crazy golfball cannon

these are the general plans for an air powered cannon that will launch a golfball incredible distances. If the barrel size is changed you can shoot bigger things like tennis balls.

disclaimer: I am not responsible for what you choose to do with this thing. I will say it is unwise to point it at any thing that is living as it is fairly unpredictable.

Step 1 Materials

you need:
-the best pvc glue you can find
-one and a half feet of 4" pvc pipe
-2 feet of 2" pvc pipe
-3" of 1/2" pvc pipe
-2 4" to 2" reducers
-2 2" to 1/2" reducers
-2 1/2" female adaptors
-a 1/2" metal gas valve
-a 1/2" to 1/4" metal bushing
-a pressure gauge
-an air hose quick connection
-a 2" pvc water valve
-a 2" pvc Y

Comments

[Skrunch2050]

Well I made a hairspray propellant version and DID break my thumb.

[corrosivefun]

Howd you break your thumb?

[CaseBoy]

do you think you could post a pic of it. if been trying to make one and failed on 2.

[knuckel]

 nice.

[m0f0]

Heyy instead of using a quick release valve cant i just use the valve for a car tire?

[bennyk]

Hey muffin man what is with with the wash rag needed to keep a seal around the golfball! How much more larger is the pvc than the golf ball? How far would this fire a golfball? Im interested in perhaps making this Cannon it s a master piece well done.

[jonpersonals]

I want to build one of these too.  Now a golf ball will travel 3x farther withe he pock marks so I cant see why the big old cannons didnt use this? Maybe they never figured it out?
the french used huge balls in a pnematic milatary rifle.
How about sharing some info?

[d2j5]

how far does it shoot? { sorry if its in the instructions and i didnt see it} also what else could i use to launch?

[muffin man]

sorry it took so long to get back to you. i got it to shoot about 300 - 400 hundred yards before it started hitting trees.

[mikemmcmeans]

not really an instructable, more like a 'hey look i did this' make a sideshow

[muffin man]

i explained exactly how to build it. i believe that a simple slide show would be a "hey look what i did."

[covey12]

becarful those parts look like dmw pvc, which is not made to hold pressure, make sure all pvc part say NSF-PW or they will have a good chance of exploding

[tape fist]

This is a pretty simple but effective pneumatic cannon,the only thing i would do differently is make a longer barrel to increase speed an accuracy.overall good job

[ajk97]

how much did it cost and is it hard to open the valve when its pressuerized

[muffin man]

it cost bout 50 bucks. you want to make sure your valve is fairly easy to open before you build it and it should be bout the same when its pressurized.

[rock climber]

Very simple yet awesome cannon. I would just check the bell reducers and make sure that they are pressure rated. Still, you have managed to create an amazing gun.

[muffin man]

thank you very much. i worked hard on it and am very proud to call it mine.