advice I can give. Better yet make a topic on spudfiles so everyone can help you. You must not of looked on spudfiles at all, we have alot more information then that, we have so many different types of pistons its not funny. Just make a topic on spudfiles and ill help you out as much as possible. Thanks.

CanadianPyro1 says: Sep 3, 2007. 11:07 AM

This is the only launcher in this competition that deserves a chance at winning. Nice build Crowley.

MrCrowley (author) in reply to CanadianPyro1Sep 3, 2007. 12:33 PM

Thanks, if there's anymore info you guys want me to add let me know.

MrCrowley (author) says: Sep 3, 2007. 12:38 AM

Okay guys, more steps are up, detailing step by step instructions on how to make this beast. Any problems/issues/questions just comment and ill get back to you/

gotja says: Sep 2, 2007. 8:47 AM

kool so baxsicaly its just a pnumatic gun have u tried to rifle the barrle?

irwinner in reply to gotjaSep 2, 2007. 12:50 PM

rifling the barrel does little to improve the accuracy of a spherical projectile, if anything you would want to but back spin on it (like the hop up units in airsoft guns do) and it is a pneumatic gun, a barrel sealing tee pneumatic if i remember correctly

gotja in reply to irwinnerSep 2, 2007. 6:05 PM

o yea i forgot it shoots golf balls

i know wat hop up does but i never realy get how it works and how to add it on to a home made gun =P

MrCrowley (author) in reply to gotjaSep 2, 2007. 12:42 PM

Rifling the barrel on a sypherical object has almost no effect.

gotja in reply to MrCrowleySep 2, 2007. 6:05 PM

o yea i forgot it shoots golf balls

i know wat hop up does but i never realy get how it works and how to add it on to a home made gun =P

thejrb in reply to gotjaMay 22, 2008. 1:54 PM

Really all you need it for are airsoft guns that fire lightweight bb's. It puts backspin on the pellet (the pellet goes upand so to give it more range). If your firing golf balls you don't need backspin.