Rapid-Reload Vacuum Cannon: Magnetic Piston, No Burst Discs

[@Nighthawkinlight]

As of 8:53am this morning I've read 213,438 comments on my channel over the last 11 years, + a few thousand extra from before KZbin started reporting comment data. I think that shows pretty well how much I value your feedback. Thanks for keeping me motivated all this time and giving me fresh ideas! For my next video I'll be back to the wood gas series, and after that I think I'll be building a new solar project I'm really excited about. That is, if I don't get distracted by some other idea in the meantime. Share my videos with your friends if you'd like to, and the best way you can help is to watch my videos to the end. KZbin promotes videos based on how long people sit through them, so watching until the end really helps my videos be seen by others. I've got a Patreon link in the video description as well if you're interested in supporting that way. Thanks for watching!

[@dashankannan]

love ya

[@joeydubbs763]

NightHawkInLight very cool, gonna have to try this one out I think. Can you tell me something please? The "cutting lance" you made awhile back, does the steel wool need to be all the way through the 5/8 brake line? Or is it just to get it started at the tip?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Just at the tip.

[@sgibbons77]

Been watching your videos for years and even emulated a few of your projects. You make the absolute best content on KZbin for the DIY crowd - that's what makes you my favorite provider, even over channels like the King of Random.

[@BloodAsp]

Thanks for all the hard work that goes into your videos! Also, IS IT SNOWING WHERE YOU ARE!?!?!?!?!?

[@freddotu]

The man has found a way to "force" people to listen to the sponsor bit. Watching the bird play kept me from closing the window.

[@eidolor]

His genius is omniapplicable

[@TheGuruNetOn]

Grabbing eyeballs!!

[@m4th1js]

I got that the first time I did see a video of him and thought "you genius!"

[@stevenenglert2951]

Super slick

[@ChemEDan]

:)

[@ShifuCareaga]

this video is an epic win for the engineering of simplicity alone

[@tesla_tower]

Yup

[@deathsythelui]

You get an instant like for that "cabbages hate him!" line in the thumbnail...

[@ieuanhunt552]

I'm reminded of the cabbage merchant from Avatar the last Airbender. MY CABBAGES!!!

[@BobbyDukeArts]

So simple, yet effective. Great design!

[@pugboi4078]

Oh hey, didn’t expect to see you here

[@MasterBondOfficial]

Yo hu bro

[@iliketobuildstuff7013]

You should put a fog machine at the end of the air cannon (where the air comes in as it is fired) to show the movement of the air as it is fired. Would be really interesting.

[@shadowbread6616]

Look. I'm not really sure why, but when you got to telling us about your sponsor my brain immediately skipped a beat and I thought you were going to say your bird was your sponsor. Your bird is also very cute.

[@dhirajgupta9802]

while everyone else is just putting out random videos to increase their volume you are putting enough time and research to make great videos love your work keep the quality content coming. hope you get a bigger team soon so as to create more content so that you can earn more so that we get to see more cool stuff.

[@souravzzz]

The idea of using plastic cups and rubber hose as burst disks is awesome in its ingenuity and cost-effectiveness. I love your long-running experiments the most; because they showcase the incremental nature of scientific progress and the long hours put by you into your projects.

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

Could you imagine a discarding wadd with wooden buckshot or even round ball??? 🤔 Lead?!? 😱 Amazing design! Thanks for sharing this!

[@Aquapod9]

You know it's going to be a good day when NightHawkInLight uploads!

[@brainfreeze1499]

he's not a weird bird, he just knows what he wants and doesn't care what others think. and Awesome vacuum cannon!!

[@lakedewitz7126]

Can’t wait for the extra long vacuum cannon!!

[@coztac1991]

1.3M subs and 52k views in a week, guys what the hell this is one of his best videos the amount of ingenuity needed to design this is amazing!

[@cyphre]

Fantastic idea with the plastic cup! Really simplifies the sealing process.

[@jkimm7]

A number of years ago I made a vacuum cannon nearly identical to your first one based off some designs I had seen online. I had always wanted to find a better burst disc and vacuum system that allowed for a faster reload. I'm so glad to see how you've improved this design over the past few years, it feels like you picked up where I left off and never got around to testing different methods. Keep up the awesome work! Always love your videos!

[@rcbif101]

Ditch the hand crank and string and replace with extra long wormgear actuator. Program it to jog back and forth pausing 3 seconds at each end. You can then rapid fire as fast as you can load and add the cup seal.

