How To Make a Train Horn Gun (Impact Air Horn)

In today's video I show you how to make a train horn gun also known as an impact air horn. What's great about this portable train horn is it is quite easy to build and only costs around $80.
Available on Amazon -
Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit - amzn.to/3ElhmAJ
Ryobi 18v Impact Driver - amzn.to/3KI7rIE
This impact train horn only took me about an hour and half to build using basic tools and is very very loud! The seller on Amazon for the air horns or train horns states the compressor and trumpets can hit 150db. From my testing with my sound lever meter, I was only able to hit around 120db which is still very loud. I actually recommend wearing ear protection when using this for sustained periods.
Well everyone, I hope you enjoyed today's quick video on how to make a train horn gun also known as an impact air horn. It is a great DIY do it yourself project! If you have any questions about this portable train horn or impact train horn, please leave a comment below. I respond to all comments!
Thanks for watching!
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support my channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

SO fun and easy to build! Available on Amazon - Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit - amzn.to/3ElhmAJ Ryobi 18v Impact Driver - amzn.to/3KI7rIE

[@jeffvolk3756]

Thanks! I followed your directions and links, thanks so much. I Just finished my build Sept 2023, very easy, very fun. Like you said did not take much time to build.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Awesome! Enjoy! 🎺

[@MrChongWang1]

Just finished mine. WOW! Lots of creative uses come to mind.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Congrats on getting it finished! Glad it working well and loud!!! Yes great idea for protests! Lol

[@EclipedMemes]

A million ideas flow through my head when I watched this

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

😈

[@mlb6d9]

Thank You! I believe this is what I need to get my neighbors to bring in their barking dog

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I am sure that would shut the dog up. Lol

[@mlb6d9]

@@JMGENTERPRISES We're gonna find out!

[@Physco219]

​@Philo Beddoe it's been 2 months are you still alive?

[@mlb6d9]

@@Physco219 LOL - Yes! I successfully made my Train Horn, but haven't yet been forced to use it. When the day comes though......I'll be ready! ;-)

[@cujoedaman]

huh, didn't realize a dual horn setup was so easy... I need to mount this to my Honda Super Cub. That'll get people's attention real quick :D

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

That would be awesome! Turn some heads for sure!

[@JoeHusosky]

That's awesome 👍

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Thanks Joe! Yeah I am impressed with how it turned out and the sound level 👍

[@scrap_metal_magic]

You could wire that into your car and completely bypass the factory horn

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good idea 💡 👏 👌

[@ewfmatthew]

This is exactly what I’m going to do

[@PlacatePro]

And spent hundreds of dollars on installation unless you can do it yourself

[@scrap_metal_magic]

@@PlacatePro definitely do it myself it’s two wires and a bracket 😂

[@booobtooober]

Duh Thats what it's made for.

[@bc-guy852]

This is impressive as hell. More than just a novelty or toy - I'm thinking they could be pretty handy as an emergency alert system - for a jobsite or bear alert or camp alert system. Where did you come up with the idea?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good ideas! Never even thought about using it for those situations. I saw someone else build one on Pinterest and thought I would give it a try!

[@kenquinn84]

Perfect for ice hockey

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good idea!

[@S0larW1nd]

Great video, thanks for sharing! I tried to replicate it but it didn’t work. How do I know if the compressor is faulty? It buzzes but there is no sound coming and when I disconnected the tube I don’t feel the air coming from it either? Tried flipping polarity - still no sound, just buzz from the compressor :(

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Sorry to hear that. My guess would be a faulty compressor. You should feel air from the tube! Does the compressor make torque when you try it? Meaning can you feel it twist from the power or does it just make a subtle buzz sound. My guess would be the compressor.

[@NicleT]

But being able to keep the motor graduator you could vary the tone of the horns.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good to know. I'll have to try that!

[@user-tu5se6jy4p]

WOW!@ MY good🥶!@Super ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

😁👍

[@user-df6eb2qb2u]

Question for you. Mine does not have a prolonged sound when holding the trigger. The horn stops shortly after pulling the trigger. Is this normal? Maybe a bad compressor?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Hmmm. Yay sounds like a faulty compressor or possibly bad connection. It should continue the sound if you hold the trigger

[@bababooey827]

Put one on my kids big wheel. He’s a terror 😂

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Oh man! Lol

[@bababooey827]

@@JMGENTERPRISES right ? 😂

[@booobtooober]

How about using the tire inflator tool instead of gutting a drill?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good idea! You should try it!

