Introduction: The World's Loudest Party Popper - the Most Portable Film Cannister Cannon
I first saw the Film Cannister Cannon over on SciToys. First CameronSS and then Kipkay both posted versions here, but this version is small enough to be pocket-sized, and usable as the world's loudest party-popper. It is also made entirely of re-used components.
Step 3 includes a video summary of the instructions, plus a firing.
Mind the lights.
Step 1: What You Need:
This make is effectively free, using materials you can scrounge and tools you probably already have.
A 35mm film cannister - the tighter the lid fits, the better, so try for the translucent white ones. I've gone digital, but I can still get loads of the cannisters by asking nicely at my local Boots photo counter (it saves the staff walking out to the recycle bin).
The sparking-unit from a cigarette lighter. I'm not a smoker, but they're convenient for lighting Bunsen burners. This one, though, was actually confiscated from a pupil caught shocking people in the corridor.
A sharp knife - penknife, Xacto, anything that can make short, clean cuts in the cannister. I would not recommend using a kitchen knife - the relatively long blade makes them harder to control in short, fine cuts, and more dangerous if you slip.
Fuel. Some people use hair-spray, SciToys uses mouth-freshener spray, but my fuel of choice is methanol (denatured alcohol, available in the US as camping stove fuel or Heet).
As an option, you may want to fix the sparker in place. Several different glues will do the job - Serious Glue, hot glue, contact adhesive.
Step 2: Making the Cannon.
It may be pure chance, but every sparker I have had out of a lighter has been slightly longer than the diameter of a film cannister. That is the secret to this version's portability. That, and the fact that this version is made upside-down.
Other versions fire the cannister, this one fires the lid.
Near the bottom of the cannister, cut a small hole that is just large enough to fit the sparker's button through.
Bend the wire of the sparker over towards the larger contact and make sure it works - press the button and watch for the spark.
Slot the sparker through the hole from the inside of the cannister. If your fingers are even slightly on the chubby side, you may find it easier to use a pair of long-nosed pliers or a pair of forceps to do this. Try not to move the wire too much. Check that the wire is still in the right place to strike a spark.
There you go, you've finished - don't add any glue until you have checked the cannon works.
Step 3: Firing.
Really, just a few drops. Five or six is plenty.
Put the lid on, stand the cannister on a firm surface, and press the plunger once or twice.
With the original fuel-load, you may be able to get two, or even three separate shots, each as loud as the last.
Health and Safety
When it fires, he cannon is LOUD. If you are indoors, your ears will ring - you may choose to wear ear-defenders.
The lid comes off fast - keep your face clear, wear goggles and never, ever point it at anybody.
Be aware of the fire-hazard. Whatever fuel you choose to use, it will (by its very nature) be highly flammable. If you use methanol, remember that it burns with an almost-invisible flame. Check carefully that excess fuel is not burning before you put the cannon down.
Step 4: At the Thanksgiving Table.
My family uses party poppers at the celebratory table - Christmas, birthdays, or just there's a load of us together.
Why don't you make enough porta-cannon for the whole family? If you use methanol, they can be fuelled up in advance (store them in an air-tight container to stop the smell ruining the meal). Hand them round at just the right time, describe the firing process and then count down ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...
BANG!
Just make sure the family pets are out of the
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192 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
But shocking people with piezo igniters is fun!
10 years ago on Introduction
u can make a large 1 out of plumbing pipe and shoot frozen orange about 100m
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
You need a spud gun - see the search box at the top-right of the page?
11 years ago on Introduction
Done. Fun. Thanks.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
You're welcome - thanks for commenting.
11 years ago on Introduction
my friend and I fill party poppers with airsoft BB's and tie a string to them and use them as claymores
11 years ago on Introduction
these are great. they can also easily be modified into a small potato cannon.
14 years ago on Introduction
What does kitewife think of these?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I think they're a blast!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
She just rolls here eyes...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
who is this "eyes" you are speaking to? :P
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I just looked at your profile. It sounds familiar. Do I know you in real life?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
"Loves computers, free stuff, cool technology, exploiting the aforementioned cool technology, and making bad attempts at being funny (this was one of them)."
Doesn't that describe, like...every nerd in every school in every country?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
True.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
not that I know of. my science teacher has a small lasercut catapult sitting on his computer, though...
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Ah, I thought you were an ex-pupil of mine.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
That's kind of funny lol!
12 years ago on Introduction
I remember beehard44 with one of those piezoelectric igniters. That was a truly shocking experience...
By the way, does Ethyl Alcohol (70%) work too.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
so does hairspray
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
ethyl alcohol burns, hairspray on the other hand.... lol