Vacuum Cannon

Make a simple cannon out of some tube and a vacuum cleaner.

Step 1 Find Materials

Find a length of tube. PVC or cardboard tube will work. Make sure you will be able to hook up a vacuum to somewhere on the tube, but not the end holes. Then find any ball that is close to the inside diameter of the tube.

Comments

[Paintballer98]

would this work if you used a elbow and another pvc pipe to make it an L shaped cannon, Im trying to build a paintball Milsim Mortar, to sell so I can by equipment for my 3 man speedball team (paintball)

[ALogan97]

I'm definitely trying this as soon as i get some PVC. It would make a great base for a new Nerf rifle I'm building

[The nerdling]

cool bike

[weldor]

This device is what is often referred to as an "air ejector" and can also be used to move fluids. A simlar device can be made using a garden hose instead of the vacuum and it can be used to move liquids, They are both used on board ships. The first unit is powered by steam and is used to remove pressure/creeate a vacuum in certain steam powered equipment. The second one I described is used to dewater the bilges and tanks. I know this from first hand experience. I spent ten years in the US Navy operating anda repairing shipboard machinery and equipment. Anchors Aweigh!

[hapman9]

dont vaccums suck stuff up

[ilpug]

they do. The whole premise of this cannon is that the vacuum creates a vacuum in the tube, and then air is allowed into the tube, propelling the ball out as it rushes in to fill the vacuum.

[hapman9]

Message me back cuz i dont really get it........ and i wanna try it out

[_Scratch_]

The way i understand it is that the vacuum cleaner creates a vacuum in the tube due to both sides being covered. Then, when the paper on the side that the ball is on is removed, air is sucked in to the tube (from the side of the ball) to fill the lack of air in the tube, thus propelling the ball to the other side of the tube because the other side is still covered, and breaking the other piece of paper.
So really the vacuum cleaner isn't pulling the ball to the other side, the incoming air pushes the ball.

[danm95]

Im realy tempted to make one of these and tall my little brother to put his hand over one end then mine over the other then move my hand and shoot him(LOLOL) >: )

[danm95]

*tell

[iq_abyss]

Does this work off of a ventury effect?

[SnakeFang217]

I saw one in my science class but with a 2" pvc pipe called a ping pong cannon; its pretty loud, it shot right threw a soda can. Dangerous but cool.

[y2kkmac]

Even though this may sound odd, use gorilla tape! It makes a kindofifyouwantittoobereallygood difference. Also, make the opening for the long tube (where the vacuum takes air in) large, and put a steel/iron/whatever mesh covering on the hole.

[tyeo098]

I made one with a makeshift onway valve on one end and a hopper on the other, materials: duct tape dixie cup card board

[debben]

Cool stuff. I did something similar for a friends stage-show to shoot confetti. Also when i made a potato canon i put a pressure relief valve to make sure i got enough psi.

[Fark 2111]

This cannon is really cool. But still, if there is a magezine, how fast can it shoot?

[xtremebuilder]

Intense! Great contribution.

[bean_machine]

This cannon sucks! literally! no, but on a more serious note, sweet project :)

[unclepunchy]

ah, i belive its a Bultaco Alpina...74ish? i got a 75 'Taco Sherpa T and they got a different tank... but we digress :P the cannon.... nice job!

[ehmbee]

Anyone riding a vintage Bultaco can't be all bad....neat project, can't wait to try it out with my buddy's 11 and 13 year-old evil geniuses, or is it genii?..MUUAHAHAHAHA!

[radiorental]

that looks like squid-labs/instructables HQ

[elemenoh]

Yeah! Great project but I have to admit that bike is a bit distracting... in a good way. :D

[brob]

Awesome. I'm digging the rather large looking workshop/garage space too. I wish I had that luxury. I have to use my dining room for projects.

[courtney]

That's a Bultaco. I'd say early to mid 70's flat track bike, probably a 350cc Sherpa.
Awesome!

http://epll.no-ip.com/Bultaco/miquel/Bultaco/lbultaco.htm

[mattgyver]

Definitely will try this! Also, to satisfy my curiosity, what kind of motorcycle is that?