[@unvergebeneid]

As a new subscriber, I'm really impressed with the quality of the projects and the craftsmanship Wil Wheaton exhibits in these videos. Looking forward to future videos and supersonic styrofoam! :)

[@sgibbons77]

Been watching your videos for years and even emulated a few of your projects. You make the absolute best content on KZbin for the DIY crowd - that's what makes you my favorite provider, even over channels like the King of Random.

[@snigwithasword1284]

So cool to see this old project become so refined!

[@julius2510]

Since your last video I have thought about the valve problem in the front quite a lot and I have to say the cup is a genius idea. Great video!

[@SHRUGGiExyz]

Honestly, your hard work and dedication to designing, engineering, and improving projects like these is exactly what I strive to be able to do someday. Tackling the challenge of making a vaccuum cannon AND making it this simple to build (for anyone who has access to a hardware store) is super impressive! I can't wait to see what new projects and refinements you come up with.

[@Robslakes]

Watched several of his videos now and they have this mesmerizing" how it's made" vibe to it I could just watch back to back to back.

[@joshlewis5065]

Finally someone got this type of gun to fire good. I love this concept because it eliminates gunpowder and is pretty simple for the results you get

[@Jons007]

Phenomenal!! I tried it with what I assume are bill collectors that came every week, knocking at my door at 7 am on weekends. I haven't seen them since. I assume it worked, but I won't know until they're released from the hospital. I'll keep you posted.

[@eelcohoogendoorn8044]

Really loving the simplicity of this design; its rare that someone innovates on something as tried and true as a vacuum cannon; so thats pretty awesome.

[@hilltop4847]

I love seeing your "workaround solutions" for these projects, they're always simple yet elegant and make me go "Oooohhhh, makes sense." Thanks for such great videos, always look forward to your posts.

[@dbayboyds409]

Brilliant evolution of ideas. I’m so impressed at the refinements and simplification of the overall design. Thank you. I love how it keeps me thinking about whether I would have one up with the same solutions! Love your work!

[@joeynovak07]

That is awesome, I love the plastic cup seal, genius.

[@rossmennie4903]

Very interesting!! So simple yet so ingenious. Would like to se longer range.

[@AndrewBennettScience]

Darn it ... Looks like my "things to build for classroom demos" list just got longer. This is so much simpler to understand and more intuitive than a vacuum pump and burst disks. Time for an update to one of my favorites demos. Thank you!

[@benjaminking4286]

How about sabot ammunition? You might be able to penetrate multiple cabbages!

[@canwenot573]

I like that idea! Reminiscent of the US Navy's rail gun. Perhaps a small, fin stabilized projectile housed inside a polystyrene sabot. The projectile could be made of aluminum or some other lightweight substance and the magnets could be bonded to the sabot.

[@TheEpictrooper]

I've thought about that too. Using some sort of light foam (possibly pool noodle or even the foam that fake plants have) you could make the discarding aspect of the sabot and the projectile itself could be a nail or bolt. The fun part would be figuring out effective fins for stabilization.

[@tylerchiu7065]

Yeah, just stuff multiple projectiles in there

[@Edramon53]

Would be interesting to see if you could shoot a real arrow or crossbow bolt like this, along with how large a vacuum would be needed to get equivalent force to the real weapon.

[@lloyd8620]

Your videos are great and a lot better than The King of Random, especially because you actually build stuff and make improvements to things you have built, you don’t just fill balloons with flour or pour liquid salt in everything like they do, you definitely deserve a lot more subs.

[@darkpheonix77]

my thought "hey that is an amazingly simple design and I could build that. almost anyone could" so I am going to. thank you very much. you are a great engineer.

[@theophrastusbombastus8019]

Because you read all the comments I take this opportunity to say that you are awesome, your ideas are awesome and this video helped me relax before an imoprtant exam tomorrow. Thank you. Also your bird is awesome.

[@jonkinzel6241]

Man you should be really proud of yourself so simple but so brilliant the world is a better place for people like you in it!!!

[@electronicsNmore]

Very nice creation! :-) Powerful.

[@gary.richardson]

It's been at least 5 years since this video was made, it would be good to do a follow up video with consideration of all the comment inputs and videos made since then. I'm sure that a cheaper, faster, better cannon can be made and better insights featured for another great video. I sure hope the answer is yes, challenge accepted.

