Improvised Cannons

So you want to build a cannon? I think nearly everybody is familiar with the basic idea of the Tennis Ball Cannon—some type of device that, when ignited, fires a tennis ball out one end. This sounds simple enough, but making a cannon that can shoot long distances (E.g., 100+ yards) can be a bit tricky.

The purpose of this document is to guide the reader through the production of a number of different types of cannons. Section 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 deal with the three types of cannons I’ve built to date. If you just want to build a cannon, … Continue Reading

A simple cannon can be made from a thick pipe by almost anyone. An exploding projectile can be made for this type of cannon with a CO2 cartridge. When the cannon is fired, it will ignite the end of the fuse, and shoot the CO2 cartridge. The explosive–filled cartridge rocket will explode in about three seconds.

This manual contains the instructions for the construction of an exploding–rocket projectile cannon.

This manual details the construction of a gas–powered tennis ball cannon with ignition switch, and the construction of the recommended propellant generator.

Full exploded diagrams are included with this comprehensive instruction manual.

This manual contains the construction and usage instructions for a very short mortar constructed for the express purpose of skyrocketing soft drink cans straight up into the air. It is crude, prone to rupture during use, and consumes rather inordinate amounts of Pyrodex. But it sure is fun, and it makes an incredible amount of noise when it goes off!

The quest for the perfect spark has brought us here. For convenience, reliability and power, nothing beats a stun gun. Stun guns come in a variety of voltages from 50,000 to 600,000. A 50k volt spark will ignite a chamber just as well as a 600k spark. Lower voltage stun guns provide battery economy, fewer insulation problems and obvious safety benefits.

Provides clear step by step instructions, aided by colour photographs, on how to construct the ideal ignition for your Spudzooka or potato cannon using a stun gun.

This potato cannon, or spud gun uses compressed air as the propellant. Compressed air is much more easy to regulate and hence, can propel ammo further that their ignition based counterparts. This guide includes instructions for making the diaphragm that controls the firing of the object.

Testing of hairspray spud guns revealed they can develop no more than 10-20 PSI chamber pressure. Most are built from schedule 40 PVC pipe. 3″ PVC pipe has a burst pressure of 260 PSI. People have suggested using other fuels to boost pressures higher, however this is much to dangerous. More volatile fuels can be … Continue Reading