Build An Air Cannon for Cheap

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:06 pm

robotland wrote:
Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:Egad! Checked for battery operated fog machines and the only thing I can find are the albeit cool ass theatrical models for over $1000. Since playa dust till be everywhere, especially close to the ground, I may experiment with water mist although it is often too heavy to travel with the air ring as it passes through the atmosphere. You know those little ponds you see in gift shops with the ozone generatory thingy in them?
You can buy the fog thingys at garden stores- twenty bucks or so. Now: LOOK AT THESE:

http://www.zerotoys.com/newsite/products.htm

Yessss! I forgot about those. Just ordered a few of the "Wizard Sticks" to generate the fog with battery power. So, blacklight fog juice anyone?

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:48 pm

dj big E wrote:
unjonharley wrote:Searching hi and low for regulater for a lp gass cannon. It's made to freak birds out. Onehellofabang.[/quot

we had one of those devices in our camp two years ago fuck what a boom gave me a f ing heart attack a few times . If you find a spot to pick the whole kit up let me know. Nothing like a random boooom. lol

We used acetylene cannons on our pirate ship in 2002. PVC pipe plus water plus carbide with a sparker unit. Search on carbide cannons, there is a 1976 popular mechanix article (I think) on how to build them with complete specs, parts lists, sources, etc. They work pretty good and are cheap and about as safe as anything that is that cool (and are VERY loud, nothing outgunned us in 2002). If you use too much carbide, the acetylene/oxygen mixture is off and no ignition will occur until some of it bleeds off. The biggest problem is the slurry that results (from carbide + water) is a real mess, far worse than grey water.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 11:09 pm

Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:Hey, Jafe. Tell us more about the uv reactive silly sauce for putting in a smoke machine. That and a black light would make this a night terror on wheels!

I used a DJ "smoke" machine, cost around $100 (but requires 120v ac and alot of it). Actually, our vehicle had 4 smoke machines (2 for the engines, one for the dance floor, and one for the cannon). Probably why it broke down en-route, but I digress. You put the DJ smoke machine inside the cannon, and run the control cord outside. Fill the cannon with smoke (it stays inside so-so, you may get better results using a baffle to contain the smoke until just before shooting, but unless you are very careful when removing the baffle you will loose about as much smoke as if the baffle was never there, plus it is a pain, so we gave it up). When shot in COMPLETELY CALM air (even a slight breeze would ruin it), we could get 2-3 foot diameter smoke rings that would shoot all the way across my yard (50 - 70 feet minimum, would have gone further). You could definately feel them if they went "thru" your head (would take off a loose hat).

As far as the UV smoke juice, we got it comercially (but my link is no longer active). A search on UV fog juice should find some (and I think I still have a gallon or 2 left...). Combined with a UV spotlight (theatrical houses carry them) the ring was visible at night the entire distance. UV light bulbs (even in a reflector) did not work well beyond 10 feet or so, and the UV cold cathodes did not work at all (and I suspect UV leds would also not be bright enough). A spotlight was required.

However, I spent close to $1000 for something that I never got to use (due to the wind), and now 2 of the DJ smoke machines do not work (the playa dust seems to have killed them unless I can get the misting chamber open) and the $300 spotlight never made it back from the Playa (or got left behind in storage during the breakdown - I hope I find it when I go back thru this year). So be careful how far down this path you trod. Madness awaits.

It seems I will be among your neighbors this year. our camp, Blunderland, is seeking BMorg2 placement (and we appear to have gotten it).

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:15 am

Thanks a whole log, Jafe. I'm happy we will be camped in close proximity to each other, and hope you will find time to drink beer with me.

Great grey matter sacreets alike, yes? You are so right that wind is a factor I often forget, and a wind generating weapon could be like blowing out candles in a blazing building (quoting 80's band, Shriekback).

Even if we do something to create a cool effect, it may just be all that lame. Next best idea: make it LOOK deadly! With the guidance and artistry of Kernul Killbuck, we are going to make the thing look kewl next weekend.

Too bad on losing that fine UV spotlight. It sounds tres kewl. What do you think of these:

http://www.zerotoys.com/newsite/product ... nohead.htm

I ordered a few to mount inside and hope that they generate some smoke. We could have one of our privates run out and lift a flap covering the muzzle (so mist stays trapped) and crouch down with fingers in ears for effect.