[@anthonyshoaf7824]

I have like 4 or 5 Hypertough batteries and think it would be a little cheaper? But havn't seen one yet

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I'm not well versed on batteries. Hope someone else can answer that for ya!

[@Yu5b0w]

Any idea how to add remote control functionality to this?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

That would be awesome! I'm not sure though. Maybe some type of servo motor you could rig up to it?

[@ChrisMMcD]

Is there a point when you’ve drilled too much casing? I don’t think I went overboard dremeling but when I put screws back in the compressor can just slip out 😢

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I wouldn't think so. Maybe wrap the compressor in some electrical tape or something to widen it a bit

[@ChrisMMcD]

Thanks!

[@Johnny_Chingas13]

I bought the kit you linked in the description and the compressor doesn't even kick on when giving it power. The link also has several choices and I went w the one that the link took me to. Any ideas?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Hard to say. What drill and battery are you using? 12v?

[@Johnny_Chingas13]

@@JMGENTERPRISES it's an 18v Ryobi, but I got it figured out. Works great thanks!

[@trainguy9973]

I see 12v and 24v I know Ryobi is 18v which voltage did you buy for the horn?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

12v

[@trainguy9973]

So it doesn’t blow up the circuit?

[@bong75]

18v won't burn up the 12v motor of the compressor?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

So far so good on mine. I'll make an update if it ever fails

[@banana1658]

It will, if you use it for a long time continuously. It's a brushless motor so there pretty robust but yes it will burn out if you are just on it a bunch.

[@garrett9752]

Did u make those connectors or no

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

No, I just soldered them together

[@armandosolis3222]

Does it have to be an impact or can it be a regular cordless drill?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Funny I actually made a mistake in this video. The drill I have is just an 18v drill not an actual impact.

[@ROREAX]

The Ryobi P235A 18V One+ Impact Driver is the one you want - less cutting necessary.

[@jacobsmithjr]

I need that for my Big Wheel lol

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

That would be epic!

[@aragon3033]

How did you get yours not to make the squeaky sound? I was told it was because these are for 12 V and we’re putting them in the 18 V,just curious. Great video though.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Thats what I heard too. I've never tested on 12v and was told to use 18v. Squeaky sound would be weak!

[@banana1658]

Technically yes you are not supposed to run this on 18v however that's for an extended period of time since the motor is working harder from the extra voltage it will get hot and maybe burn out. 18v is fine as long as it's shorter use, like 20 seconds continuous use would probably be ok for safe use.

[@jeffsurles8890]

Thank you. I need this to let people know that texting and driving will not be tolerated

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good idea! I see that happening all the time!

[@patrickc.8676]

Texting and driving is dangerous, but rolling down your window, retrieving your air horn, holding it out the window and sounding it...while driving, doesn't seem much safer. Not to mention their reaction could be just as dangerous. But hey, have fun!

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@patrickc.8676 lol

[@Konkanikenny]

Great video. Can we use it for pesky drivers ?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I would think so! But be careful. It is very loud in a car. You may be better off installing them under your hood.

[@stevenunderwood2756]

@JMGENTERPRISES HELLO, I’M A NEW SUPPORTER/SUBSCRIBER TO YOUR CHANNEL. I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR YA…. CAN YOU SUGGEST A GOOD 4 TRUMPET TRAIN HORN KIT ?? I’D LIKE TO GET TBE SAME “FULL KIT” BUT AS A 4 TRUMPET HORN SET UP. THANK YOU! 😀 YOUR CHANNEL IS REALLY GREAT! 👍🏽 PLEASE KEEP THE CONTENT COMING! 🤙🏽

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Thanks for subbing! I actually looked around before I built mine but couldn't find a four horn unit. You could possibly buy 2-two horn kits and somehow splice them together. I don't know if it would be louder though 🤔

[@stevenunderwood2756]

@@JMGENTERPRISES I’ve seen others on YT and even quad-horns selling on FB marketplace. But when I reach out and ask them, they don’t want any competitors so they ignore my msg. Ahh well. Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated 👍🏽👍🏽

[@MrCASSKS6]

Hey will you build to sale? I would definitely purchase one.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I don't have the time sorry. You can find them online pre built though. impacttrainhorns.com/products/milwaukee-train-horn-150db

[@user-kj1od5ed7p]

I made one about 4 years ago

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Nice! 🎺

[@ultranumb21]

The drill isn't going to cover the compressor, is it. Like it's not going to be flush?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

No, its not a perfect fit. I just used some gorilla tape over the gap

[@ultranumb21]

@@JMGENTERPRISES I tired it with a 3/8 inch drill and it doesn't fit well and I noticed you have a 1/2 inch

[@kuinnsysrafael9560]

I made mine 2 days ago because I watched your video and I really liked the Idea. By the way I made the compressor fit almost perfect inside the drill case, it took me a little bit longer to dreamed but It doesn’t have any gap at all. Thanks for your video!!!

