Pneumatic launcher (aka "Air Cannon")

[@timvarnadore2892]

I have been a licenced ham for 40 years and in the irrigation field for almost all of my life. (dad was contractor). I SOOO wish someone would have given me this information 40 years ago!!

[@halfmoontechlabs]

I know, I wish that I had built one years ago... so much simpler than many other methods. Thanks for watching!

[@poolman851]

Much safer then a fuel based rig. Very cool. Changeable barrels is a good idea for different needs. Looking forward to the next one.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

More to come, thanks for watching.

[@Terry-ej7bv]

this will definitely deliver a fishing bait/lure way out from shore right where you want it.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Yes, you could do some serious surfcasting (surfblasting?) with this !!

[@chrisb4419]

This is seriously cool, and just what I had wanted to do with my arborist tree access canon, which has a lever to operate, pushing the lever moves the barrel and decreases accuracy, though! That valve is brilliant and the arm switch is very fighter-jet. Nice build!

[@halfmoontechlabs]

I know the hand operated valves work, but I had the same reservations about how it could affect accuracy... and yes, the push-button ease with an arming switch just made it all-round easier and safer to use IMO. Thanks for the comments, and for watching!

[@kd4baoc612]

I've construsted several air cannons using the sprinkler valve solenoid electrical triggering method, pneumatic keying method with sprinkler valves, and PVC ball valve method. But I haven't ever constructed one with a barrel that long.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

As have I... And I find that the electronically controlled valve offers greater control and repeatability vs. the manually operated ball valve method, where there are far more opportunities for variability due to the tendency to twist or move the whole unit off axis during the shot. The speed at which you manually open a ball valve also drives how fast the air is released, which has a HUGE effect on the power delivered during each shot. Thanks for the comments, and for watching!

[@donaldsowers2384]

My design I tried to make the trigger a little safer; I used 3 pushbuttons, two on one side and one on a end. You have to press all 3 simultaneously for it to fire.

[@donaldsowers2384]

Okay, after thought, not simultaneously but all 3 have to be depressed for it to fire.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

That works. I have some small key switches too... might make for an alternate arming switch, though something else to lose, lol ! Thanks for watching.

[@cl4367]

Thats slick. Id like to see the projectiles with strings fire. Great work

[@halfmoontechlabs]

I may add a video of actual using it to put a line in the tree. Thanks for watching!

[@seeharvester]

@@halfmoontechlabs I'd like to see that too. It seems like you've got more firepower than you actually need. I can't believe I just said that! Everybody knows you can never have too much firepower! Actually though, at first I thought you were going to turn the air chamber pipe to the rear and make "stock" out of it. Like a rifle. I think you could probably do that with a bigger diameter pipe and have plenty of power to launch most plugs high enough to clear 100' trees. Especially if you use fishing line.

[@Rossithailand]

Your workshop is very neat and tidy ...............

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Thanks... still not entirely neat (background clutter, lol), but I try! Thanks for watching.

[@kimberlysaunders2894]

Just awesome 😎

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Thanks Kim!

[@tomhobbs6643]

The "Firing system " I have used has been a PVC ball valve. My son has a solenoid in the shop out backthat he isn't using SO, I just may appropriate it for my next "LAUNCHER project. I'm also a Ham and shot a PVC projectile well over a 100 foot pine tree on Winter Field Day. Wow have had the gang accuse me of 1. Shooting the satellite down😂😂 2. Putting a hole in the GOUCERY store 2 miles away. 😅 3. Mak I ng the most perfect shot over a tree for our 80 meter EFHW antenna. 😊 Had fun what can I say.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

They are more powerful than folks realize. I saw another ham accidentally fire one into the side of a pickup truck, left a serious dent for sure. They are fun though, you just have to treat them with the same respect as you would a firearm, careful around people, pets, property, etc. Thanks for stopping by!

[@howardirgang5779]

Do you have a wiring diagram for the switches for the valve? And what are ypur lengths of pipe? thanks

[@halfmoontechlabs]

The lengths are customizable for your purpose, but as mentioned in "Bill of Materials" section of video (chapters are marked) for my build, approx 5 feet of 2" PVC for "tank" which is on bottom, and approx 5 feet of 1-1/4" PVC for actual barrel as well. Firing circuit is a simple series circuit, in other words the circuit that I built goes from 9v battery through 2 switches in parallel (one a toggle, one a momentary pushbutton) to one valve wire. Last, the second valve wire goes back to second terminal of 9v battery, completing the series circuit loop. Some valves are finicky and want slightly more than 9v. If that's the case, then use two 9v in series. Note that this smaller 9 or 18 volts DC pulse is all you will need to fire a 24v sprinkler valve coil normally intended for AC use. Thanks for watching!

[@autokanada]

I got same irrigation valve and it says on mine valve input voltage : 24VAC , is your DC?

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Most are 24vac, but the coil can be fired momentarily with DC as well, it just requires a lower voltage... hence the 9 to 18 vdc requirement when using an ac valve. Thanks for watching!

[@markdoyle8713]

Ok I have watched a few of these videos and thought your setup was over kill . But then i heard the launch … i was wrong its perfect. I have Australians pines in my yard and when i rehang the dipole antenna after the storms in Florida this will work oh boy will it work . Thanks

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Yeah, it has a satisfying "thoomp" to it, and it can clear pretty much any high tree. Nice to have a little extra power because I'm using it to throw lines that are attached to the projectile as well, which adds a lot of drag. Thanks for stopping by!