Did you have any trouble with the thing filling up with playa dust and blasting it in people's faces? Not a welcome ordinance.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 8:29 am

Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:
Even if we do something to create a cool effect, it may just be all that lame. Next best idea: make it LOOK deadly! With the guidance and artistry of Kernul Killbuck, we are going to make the thing look kewl next weekend.

~
I keep looking at the new water guns out this year. Paint them silver-grey and they would look like Star Wars Stuff. Or use them for a model.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:09 pm

Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:What do you think of these:

http://www.zerotoys.com/newsite/product ... nohead.htm

I ordered a few to mount inside and hope that they generate some smoke. We could have one of our privates run out and lift a flap covering the muzzle (so mist stays trapped) and crouch down with fingers in ears for effect.

Did you have any trouble with the thing filling up with playa dust and blasting it in people's faces? Not a welcome ordinance.

The Zero toys pistol is what started me on my journey. But it must be hand held to work. To use them, you pull the trigger and push the gun forward, then pull it back. This forward-back motion is what generates the vortex (smoke ring). Check out this site (this is what I based my design on)

http://iml.umkc.edu/physics/sps/project ... ortex.html

To operate, one slaps or punches the rubber diaphram. The harder the slap, the better the ring. A slap that is not precisely concentrically alligned will shoot off at an angle.

There is also a piston based design using a linear accelerator that seemed promising, but the electronics are a little daunting for an old M.E. like me.

I am afraid that the Zero toys may not work as you hope, but then they will make excellent sidearms to defend with.

No problems with Playa dust (although I suppose if you were cruel you may be able to shoot a "Playa Ring" by droping dry Playa dust through a fan (to disperse it) into the chamber just prior to launching). Rebel forces did, at one point, seize control of the prototype and attempted to use psychogenic smoke (the exact nature of this fiendish substance was never precisely determined) as a means of stoning the enemy (without the stones). The Rebels did enjoy some limited success with their diabolical experiments before they were crushed by the rightious forces of the Empyrean, and the prototype cleansed of all taints and returned to proper service.

A less fiendish (and less costly!) technique could involve the use of multiple inscence sticks to shoot "scent rings". With the proper scent selection, the effect could be devistating to certain camps that tend to attract crowds late at night...

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:15 pm

oh yeah, I forgot to mention, if anyone wants to take the Vortex Ring Generator off my hands, it is free to anyone that wants to come to Boise to pick it up (it is 6'x6'x3' and weighs ~200 lbs). It needs some repair work, but is otherwise functional. DJ smoke generators not included. It currently has a very well rendered female face (from the eyes down) made out of foam, with the vortex ring oriface being her lips. This was a big hit in 2004 outside our camp, even though the wind made it non-functional, as it made an excellent photo-op (and wind shelter, 4 people can sit inside the mouth).

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 12:17 pm

Not to mention the devestating Rings Of Doom that could be generated with a couple of large orders of fried onions and some 3-bean casserole.

the_iconoclast · Post by **the_iconoclast** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:30 pm

Presently investigating a UV cannon.. may have a lead.

Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:Upon a suggestion here on E-playa last year, I used a 1 million candle power police spotlight covered with a "congo blue" color theatrical gel. Dimmed the hell out of the light and the effect was marginal. You just can't beat a real flourescent black light for the effect, and you can find 12 volt models pretty cheap that are made for automobile bling. "Cold Cathode" tubes may be another option. I've used these: http://www.elwirecheap.com/noname.html in different colors for under lighting. Fragile glass, though.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:24 pm

Cross posted on the bicycle taxi thread. Talk about a joy ride...

karine · Post by **karine** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:27 pm

Looks like a Chirstiania bike.. but the hills look like Nevada- I'm confused... Argh!

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:48 am

Yep, Sparks Nevadie. Who's Christiania?

Maoh · Post by **Maoh** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:05 pm

Looks pretty spiffy. Hopefully I'll get to see it in action on the playa.

Last year my Plushie Cannon got mistaken for "The Pants Cannon" a couple times. And a coworker told me that one of his burner friends took credit for the Pants Cannon idea, but had never built one. So did two seperate groups/people come up with the concept, one of which built one; or is the Pants Cannon a particularly infamous theoretical creation from only one group/mind?

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:55 am

Maoh wrote:Looks pretty spiffy. Hopefully I'll get to see it in action on the playa.

