SpudFiles

So, I have 85% of what I need sitting there. It kind of seems like a waste to not build something with them

Fair enough. I guess you could always sell it for a few hundred bucks if you get bored with it as your cannons are quite powerful pneumatics and aesthetically pleasing as well as fairly ergonomic.

However, I am totally open to building something new.

What are your thoughts on what I should build?

If you want to stick with pneumatics; build a large piston valved launcher.

If you want to try a combustion: a 15" x 4" chamber with a 6' golf ball or tennis ball barrel with metered propane or MAPP gas and a 12v fan will be enough to impress. Something like that would be good if you want decent performance but better portability.

If you want to try a hybrid I'd recommend a burst disk hybrid using a union anywhere from 3/4" up to 2" in diameter. You want supersonic golf balls or tennis balls, go with a union at least 1.5" in diameter. If you want supersonic ball bearings, stick with something 1.25" or smaller. Hybrids can also be quite portable, similar to a combustion except you'll need a track pump if you're not near a car or mains.

You could use that valve for a pilot on a huge high pressure piston valve. You could try your hand at semi auto with the same valve, you'd just need a DCV and a loading mech. Really whatever you want, and if you wan to stay with your current design, hey then all the power to ya. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

I guess one thing I could implement on my next cannon (especially if I go with very high pressure like 600 to 800 psi on a 1 inch cannon) would be recoil compensation. I have linear bearings and glides along with small dampers I could use. That may be a cool gun, for sure. I always thought I would love huge recoil because it really impresses those who fire the cannon. But, when the recoil is so high that it hurts your shoulder and you physically cannot lean far enough forward to keep from being blown backward, I think it is time to compensate for that.

Matt

Sorry it has taken so long to get this cannon finished. I have been side-tracked working on my compressor. But, I have less than 4 weeks before I am heading off to Michigan to do some shooting. So, I am back on it!

I have the electric trigger finished (pics to come soon). It is a simple push button at the trigger location. The gun is disassembled and I am finish sanding it. I will pick up stain and poly today to begin finishing the stock. The aluminum parts are all anodized black and the steel parts will be off to the powder coater by next week to get some black as well.

I will post pictures when I have them.

Matt

Hey guys,

The gun is nearly finished. I will be assembling it this week.

Matt

Done.........

Done.........

MUST.... NOT..... FAP!!
Damn it's awesome - I even zoomed in to see if it isn't photoshopped or something - looks too good to be true

That is indeed very nice.

I think you just steampunked a starwars rifle...

I have one last thing to correct;

I have to charge the gun inverted to get the diaphragm to seal. So, I need to install a light spring above the diaphragm to push it shut.

I was ready for this, though. When I built the gun, I figured this valve would struggle to seal when sitting inverted like it is.

No biggie, though.

Matt

Holy shit, that's nice! I want one!!!

I have to charge the gun inverted to get the diaphragm to seal. So, I need to install a light spring above the diaphragm to push it shut.

With the pressure you are using, it doesn't matter if the spring is super light I wouldn't think.

Holy mother of fap. You know you've built a beautiful launcher when no one asks for damage pics

I love the way the obvious and exposed off-the-shelf parts in no way detract from its aesthetic appeal, amazing job!

[In a Scottish Accent] It's a real beaut'!

Excellent work!

Weere teh damage pics???

Amazing job! I really love the trigger!

I fired it in the shop at 350 psi and it penetrated two 1/16 inch sheets of aluminum with a steel ball. I am downright afraid to fire it inside at full pressure because this thing is approaching firearm muzzle velocity, though I have dry-fired it at 600 psi as a test. I need to get out to the range to really test it. I also need to dial in the scope. I have a sinking feeling my scope mount may not be extremely straight. It may take some time to really get it dialed.

I think the only real issue will be the fact that it is a single shot muzzle-loader. I think I will get a longer feed line so I can leave it connected to the compressor for easier refills. That way all I need to do is reload and hit a button to recharge the tank without coupling and decoupling for every shot.

As for the trigger, I have so much time in this gun, I really needed to find a trigger that did not require a bunch of custom machining. I am actually shocked how natural and comfortable that simple button is to use. Also, the mounting bracket is recessed into the wood so it does not bother your palm in use.

Matt