SGA Golf ball Gun (2" Piston), 400yards!

[MrCrowley]

Ofcourse I made it, who did you think made it?

[elitesniper]

the magical elves of course, they, invented pvc

[fireman565]

Ofcourse I made it, who did you think made it?

Mr. Crowley,
I read in your "How-To... 2in. Piston" that the section of pipe, on the pilot side, is inserted into the Tee until it hits the stop. I gather that the piston is actually inside this section of pipe.

Question/Subject #1 is:
Would it help with the piston if the section of pipe actually extended inside the pipe past the stop all the way up to the edge of the downward port of the Tee? not obstructing the port, just up to the edge, giving the piston that much more guidance?

Question/Subject #2 is:
The length of your piston seems approx. 3". Is this correct? You mentioned a 1-1/4" coupling also. Is using a 1-1/4" coupling sufficient for a piston inside the section of 2" pipe?

Thanks

the magical elves of course, they, invented pvc

And I wish those elves would drop off some of that pvc around my place.

[MrCrowley]

Ofcourse I made it, who did you think made it?

Mr. Crowley,
I read in your "How-To... 2in. Piston" that the section of pipe, on the pilot side, is inserted into the Tee until it hits the stop. I gather that the piston is actually inside this section of pipe.

Yes that is correct.

Question/Subject #1 is:
Would it help with the piston if the section of pipe actually extended inside the pipe past the stop all the way up to the edge of the downward port of the Tee? not obstructing the port, just up to the edge, giving the piston that much more guidance?

Well you would have to dremel out the 'lip' or 'stop' which would weaken the tee anf take awhile. I just had the barrel extend far enough in the tee so the piston is still balanced.

Question/Subject #2 is:
The length of your piston seems approx. 3". Is this correct? You mentioned a 1-1/4" coupling also. Is using a 1-1/4" coupling sufficient for a piston inside the section of 2" pipe?

Thanks

Might be, not sure. You really can't make an exact replica of my design, spudgunning is all about the improvising. Sure you can use a deodorant can as piston, but you will need to cut it to a length that suits your launcher.

An hour or two of measuring everything so it fits and the piston is the right length, doesn't hurt.

the magical elves of course, they, invented pvc

And I wish those elves would drop off some of that pvc around my place.

Same here

[fireman565]

Man, quick reply, thanks again.

I'm trying to incorporate a little of your type piston and create a gun/tennis ball launcher, a 2-in-1 deal. Something I can use to have a consistant 'pitch' for my son to practice hitting baseballs/tennis balls, but also be able to swap barrels and launch an object a quarter mile across the river. My plans are based around the TBL1000X2 twin chambered tennis ball cannon but use a close deriviative of your 2" piston design instead of the sprinkler valves Joel uses. I guess its a cross between his Mega-Launcher II and the TBL, TBL size with 2" pistons.

[MrCrowley]

Sounds good, just don't knock your son out

I'm actually writing an essay on war poems for English but figured I needed to relieve some stress, and what better way to do so then help out a fellow spudder.

[fireman565]

He's a tough 5-yr. old., or will be when I get this built.

I killing time in the wee hours of the morning waiting on the newborn twins to wake up to be fed!..

My biggest decision is to use 2" pistons or use 1" sprinkler valves. I'm not sure I will be able to get the pistons to fire at a 10-15 psi like I need to get the 40-50 mph I need with tennis ball/tee-balls. Still playing with GGDT.

Good luck on the essay. And thanks again.

[MrCrowley]

I've had this cannon fire at below 15psi before, but to decrease power for the tennis ball, you could have a short barrel with holes drilled in it, or possibly have a barrel that is too big for the tennis ball.

A 1" sprinkler valve will only launch a golfball about 250m max, so if you want more, you'll have to go bigger.

You could have a piston actuate at lower the 10psi, if you build a tight tolerance piston with o-rings.

[SNDM]

I refer to it as:
"Borrowing for an unspecified length of time, pending permission"

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I've had this cannon fire at below 15psi before, but to decrease power for the tennis ball, you could have a short barrel with holes drilled in it, or possibly have a barrel that is too big for the tennis ball.

I think low pressure and an ultra-short barrel is the best idea to preserve fireman565's bloodline while still maintaining accuracy, because an oversized barrel is going to lead to an unpredictable trajectory.

I'm actually writing an essay on war poems for English

Dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori, that sort of thing? Oh the adolescent memories

To get a real feel for the atmosphere, you need a good dose of this

[MrCrowley]

I'm actually writing an essay on war poems for English

Dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori, that sort of thing? Oh the adolescent memories

And 'Anthem for Doomed Youth', both by Wilfred Owen.

It is sweet and fitting...

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Makes you wonder about the "pansification" of society though - why should we be made to study the ramblings of whiny poofs sobbing away in their trenches, instead of the stories of real men who had no time for poetry because they were out there KICKING SOME ASS!

[MrCrowley]

This is my favourite <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erich_Hartmann">killing machine</a>, died on my birthday, though not the same year.


And no, it isn't Rambo

[Jared Haehnel]

Thanks for the link I had never heard of him. So much for the Red Baron.... sorry Snoopy

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

How on earth did they lose the war