Last year my Plushie Cannon got mistaken for "The Pants Cannon" a couple times. And a coworker told me that one of his burner friends took credit for the Pants Cannon idea, but had never built one. So did two seperate groups/people come up with the concept, one of which built one; or is the Pants Cannon a particularly infamous theoretical creation from only one group/mind?

Yeah, there is only one pantzooka, something I cannot take credit for but wish I could. Something about shooting pants at the right person is just jock-ular!

My plagerism comes from the Airzooka toy designed by a former naval pilot. Just much larger and mounted on a trike. We're having a challenge getting the air charge to focus properly, time for a physics class? I'm experimenting with using a collapsable laundry hamper for an internal bellows... stay tuned!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:19 am

I can't grab a link to it, but in the current (#3) issue of MAKE magazine there's instructions on how to "make your own odor cartridges for your Stink Blaster"....an air weapon that apparently fires puffs of stench.

God, I love MAKE magazine.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:52 pm

robotland wrote:I can't grab a link to it, but in the current (#3) issue of MAKE magazine there's instructions on how to "make your own odor cartridges for your Stink Blaster"....an air weapon that apparently fires puffs of stench.

God, I love MAKE magazine.

I was thinking of you today, Robotland. My garage is beginning to look like your workshop!

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:21 am

Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:
robotland wrote:I can't grab a link to it, but in the current (#3) issue of MAKE magazine there's instructions on how to "make your own odor cartridges for your Stink Blaster"....an air weapon that apparently fires puffs of stench.

God, I love MAKE magazine.
I was thinking of you today, Robotland. My garage is beginning to look like your workshop!

Can we have a play date? I should be around your neck of the woods in, say, 28 days....

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:45 am

OK, but I get cranky if I miss my nap.

Progress: Great success using the collapsable laundry hamper as a bellows. Lightweight nylon really moves some air. Fortified the bottom of it with two sheets corrugated sign vinyl.

***Our weapon is now fully operational*** with the acception of the trigger mechanism. I need to talk to a locksmith about a latch that will put up with that much shear. It moves a nice woosh of air right at the target (me).

The new configuration does not make as cool a sound, but I will get some icecream truck music on it or something. Imagine kids waiving dimes at their doom.

Ready for death weapon decoration. Come back soon, Kenrul.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:44 am

Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:Ready for death weapon decoration. .

Now THAT'S the kind of talk I like to hear on a weekend!

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:57 pm

Trigger mechanism now functional. Replaced the door latch with a beefy one from a locksmith who looked at me funny. Simplified the spring supplement with a compression type around the exposed cable. Cocks and works great but keeps knocking the pull knob off. It's a gear shift lever. Maybe I need one that looks like a skull.

Stripped out one of the aluminum trunions- expected that. Using more bungees to counterweight the front and experimenting with other bungees for the bellows tension to get a longer throw to it.

I love weekends too.

Maoh · Post by **Maoh** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:43 pm

Damn. I wish [i]I[/i] could be that productive over a single weekend. I usually find out that I need a certain part, and spend the rest of the day running back and forth and around town trying to get it. *grumblegrumbleLemmonValleygrumble*

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:41 am

Roger that, Maoh. You know, it was another Lemmon Valley resident who gave me the idea that fixed the problem. Otherwise I would still be trying to make the old latch solution work. If we meet on playa, perhaps I can introduce you to him.

Maoh · Post by **Maoh** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:23 am

I'll keep an eye out for you. Head in the direction the flying stuffed animals are coming from.

Would that other Lemmon Valley resident happen to be whoever lives in the house with that old bus labeled "Comstock Comet" parked next to it? I ended up behind their Chinook on the road one day and noticed it was plastered with Burning Man stickers.

What's kind of range are you getting with your vortexes now?

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 8:10 am

Nope, that's another burner. Search for Hotwheelz camp here and you'll get a good clue.

The pull knob keeps getting knocked off the threaded insert so testing is down until I can get it fixed. Then I hope to get some measurements on the vortex length on a calm day.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:05 pm

Updates:

Click here for a mini-movie of the new muzzle cover release:
http://www.mutantvehicle.com/images/Apo ... eliver.MPG

and click here to see take a shot at Old Glory at 13 paces from the muzzle:
http://www.mutantvehicle.com/images/Apo ... uccess.MPG

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:49 am

we're DEFINITELY All Fucking Doomed, now!

Maoh · Post by **Maoh** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:01 pm

The squeaky noise matches your "Stand and Delivah!" so well.

Build An Air Cannon for Cheap

Re: big

Apokizooka