SpudFiles

D_Hall wrote:I don't find the idea of hiring somebody from this forum as a joke in any way shape or form. There are some sharp people here. Yeah, there are some real twits too, but hopefully I wouldn't be recommending them.

Well, I wasn't being 100% serious, or saying that it shouldn't be done. Indeed, it's solely through this forum that Solar got me involved with the further development of the Eclipse - and I'm not going to be complaining about that any time soon.

My point was more that I can't quite see why your particular line of work would put one of us high enough up your "hiring" short-list that we ever become a serious consideration, as for the most part, we are something of a bizarre and rather ragtag band.
However, should you have such a list, I'd love a job blowing up crap for the government.

KRN wrote:Now that's a little harsh

My dear, you're welcome to hire him for whatever you can imagine.

However, on this point, I am inclined to agree with D_Hall says. Having no worries about potential safety issues in a situation like that is not something that would bode well for the work that D_Hall does.

Ragnarok wrote:My point was more that I can't quite see why your particular line of work would put one of us high enough up your "hiring" short-list that we ever become a serious consideration, as for the most part, we are something of a bizarre and rather ragtag band.

Rag, you're an engineering student with a sharp mind and an obvious interest. If you were a US citizen I'd be expecting you to send a resume my direction when you were getting close to graduating.

Unfortunately, since you're not a US citizen, I can't do anything for ya.


My point: You are precisely the kind of person I'd be keeping an eye out for. What puts you high enough up on a short list is simple: Engineering Degree + Demonstrated Interest In Energetic Systems. You were just born on the wrong continent.

Oh D_Hall, you must know that was a good while ago, before I knew about the dangers and built the beast without much regard for safety.
While I admit it was stupid and a reckless act, I should just let you know not to base your opinion on me about it.

D_Hall wrote:You were just born on the wrong continent.

You're not the first person to express a statement like that.
And that's not the first time I've said a statement like the above either - although I usually reserve it for when people say I look like Prince Harry.

Still, live with what you've got, even if that is British citizenship and a mild resemblance to royalty.

Demonstrated Interest in Energetic Systems.

Should I be worried that the acronym of that is DIES?

iisthemuffin wrote:I think if your not confident in something you build you shouldnt actually shoot it. If you are nervous that its going to give or explode then you probably are doubting that you built it right. And if thats the case, it will probably blow.

I designed it and am having if fabricated by professionals. I am nervous because this is uncharted territory for me. Also, the strength depends on the heat treat mostly and I am afraid they will somehow screw it up.

Ragnarok wrote:Still, live with what you've got, even if that is British citizenship and a mild resemblance to royalty.

Yeah, at least you have access to Europe...i've got Australasia...yay



Going back on topic, I have to admit i'm still sh|t scared firing my 2" piston valved cannon most of the time. Probably because i've had a similar cannon fail twice, one time was my fault (forgot the bumper) the other wasn't. Said cannon was eventually retired because I deemed it unsafe even though it was constructed properly with pressure rated fittings.

I frequently protect my family jewels, wear jeans and the highly recommended air soft safety glasses when i'm firing my cannon from the hip or close to my body.

I was thinking bullet proof vest, wrap around safety goggles and a helmet. Probably thick leather gloves, a cup and some sort of wrist and arm protection...maybe chainmail, like those protective shark suits.

You could even wear a bomb disposal suit if you got really into the PPE.

If you genuinely require armour plate on your body to fire it you're doing something wrong. There shouldn't be that kind of risk present in a handheld cannon.

I wouldn't feel safe using a PVC cannon.. the thing is that you can all get it cheap and it is more popular than malleable iron or copper... I always use metal... but still sometimes I am affraid of my guns

and I agree with D_hall that it's a good thing

I used a piece of cpvc on my new gun as part of a bushing 1/2'' copper-1/2'' coupling-3/4'' cpvc- 3/4'' tee whatever. and I regret it although I trust it will hold I would still like it to be all copper/brass/steel. BTW I suggest the 1/2'' copper-1/2'' coupling-3/4'' cpvc- 3/4'' tee as a bushing I didn't need to use anything to center the barrel worked 100% first time no problems but that may as well be fluke.

The thrill is what makes it exiting. Thats why I went straight for a big advanced combustion for my first cannon and am jumping up to a handheld hybrid of about the same size. Its going to be all 6061-t6 aluminum 3/16" min. thickness. It should absolutely not explode. But I still got the butterflies spazzing out in my belly.

Edit: not 6060-t6, but 6061-t6

MrCrowley wrote:Yeah, at least you have access to Europe...i've got Australasia...yay.

I'm perfectly happy with the UK, I've got enough parts to get by. It's mostly other people that complain about it.

Moonbogg wrote:It should absolutely not explode. But I still got the butterflies spazzing out in my belly.

This is probably because you're entering what for you is an unknown, and are probably thinking more in the "old school" way of thinking that hybrids are prone to exploding left, right and centre.

In reality, very few hybrids (even considering the small numbers that have been built in that) have ever become ground zero, and those that have were generally made of PVC, which is now generally frowned upon.
There have been a number of minor failures of hybrids, but they're not as dangerous as they're often painted as. Yes, they should be respected, but they're not going to require you to go out dressed like you're about to have to handle a riot singlehanded.

As a final note, should I not be really comfortable with using a cannon, I won't use it, and I'll check it over instead until I'm confident. Nervousness and concern are there for a reason, and that's not to be ignored.

POLAND_SPUD wrote:I wouldn't feel safe using a PVC cannon.. the thing is that you can all get it cheap and it is more popular than malleable iron or copper... I always use metal... but still sometimes I am affraid of my guns

PVC, at least the sched 40/80 stuff in North Amercia, is perfectly safe within it's operating zone and proper construction techniques. The stuff you guys in Europe use has always looked a little suspect to me, possibly accounting for your timidity in using it.

Healthy respect though, keeps one healthy...

The stuff you guys in Europe use has always looked a little suspect to me

No difference between the European/Australiasian PVC and American PVC aside from the diameters. Taking into account the Euro/Australasian PVC we are talking about uses the PN rating system.

Though I think you're talking about the grey PVC sometimes used by Europeans, as long as it's rated, it's the same stuff more or less.

starman wrote:PVC, at least the sched 40/80 stuff in North Amercia, is perfectly safe within it's operating zone and proper construction techniques.

The only problem I've got with that statement is that it doesn't come with a pedigree. More to the point: PVC is impact sensitive. How do I know some dolt at the PVC factory didn't drop that piece of pipe? It *should* be able to handle everything, but since he dropped it there are now microcracks... blah blah blah.

PVC gives me the heebie jeebies.