[Public-List] Air cannon?

[gdinwiddie at alberg30.org]

Michael,

When we got an 8" PVC pipe to store the Sunfish rig, I told your father 
that it was a potato cannon. I got the idea to buy a sack of potatoes, 
char one end of each with a propane torch, and dump them on his pier.

Never did it, of course. It seemed like a lot of work, and I'd already 
gotten the pleasure of thinking about it.

- George

On 5/2/22 7:04 AM, Michael via Public-List wrote:
> My Daughter bought a potato cannon over the internet for some high 
> school science project-with my credit card. I still have it someplace. 
> PVC, uses a fire system/water sprinkler valve for a trigger (that kind 
> of valve is an immediate open/shut), it's caliber is actually tennis 
> ball. Charged up with 150 lbs of air, well, let's just say I wouldn't 
> want it aimed at me. That could be regulated by charging pressure.
> The project involved students demonstrating non chemical projectile 
> delivery systems-trebuchets, catapaults etc. I don't think air cannons 
> were considered in the list of possibilities. The physics teacher's 
> quote was, after demonstrating, "Sarah, you are going to get me fired".
> Anyway, if you want to give it a shot (pun not really intended) I can 
> look for it. You'll need 1/2 dozen tennis balls or so to dial in the air 
> pressure, I wouldn't plan on recovering the balls unless a big open 
> field is involved (or dingy recovery boat), and an air compressor. It 
> holds air for more than one shot, and it doesn't take a whole lot of air 
> volume (I think one of those 12 volt car compressors would do it). 
> Accurate enough to scare the begeesus out of something to about 75 
> yards, I'd say. Total range a lot more than that.
> Michael Grosh
> #220

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