NightHawkInLight Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 I need to build one of these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDx-mQqzYNw&feature=related I'm not sure I'm dumb enough to try an oxy/acetylene mix, but propane should do just fine. I need to give some thought as to where to find or how best to make a cone like that. Sheet metal and rivets possibly. Or as big a traffic cone as I can find. Just thought you all may find the video interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkInLight Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 (edited) I've discovered a little more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_cannon http://www.newtonsystemsinternational.com/ Looks like they don't do much of what they're supposed to, but they sure look like fun. The manufacturer site above states that similar cannons were fired by black powder. Building a small one that uses BP sounds pretty easy to accomplish. Edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr39f5t_Mdc Edited May 3, 2011 by NightHawkInLight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkInLight Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 And again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2fVjBd0xo4&feature=related This just became MUCH more interesting! Skip to about 2:30 into the video where it starts talking about coal dust...Gave me goosebumps with how cool that would be at a pyro shoot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMax Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 The coal dust thing sort of reminds me of the old coffee creamer trick for generating plumes of fire. Btw you could probably use one of those 3 foot plastic blow-horns they give out at sporting events. And again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2fVjBd0xo4&feature=related This just became MUCH more interesting! Skip to about 2:30 into the video where it starts talking about coal dust...Gave me goosebumps with how cool that would be at a pyro shoot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkInLight Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 The coal dust thing sort of reminds me of the old coffee creamer trick for generating plumes of fire. Btw you could probably use one of those 3 foot plastic blow-horns they give out at sporting events. Yeah I have made many a charcoal fireball 'creamora'. This is different though, as the fireball would actually be propelled at 100+mph by a black powder salute rather than simply being lightly lifted and floating away. I think I'll be making a trip to the hardware store tomorrow and buy some sheet metal and possibly a cast iron or copper end cap for the blast chamber. I've got a few ideas if I can't get that to work. Your plastic horn idea isn't bad, plastic might work perfectly fine for a good number of shots. Actually I suppose if I can just find a suitable cone that a fiberglass or hdpe mortar would do the trick for the chamber. We'll see. I generally do my best thinking while I'm trying to fall asleep or walking down the plumbing section of a hardware store. I'll be doing both quite soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondogman Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Yeah I have made many a charcoal fireball 'creamora'. This is different though, as the fireball would actually be propelled at 100+mph by a black powder salute rather than simply being lightly lifted and floating away. I think I'll be making a trip to the hardware store tomorrow and buy some sheet metal and possibly a cast iron or copper end cap for the blast chamber. I've got a few ideas if I can't get that to work. Your plastic horn idea isn't bad, plastic might work perfectly fine for a good number of shots. Actually I suppose if I can just find a suitable cone that a fiberglass or hdpe mortar would do the trick for the chamber. We'll see. I generally do my best thinking while I'm trying to fall asleep or walking down the plumbing section of a hardware store. I'll be doing both quite soon. I used calcium carbide in my old pvc spud gun. so its about the same. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killforfood Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 NightHawk, Oxy-Acet is a bit on the scary side. I think I would start with propane and work up. I had a lot of fun with Oxy-Acet when I was younger (translation, when I was STUPID) but I’ve learned a very healthy respect for it over the years. Last year an o-ring ruptured on my acetylene regulator. It pegged the gage and I had an instant flame thrower in my hands. I managed to get the bottle shut off but man did that scare my Son and me. Have fun, KFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkInLight Posted May 3, 2011 Author Share Posted May 3, 2011 NightHawk, Oxy-Acet is a bit on the scary side. I think I would start with propane and work up. I had a lot of fun with Oxy-Acet when I was younger (translation, when I was STUPID) but I’ve learned a very healthy respect for it over the years. Last year an o-ring ruptured on my acetylene regulator. It pegged the gage and I had an instant flame thrower in my hands. I managed to get the bottle shut off but man did that scare my Son and me. Have fun, KFF. Hence my previous quote: I'm not sure I'm dumb enough to try an oxy/acetylene mix, but propane should do just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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