Water Balloon Pneumatic Cannon.

[Shoal]

I've been thinking about building a cannon that launches water balloons among other things. I'm not too familiar with the construction of pneumatic cannons, but for the basics, I'm planning on a 3 inch barrel, and the 1 inch sprinkler valve from BCArms for the valve type. I'm not planning on shooting anyone with this, because the balloons have the potential to cause harm flying at high speed.

[Spuddin]

i hope you get this built and working soon, i would like to see it in action. i tried this but the balloons kept breaking in the barrel, maybe they needed to be patched with cloth of some kind to keep the balloon from contacting the barrel. you will get alot of replys saying "search this site" etc. but all the info is here. hurry and build it.. ugh, im starting to sound like "them".

[XxtriviumxX]

I'm not planning on shooting anyone with this, because the balloons have the potential to cause harm flying at high speed.

There are much more harmful projectiles than ballons on this site.

If you are going to be shooting ballons, you will need to put them in some kind of shell or frame, maybe two pieces of foam will work, which will break away from each other as they exit the barrel.

Get creative

[tmacd995]

I would use a piston valve if you feel up to it or maybe two sprinkler valves. I built a cannon with a one inch modded valve and a 3 inch barrel and it was a waste of 70 dollars.
The flow is just too restricted with a one inch valve.
Good luck

[STHORNE]

try finding a 1.5" sprinkler valve. I've seen a couple in my days and bigger ports would increase performance (since you are using a larger barrel).

that, or you could just use a piston system...

[jonnyboy]

i hope you get this built and working soon, i would like to see it in action. i tried this but the balloons kept breaking in the barrel, maybe they needed to be patched with cloth of some kind to keep the balloon from contacting the barrel. you will get alot of replys saying "search this site" etc. but all the info is here. hurry and build it.. ugh, im starting to sound like "them".

I have shot water balloons out of mine. Make a cardboard disk to set them on so the pressure exerted on the balloon will be the same.

[koolaidman]

Guys, i dont think he needs to worry about flow restriction if hes shooting water balloons. If anything, that is a good thing, id even almost suggest a ball valve... not really tho. Id say stick with the 1" sprinkler, and use a long barrel.

[no-limit]

This one I have to see.

[koolaidman]

Also, a guy on this site posted exactly that gun you descibed. Here it is http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/water-b ... 13364.html. Just please! do not use dwv like he did.

[no-limit]

No such file, that's a good one.

[Biopyro]

http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/water-b ... 13364.html

I always wantede something like this, but I can't help but think the friction along the barrel would burst the balloon as it leaves the barrel?

[biged]

I launch water balloons all the time. I Sabot the water balloons in Dixie cups. The balloon is launched and the cup lands 15-20 feet away. I can reuse the cups 10+ over.

Each balloon is about the size of a tennis ball, which is what I also launch.
I use a 1 gallon pump sprayer to fill the balloons in the field.

///ed///

[Biopyro]

I just found this site. It seems like it's exactly what you need!