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Thanks for sharing. I’m not sure when I’ll need an antenna in a tree. I am needing to do some high Limb cutting soon, not sure if it’s possible but will be fun trying. Thanks again.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Thanks for watching!

[@chrisvince5981]

Can you please tell me how the projectiles are made?

[@halfmoontechlabs]

For this build, I made a handful of projectiles by using 3/4" PVC pipe sections (3 to 4" long each), with the appropriate end-caps glued onto each end, but you may have to experiment depending on your barrel choice. I use pennies as the weights, and find 150g of total weight worked well for my use. I used a sander to gently remove the "nubs" on the outside edge of the PVC end-caps to ensure a proper fit. The finished projectile should easily slide down bore, not snug, but not loose either. Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!

[@ckt991]

so you mentioned 2 9v batteries but only used 1 correct? i didn't see another one.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Correct, some valves will fire reliably on just a single 9v, others may need a higher voltage. As it turns out, this one fired reliably on a single 9v battery, and so I did not need a second in this case. Nice catch, and thanks for watching!

[@sdavis7916]

Pretty nice, I'm building one this weekend for a company project for confetti. I'm going with a pneumatic trigger as it's simple and doesn't need batteries etc. Why did you go with the solenoid release instead?

[@halfmoontechlabs]

In a word... safety: In more words? In my opinion, the pneumatic trigger may be more likely to self-discharge if there was a leak in the firing circuit (pneumatic). I also obviously love electronics and designing stuff, so it was a personal choice that also made it very easy to add an "arming switch" function, to further prevent accidental discharge. Good question, and thanks for watching!

[@happycheese290]

G'day Mate, Just wondering how you wired up the 9v battery, solenoid wires, push button, and arming switch. Was a bit too hard to see. Any chance you could send a close up photo? or explain how you connected everything together. Thanks so much, really appreciate it!

[@halfmoontechlabs]

I can't post a pic in reply, but it's really just a simple series circuit. One wire from sprinkler valve to one terminal of battery, and then just daisy chain the second battery terminal connection in series through the two switches, also in series, and back to the other sprinkler valve wire. So the circuit is just a simple loop that connects all of these in series. If one 9v battery won't reliably fire the valve, a second 9v battery in series with first (18 volts) will do the trick. Can vary a bit from valve to valve. Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@RockDog101]

How did the 2 braces you attached affect barrel harmonics?

[@halfmoontechlabs]

By supporting in three places (barrel attachment, plus two spaced braces), the overall feel is very rigid, which totally eliminated any potential movement, resonance, or harmonic vibration. Only a deep satisfying "thwooomp!" can be heard when firing. Thanks for watching!

[@donz7992]

Built mine per your specs. Pressurized to 50 PSI but was getting a small leak. Probably slow enough to live with but I would like to know where it is coming from...if from the threaded connections should be easier to repair. Can't wait to try it.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

A little soapy water solution should help find the leak. Hopefully it's not in one of your solvent welds (glue bonded pvc), if so, you may need to re-do that section if possible. I also let mine cure for several hours prior to pressurization and leak/performance testing, as proper cure time is important especially when being used to hold compressed air. Good luck, and be safe. Thanks for watching!

[@donz7992]

@@halfmoontechlabs Yep; that was the next step and found it is indeed the threaded connections that are leaking, NOT the PVC! So I think all i need to do is remove the two threaded couplings and use more teflon tape. It looked like you used a lot compared to me, and now I know why! 😀 Thanks!

[@bulletproofpepper2]

Get a water bottle poke a hole in the cap for a cheap dispenser. Mix up dawn dishwashing soap and water in your cheap dispenser. Air up your air launcher put the soapy water on your connections. The soapy water will make bubbles where air is escaping. Works for bicycles and car tires too.

[@traileroftheworld6531]

Hi, Is it legal to use it without a license for bait fishing? Thank you

[@halfmoontechlabs]

No idea, but if you try it in front of a game warden and report back to us, then we'll all know, lol! (kidding of course, really no idea)

[@cyclingvideosandmore]

Great idea, but wish you provided links to your components. Can’t locate anything resembling the 3/4” bushing used with a nipple for the pressure gauge.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

All pvc and related plumbing components were Lowes and Home Depot purchases. Just make sure you adhere to pressure ratings needed for your intended use, with an adequate safety margin. Thanks for watching!

[@nealbeach4947]

Overkill. I've never had a wire antenna yet that I couldn't deploy with my wrist rocket.

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Good for you! lol. Overkill is what I do ;)

[@syle9601]

Potato gun, open field, hairspray. All im gonna say is nobody lost a limb

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Lol... yeah, the fuel powered ones can be a bit sketchy ;)

[@Rossithailand]

I know a guy that made crossbow with a truck springs and a garage winch , he said it was so powerful he dug a hole a buried it , it could shoot steel bolt through walls .

[@halfmoontechlabs]

@@Rossithailand Wow... not my intent here, I just want to shoot ropes into trees for my antennas, lol.

[@Rossithailand]

nut here hello

[@halfmoontechlabs]

Hey Nut!