Thanks guys! Yes - that's a Manfrotto tripod without the head.

It looks better, but I still think the wooden board seems out of place. Perhaps a coat of black paint would enhance its appearance.

Apologies in advance for raising this super-old thread, but it was either that or start a new thread with an old cannon. I finally got around to giving this launcher ...

Looks cool, man! Keep us updated.

Really nice looking gun - and nice damage vid! Enjoyed it. Seems so much emphasis on pnu guns these days, really nice to see a combustion gun with some original features.

New videos shot with a high-speed camera:

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Music by my old band, recorded in '91

Sounds like you're good to go!

PVC does not conduct. However, it looks to me like your wires are crossed. IMO, even if insulated, the two wires are the closest point - closer to each other than the tips of the spark gap. Also, your gap appears to be a bit large for a BBQ ignitor.

Christmas eve: check.
Brother in law: check.
Frozen carrots: check.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oST4HBGPLEw[/youtube]

Got some o-rings today so I can seal the chamber at the barrel junction and try for a 2x mix with foil or scored soda can burst disk. Calculations show that if I ...

A quick update with a full-length photo and a short damage video.

Updates:

1. Cut down the stock to be lighter and more in line with how the gun looks.

2. Switched to hose clamps to attach the barrel assembly to the stock. There is also a screw at the back of the barrel to keep it from sliding ...

Mostly courtesy but also to avoid attracting attention. I don't get to go out of the city as often as I'd like and I do a lot of testing in the garage...

McCoy,

About strengthening the chamber, I would just suggest using schedule 40 pipe (3" is rated to 158 psi but has a 840 psi burst pressure) and then pressure rated fittings. If you want to go nuts, use schedule 80 for everything. Also, avoid drilling through the chamber mid-pipe, but instead go ...

Hi Starman, thanks for the comments.

Yeah, the stock is way too ghetto for this thing and I'm planning a much nicer one. I just couldn't keep up the patience! I wanted to fire it! Agreed about the tie wraps, too. I've already come up with a better way for the next stock.

Yes - the fan is on the ...

Very cool cannon! Can't wait to see more pics and.... vids!

How powerful? I just completed a cannon kind of similar to what I think you have in mind, although mine did not turn out "small". It's a 1" bore (48" long) with a C:B ratio of about 1:1 (3" chamber, 5.5 inches long).

One thought is that for more power, go with a larger chamber although some of that ...

I just tried soldering a wire to the tip of the BBQ igniter and was unsuccessful (the connector on the side was no problem). I even tried filing off the outer "finish" from the tip - still, no dice. Instead, I used the copper connectors that come on the wires included with the BBQ igniter kit.

You ...