Anyone use aircannons here?

[bman111]

I just wanted to know if anybody here makes aircannons like I do. And no, im not talking about ones with hairspray in teh back and you push the ignitor or jsut a simple ball valve cannon. Im talking about the insane power of the piston valve/ modded sprinkler valves!

The cannon that is drying right now has dual 3in wide, 36in long chambers. These connect up to a 4 way tee taht houses the piston assembly in the back. The port from the piston to barrle is a 1.5in piece of PVC. (a 2in piece cuts off airflow around the barrle port) Although a modded sprinkler valve (could never get the things to seal ) or a QEV would be a MUCH better choice, a 1in ball valve works amazingly for the piston exhaust port. To make it open faster, i have it connected to a string, and it gives a REALLY fast release time.

The piston is made of milled alluminum and has 2 O-rings to seal it inside teh piston chamber. I SERIOUSLY need to lighten it though because it is way too heavy and has too much force when it opens and closes.

Now to the good stuff... With your tipical ball valve cannon, or combustion based cannon, you can hopefully get about 100-150 yards. Well, this thing at only 30psi (normal pressure for these things is around 70-80 psi) can launch a mini NERF football 181 yards AND not only was taht with my smaller cannon and a mere 4ft long barrel, but the launch angle was horribly steep. So i think 500-550ft is EASILY possible at 30psi.

However, there is a major problem with this cannon... I cant find pressure rated fittings for 3in PVC at home depot/ lowes, and I dont have the money (or patience) to order from mcmaster.com. But, I made sure to compare the thickness of 3in scheduel 40 pipe to the thickness of the fittings, but its still not the best choice. (but its not like i can go over 60psi anyway... im already shooting it over 450ft at 30psi )

Oh, and jsut so you know, i never shoot anything other than mini NERF footballs for 2 reasons.

1. They are safer, and the terminal velocity of the things is so low that they cant hurt anything.

2. They have absolutely INSANE range! ;D

[Grey Fox]

Do Govt. issue AT-4s count?

[scalpripper]

1. They are safer, and the terminal velocity of the things is so low that they cant hurt anything

wrong people like me would modify it to shoot something with a bigger umphh like golfballs........ and i know i am not the only one would do it.... so airsoft is WAY safer than an air cannon

[Sniper Wolf]

scalpripper said:

1. They are safer, and the terminal velocity of the things is so low that they cant hurt anything

wrong people like me would modify it to shoot something with a bigger umphh like golfballs........ and i know i am not the only one would do it.... so airsoft is WAY safer than an air cannon

You see scalp, people like Bman and Fox have built cannons that would be safe to use. Bman launches Nerf Footballs and Fox's I have seen and personally fired- it uses those litte balls they put in the ballpit at McDonalds. Neither of those are even close to being harmful to people.

And frankly, only a total asshole would load golfballs into a cannon and shoot them at someone, and yes- I would be willing to put money on it you're the only one (around here at least) that would do that to someone.

Now I'm gonna play devil's advocate as well. We tend not to allow these cannons in Ops (I know this, because we tried to use fox's in one and we all decided it better to leave it in the car for safety reasons) because although they use soft ammunition, there is no way to really regulate these cannons, and accidents happen. Which is kinda depressing really. I always thought they were awesome, but ya know. Safety rules.

[scalpripper]

i would never personaly launch a golfball at a person but i would launch them out of the cannon, and i play with someone on my team who is a big enough as to launch golfballs at people thats what my concern was

[El Phantasamo]

scalpripper said:

i would never personaly launch a golfball at a person but i would launch them out of the cannon, and i play with someone on my team who is a big enough as to launch golfballs at people thats what my concern was

I dont care WHO your'e shooting them at, you still shouldnt shoot golf balls at ANYONE.

Golf Balls have caused nasty injuries at golf courses for cryin out loud.

[bman111]

IM BACK! ;D

Yea, sorry ive been inactive for... a long time, but now its airsoft season again!

Over all that time, I have been perfecting my cannons. I got my piston valve cannon to launch a NERF football 850 ft at half power! And my new piston should be done today. (its a 2in piston, 1/5 in port.

And, i NEVER plan on using these at games (if pressurized PVC hits the ground... well, i wont be playing airsfot for a LONG time ) , this was jsut to see if anyone thought these were cool, or if anyone else builds these.