The Explosives and Weapons Forum
The 1999 Archive
Homemade F.E. Air Cannon
UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone!
profile | register | preferences | faq | search
|
|
The Explosives and Weapons Forum
The 1999 Archive
Homemade F.E. Air Cannon
profile | register | preferences | faq | search
|
This topic was originally posted in this forum: Improvised Weapons |
| Author | Topic: Homemade F.E. Air Cannon |
|
killer_elite Frequent Poster |
posted August 05, 1999 11:35 PM
 
Homemade Fire Extinguisher Air Cannon. This device uses an empty fire extingisher which has been modified by drilling a hole in the side and inserting a VALVE STEM. The nozzle on the fire extinguisher needs to be a straight piece RIGID plastic tubing. If it isn't, then affix a piece of 1" PVC pipe in its place. You'll also need a bicycle pump to full the tank with compressed air. Even better is to live near a gas station which gives free air. You can shoot a variety of loads from this device including batteries, marbles, ball bearings and homemade darts which will be discussed in a seperate post. Don't under estimate the power of this device. killer_elite@my-Deja.com |
|
Andy Frequent Poster |
posted August 06, 1999 11:08 PM
What mechanism is used to release the air. Is it a valve? Is it a diaphragm system? Check out my biggest and latest cannon, my P.A.C. 5: http://www.calisland.com/apcg/pneumatic/agpac5.htm This cannon can shoot projectiles over 800 yards. Check it out! Andy- ------------------ |
|
poison Frequent Poster |
posted August 06, 1999 11:27 PM
I think it uses the regular thing that you squeez to put out a fire correct me if im wrong. -pois |
|
killer_elite Frequent Poster |
posted August 06, 1999 11:55 PM
To fire the F.E Air Cannon all you do is squeeze the lever on the fire extinguisher--the same one you squeeze to put out a fire. This fires the projectile out of the tube. killer_elite@my-Deja.com ------------------ |
|
ezekiel Frequent Poster |
posted August 07, 1999 07:14 AM
Does anybody know of the pressure rating of the valves on fire extinguishers? How about the flow allowed at its maximum pressure? I (will) have something a bit like andys pac5 on my site , I got the idea form some of those spud gun sites around the net. One thing I like about it is its use of a relatively low pressure (about 110 psi) in such a way to make a VERY powerful airgun. ------------------ |
|
Andy Frequent Poster |
posted August 07, 1999 12:32 PM
I am not sure what you are asking. If you are asking what it is like when I fire a projectile, then a normal potato usually goes just out of seeing distance. About the fire extinguisher cannon - You only have a limited airflow when using the valve on the extinguisher. What's the diameter of the valve? For example on a sprinkler valve used to let the air escape for a pneumatic spud gun, a 3/4" valve really only has an opening of about 1/4". However with a piston-diaphragm pneumatic cannon, an opening of 3" or more can be produced, thus increasing your distance greatly. Andy- ------------------ |
|
ezekiel Frequent Poster |
posted August 08, 1999 05:50 AM
Sorry , I was inquiring as to how powerful it was , what destruction happens to things it hits. Do you know the pressure rating of ball valves? (if there are many different ones , then some of the most common ones) ------------------ |
|
Andy Frequent Poster |
posted August 09, 1999 01:33 AM
Well, the only damage shots I ever did was when I shot a plywood target. It was 1/2" plywood and was set up about 100 feet away from the cannon. When I shot the spud at the target, it went through with ease. I once shot a potato at my friend’s tree house (with his permission). The potato knocked the whole wall in. The wall was old and rotten, but the effects of the cannon were impressive. I am not sure of the exact pressure rating of a ball valve. I know that with an in-line solenoid valve, the rating is usually 150 PSI. However the other style solenoid valves are usually 110 PSI, if I remember correctly. Andy- ------------------ |
|
poison Frequent Poster |
posted August 09, 1999 02:08 PM
I have a ball valve in front of me it is a brass on and its rated at 450 psi but these are more expensive then the plastice pvc ball valves that are rated at about 110-150 psi you can use brass on pvc tho and the brass ones are about 5-8 bux more then the pvc one. -pois |
|
Andy Frequent Poster |
posted August 09, 1999 08:28 PM
True, but it is not a good idea to go much over 150 PSI with PVC anyway. The PVC may say that the pressure rating is 300 PSI, but the joints do not come close to that. Andy- ------------------ |
|
prev. savage unregistered |
posted August 21, 1999 01:48 PM
whats the max pressure have you used in your chamber... mine, even with 60 psi has a great bow in the end cap.. i had to drop the endcap down from 4" to 2" to prevent this. does your end cap fit over the end or in the end, mine goes over? |
|
Andy Frequent Poster |
posted August 21, 1999 11:44 PM
For my large cannon (P.A.C. 5) I usually shoot at about 90 PSI. I have taken the cannon to 100 PSI before. I don't have any end caps over 2.5" that I use on my cannons. I have 4" male and female adapters that fit over the pipe. The slip joints seal fine, however the threaded joints leak a small amount. The cannon has such a large reservoir that it doesn't really matter anyway. Andy- ------------------ |
All times are ET (US) | This is an ARCHIVED topic. You may not reply to it! |
Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Version 5.38
© Madrona Park, Inc., 1998 - 1999.
