Here is my finished golf ball launcher

Show us your pneumatic spud gun! Discuss pneumatic (compressed gas) powered potato guns and related accessories. Valve types, actuation, pipe, materials, fittings, compressors, safety, gas choices, and more.
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gwoloshyn
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:24 pm

Here is my recent cannon, its a 4" chamber with 1.5" fittings all throughout with a golf ball bolt action and barrel. Sprinkler valve is actuated by a blowgun which I mounted inside a 1.25" pvc length. Hose runs neatly straight to the valve. Its powerful as hell.. I could have done a better paint job, but I figured its going to get scratched eventually, as it already has.. Enjoy.
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rednecktatertosser
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:28 pm

HOT DAMN! Nice job! did you make the bolt action yourself or orger from BC? The only problem I see is the DWV fittings. OH NO YOU WILL DIE!! not really, just keep the presseru below 70-80 psi and you should be golden, so long as you used primer then glue. Again, good job.
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Pete Zaria
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:40 pm

Looks like a very fun gun to shoot.

As redneck pointed out, you have some non-pressure rated fittings on there, so don't go above about 75 psi. Some people say they're good to over 100, but you're taking chances there - that stuff tends to throw off shrapnel when it fails.

If you ever feel like redesigning this one or building another one, consider designing it so that the air doesn't have to travel all the way through the stock to get to the valve and barrel - this is very restricting. Look around the site, there are several examples of people that have built guns very similar to yours.

I'd love to see what a golf ball will do to a piece of plywood or sheet metal at 75psi. Give us a few pics.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.
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gwoloshyn
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:47 pm

lol, you two were also the first to post on my other topic about my piston valve i attempted. thanks!
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joannaardway
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:49 pm

It's not going to be the most powerful cannon ever, but it has got a nice looking design. You don't often see curved cannon like this because of the performance issues, but it's nice to see them occassionally.

As everyone else has said, next time, you need to find proper pressure parts, as the DWV parts you have there can't be used for higher pressures - and more pressure = more fun!
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mtronic
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:01 pm

Nice work mate 8) This thing is a massive beast! I really dig the trigger housing, I was thinking of trying something like that on my pneumatic...but failed miserably. So hats off to you :)
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experament-u2
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:23 pm

i like it
for some reason iv always preferred a gun with nice curves that make it feel more like a gun and not just a piece of pipe

its a great gun good job on it
oh and any chance of a video?
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spud yeti
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Thu Aug 23, 2007 11:51 pm

Looks really decent, pity about the DWV. Oh well, its still really cool. Good work
Just one thing though- please paint the red hose going to thhe sprinkler! It sticks out horribly! But thats just my opinion :wink:
really good quote/phrase here
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MrCrowley
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Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:21 am

Great plinker, as Joanna said it ain't the most powerful but it sure as hell looks fun.

Those DWV fittings are a shame, just keep it around 70psi and you should be fine, though im not guaranteeing your safety.

You have a bit of dead space, which is the space between your valve and chamber. This gun has quite a bit, it just gives the air more room to expand once fired meaning the pressure will drop slightly before it gets to your projectile.
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Bubba05
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Fri Aug 24, 2007 4:37 am

I LIKE IT!! looks kewl mate! where are your damage pics??

Bubba
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joannaardway
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Sat Aug 25, 2007 8:24 am

MrCrowley wrote:You have a bit of dead space, which is the space between your valve and chamber. This gun has quite a bit, it just gives the air more room to expand once fired meaning the pressure will drop slightly before it gets to your projectile.
Actually, in moderation, a bit of dead space can help on a relatively low flow valve like a sprinkler.
As the project is accelerating in the later sections of the barrel, it acts as a "reservoir" of air with much higher flow than the valve, keeping the pressure up.
It would need careful calculation to get it optimised, but it can help.
Novacastrian: How about use whatever the heck you can get your hands on?
frankrede: Well then I guess it won't matter when you decide to drink bleach because your out of kool-aid.
...I'm sorry, but that made my year.
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MrCrowley
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Sat Aug 25, 2007 4:29 pm

joannaardway wrote:
MrCrowley wrote:You have a bit of dead space, which is the space between your valve and chamber. This gun has quite a bit, it just gives the air more room to expand once fired meaning the pressure will drop slightly before it gets to your projectile.
Actually, in moderation, a bit of dead space can help on a relatively low flow valve like a sprinkler.
As the project is accelerating in the later sections of the barrel, it acts as a "reservoir" of air with much higher flow than the valve, keeping the pressure up.
It would need careful calculation to get it optimised, but it can help.
Yeah I understand what you mean, but wouldn't a longer barrel be more effective?
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joannaardway
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Sat Aug 25, 2007 5:03 pm

MrCrowley wrote:Yeah I understand what you mean, but wouldn't a longer barrel be more effective?
Yes - in most circumstances.
But there's big no reason for people to be worried by a little dead space in a launcher.
Novacastrian: How about use whatever the heck you can get your hands on?
frankrede: Well then I guess it won't matter when you decide to drink bleach because your out of kool-aid.
...I'm sorry, but that made my year.
Collo
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Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:22 pm

Great cannon mate love the trigger design and the general cannon itself ya should throw a movie and some damage pics on to
Collo :wink:
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