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@kuinnsysrafael9560 That awesome to hear! Glad it worked out for ya! And congrats on making it fit near 100%. I will have to try dremeling mine down more and see if I can get a better fit! Honk away!!!

[@w0bblyd0inkb0ink]

Isn’t dB measured from 1 metre distance?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I thought it was within a one meter distance

[@butchgreene8718]

This might work to shut the people up next door who turned what was a quiet wooded community into an AirBNB party house every 3 days.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Ah sorry. That's gotta be obnoxious. Is there a city ordinance quiet hour? If so, I would be calling the cops at that hour sharply.

[@michaelneutral7865]

I got tinnitus just from watching this video. Kind of want to make one

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Haha. It is very loud that's is startling even when you know it's coming. Haha

[@mirchas]

I need this to warn the young kids to stay off my lawn

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

It would definitely work

[@troy6600]

How to shut up a metal drummer during his gig.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

😆

[@davekent20]

What a savings compared to buying the horns at Dick's Sporting Goods

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I haven't priced them at Dicks. But can imagine they are more. Lol

[@animetalk8132]

Imagine headphones users lol no one is safe evil

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Muahahahahaha

[@bababooey827]

If you watched a train horn didn’t see it coming. … whelp that’s Darwin’s Award candidates for you.

[@TheHillsHaveFPV]

i thought these were cool until i realized you're buying a 100 dollar tool for the 5 dollar plastic shell.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I only paid $50 for the tool

[@TheYoungerSemiOldMan]

Cool bro but I don't have tike for all that BS. Just buy it and done.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Only takes about an hour to build. But if you would rather just buy one I think they are $300

[@user-kj1od5ed7p]

This guy is late to the party I made one about 4 years ago

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Dang you ahead of the curve! Lol

[@user-kj1od5ed7p]

@@JMGENTERPRISES I think I posted twice I thought my post got deleted anyway yeah anyone who's been into electronics for a while can't see the connection between a drill a d using the body to host an air pump for air horn I have made a couple of them one of them out of an old 18 volt blue Ryobi Sawzall and a blue Ryobi 18 volt drill the Sawzall is a little larger but it is my favorite the blue Ryobi is the older 18 volt Ryobi stuff but they take the modern lithium Ryobi batteries oh and I measured about 600 watts with a fully charged Ryobi battery making it to the air pump motor using a amp clamp Style current measurement meter while measuring the voltage across the motor I am really surprised that my relatively old 4 amp hour 18 volt Ryobi lithium batteries don't go into protection or something when powering the air horn well I guess it's not that surprising because I am pretty sure that when I press too hard and stall my working Ryobi 18-volt Sawzall probably draws over 600 Watts from my old batteries actually I want to know so maybe I will measure and see how much power I am pulling from one of my old 4 amp batteries when I stall out my working Sawzall

[@kishascape]

Not a proper test. Invalid reading. You don't hold the meter up to the source like that.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

How would you do it?

[@popodood]

I also want to k iw how it's done

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@popodood I heard the sensor should be 1ft away for each foot the size of of the machine. So a 6ft machine, the meter should be 6ft. This horn is 1ft in size so I would think holding it one foot away would be accurate!

[@skydyverjym]

@@JMGENTERPRISES I've always seen sound and spl measurements and specs done/given at one meter. Not sure if this counts, that's usually in some sort of contained environment like a room or vehicle. But it' doesn't really matter here, it seemed extremely loud, not very loud, EXTREMELY. so how loud was it in real life?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@skydyverjym one meter is good to know! I read somewhere also that the meter should be one foot away per foot size of the machine. So if the machine making the noise is 5ft long, the meter should be held 5ft out. Don't know how accurate this is. The horns are very very loud in person. Honestly, I haven't used it much as it just draws a ton of attention anywhere you blow it. Lol

[@joshuabillmaier8082]

Y has to BE Allways a drill

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I don't think it always has too.