Midsize Pneumatic Launcher II: Americannon Mini

[Velocity]

Cannon Name: Midsize Pneumatic Launcher II: Americannon Mini
Type of Cannon: Pneumatic
Chamber Size: 3" X 30" (254 cubic inches)
Barrel Size: 1.5" X 72" (127 cubic inches)
Gas Source: 26 Gallon Air Compressor
Valve Type: Barrel Sealing Piston Valve, 2" inlet, 1.5" outlet. Piloted by a 3/4" Asco QEV

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/uploader/uploa ... anding.JPG">

This is an update of my original Midsize Pneumatic Launcher II. I did not post it on spudfiles, but it is on Spudtech, if anyone wants to check out the original

Changes since original:
1) Removable exhaust system incorperated (can use on multiple guns, and allows for less bulkiness when not firing)
2) New paint job (old flat black one looked bad, and did not have a clear coat finish for protection)
3) Piston modified (springless design incorperated, new bumper system)
4) Stronger plug (2" x 3/4" galvanized steel bushing replaced 2" SCH 80 PVC threaded plug with a 3/4" hole tapped into it)
5) New QEV pilot (3/4" Asco QEV replaced 3/4" Detrol QEV; looks a bit nicer, and can be filled from either the in port or the out port, which allows this gun to be converted to a semi-automatic [possibly full-automatic if there was a proper air supply available] air cannon with the addition of a barrel with a magazine)

Enough rambling, here are some more pictures:
<a href="http://www.spudfiles.com/uploader/uploa ... G">Exhaust and Piston Stop</a>
<a href="http://www.spudfiles.com/uploader/uploa ... 5.JPG">The Valve</a>
<a href="http://www.spudfiles.com/uploader/uploa ... ide-Angled View of Whole Cannon</a>
<a href="http://www.spudfiles.com/uploader/uploa ... G">Another View of the Valve</a>

It is pretty obvious where the color inspiration for this cannon came from (<a href="http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtop ... 3411&">The Americannon</a>). Usually, with any other cannon, I would not bother to modify it once it was done. However, this cannon means a lot more to me. It was my first real foray into piston valves and advanced cannons. Sure, I had a crappy plinkler before this one; that was simply a test though (never intended to have any power or range), while this was a real cannon (plinker was used on the one day, and never again). Before this cannon, my best one was probably my dual supah-plus, and that means nothing, for anyone can simply make one of those, provided you spend $200+ on pre-made valves.

[schmanman]

rmich732, you're addicted to building piston valves, aren't you . nice cannon, looks really fun. the size is the happy medium between your americannon, and say, lucyinthesky's shiny assassin (which is really nice, too I might add). I want to build one now. I really like your work. get a tennis ball barrel for it. oh, and show us some damage pics .

[Velocity]

Thanks everyone. I definitely am addicted to building piston valves. I just find it fascinating how ~$30 in PVC components can be transformed into a beastly valve capable of dumping higher volumes of air faster than valves built by some companies (such as sprinkler valves).

I wish I could tell you how far it shoots, but I don't have a place to shoot it. But this thing is super powerful; close range shots are killer. I set up a recycling can about 30 feet away from the muzzle of the cannon, and loaded up 4 acorns, with a paper towel sabot. When I fired it at 30 PSI, the acorns knocked over the plastic can and left some heavy duty dents. This is at only 30 PSI!

I have not really shot any "good" ammunition out of this. I usually just wrap a paper towel in duct tape, and shove it down the barrel. Even though the ammo is crap, it still manages to fly really far (I shot my curb from 40 feet with it, and part of the curb chipped off ).

More barrels should definitely be added soon. These include a 1.5" SDR-21 x 60", a 2.5" SCH 40 X 60", maybe some kind of a 2" barrel, and hopefully a 3" X 48" barrel.

[schmanman]

what did you chip the curb with? (what ammo ?)

[Velocity]

I chipped the curb with the paper towel wrapped in two layers of duct tape

[killagorrila99]

Noice, Looks like chappy, dam buster and rna duelers gun. Loverly job there...

[SquishY]

Very nice, good job on this one. I need a little help with building my piston when I get the money, I can't wait to blast stuff. I have the greatest area to shoot, we could shoot the biggest cannon you could make and not be anywhere near hitting anything we wouldn't wan't to.

[ProfessorAmadeus]

Very cool. I love all the guns that you make and Im amazed of the power you say it has. The valve is very clean along with the rest of thhe cannon. This has motivated me to make another piston gun.

[Velocity]

Noice, Looks like chappy, dam buster and rna duelers gun. Loverly job there...

Yeah, kinda a combination of all three with a different paintjob. This gun is actually really old; I finished it on February 14, 2005. However, back then, it had no paintjob, primer stains, not all flush fittings, a Goyen 1.5" dust collector valve instead of the piston valve, only a 45" barrel, a support system made from cardboard, and not such a low-to-the-ground appearance.

It has come a long way since then.

Today I picked up some PVC parts at lowes to build a piston valve with a smaller length than this one. Hopefully, it will use "lathe-less" orings

[WOW!!]

I know this is old topic but that is sweet. After building my coxial, I prob wont go back to sprinkler valves for the mail valves. Just wondering what did you use for the piston?

[Velocity]

Thanks for the compliment. For a piston, I used 2.5" of 1.875" PVC Type II Rod wrapped in a few layers of duct tape. It sealed well and fit very well in the piston seat. You can check out a picture of it in the Launcher Failure Analysis Log