[@nobodysbusiness7773]

Mr. Night Hawk Light , I am looking forward to seeing your videos and as soon as I get back to work. I want to help you with your needs to provide the great insight and share it with the rest of the geeks of Technologies. God bless. Thanks

[@tjmmcd1]

I've never taken even a high school level physics class before but I love how he explains it all in layman terminology. Blows my mind that the when 'broken,' the force of the ambient air entering the hand-made vacuum is such that it can send a projectile with such amazing velocity. He should be making millions of dollars by selling his demonstrational, real-life applicational videos as a supplement to school physics courses. Bravo!

[@ragingwillie483]

you always make incredibly intelligent designs. so may ideas i can make with my children, to attempt to make learning fun for them. I, as well as i can be sure countless others, greatly appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[@dividingbyzerofpv6748]

Quite possibly the most refined and simple design yet.

[@SeanHollingsworth]

This is the very first video of yours that I have watched. This vacuum barrel is nearly identical to one that I have had bouncing around in my head for the better part of a decade. The projectile can accelerate much more quickly by allowing the barrel to ablate as the projectile passes through.

[@RichardBronosky]

Sean Hollingsworth I can't understand that last sentence using the dictionary definition of ablate.

[@SeanHollingsworth]

@@RichardBronosky Multistage rockets are ablative systems. The Saturn 5 system is a rather extreme example of this; whereby when a section is no longer needed for the rest of the mission, it is jettisoned or otherwise left behind. Applied, in this context: once a section of barrel has been passed through, that section is removed, or otherwise punctured to allow atmospheric air to have more immediate contact with the rear of the projectile; as the velocity at which atmospheric air can enter the rear of the barrel does have a limit.

[@RichardBronosky]

Sean Hollingsworth yes, but he couldn't even get a front valve to open fast enough. For that he had the full length of the barrel giving him time to get it done. You are talking opening valves that have even less of a time window in which to offer value.

[@SeanHollingsworth]

@@RichardBronosky Arguably, it would be a more complex system. I have entertained the idea of electromechanical valves. They could be opened within a few centimeters of the rear of the projectile as it passes by. It can be either timed based on observations, or triggered as various sensors are passed. The valves should be able to be easily opened, as they would no longer be held tightly shut by the vacuum after the projectile passes.

[@RichardBronosky]

These are great improvements! You've finally made it so attainable that I can justify making it with my daughters and giving it to my local Maker Space.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Note that these cannons can backfire occasionally, so keep safety in mind.

[@stspy212]

I could *almost* make this an semi/semi-automatic cannon with a few modifications. First, instead of pulling the piston all the way out of the pipe, add adequate ventilation holes to the pipe a foot or two before the tail end of the pipe. This will allow you to break the vacuum seal WITHOUT having to pull the piston out of the pipe. I imagine some power may be lost due to a slightly decreased air flow, but probably not much. Second, behind the ventilation holes add a large cutout that is large enough to compensate your projectiles. This is going to be your magazine receiver. After firing, pull the piston back behind this point which will allow another projectile to be loaded in. Third, add a pulley system of strong magnets that runs the length of the barrel. After you've fired and dropped another round in, the pulley system activates which pulls the piston back to the front of the barrel. You may need very powerful magnets for this. Some other trigger drops a cup into the end of the barrel (not sure how to accomplish this one). An automatically reloading and firing vacuum cannon that fires as fast as you can rotate some driving motor.

[@anatineduo4289]

Impressive upgrades! You are really refining this old favorite nicely!

[@phil1692]

Hey, I'm a long time fan of your channel and your videos are still the greatest!!! Would still love to see some of your oldschool homemade fireworks, but any of your projects is so interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@coolnegative]

watching stuff blown apart like this still makes me giggle like a little boy! thanx for the smiles!

[@russianfirepower5338]

It takes time and hard work to upload on your channel, the results are always good, keep up the good work Ben!

[@askquestionstrythings]

Very nice update. Looking forward to seeing your next project and the wood gas updates.

[@michaelmaldonado7903]

I have been a sub for at least 5 years still by far one of my favorite channels. Keep up the great work!

[@vandmike87]

The content you make is right up my alley and I love learning new things which each of the videos you make do.

[@lefmankan]

This channel is really cool man. Been watching for years

[@taurasdagys230]

Second

[@cameronflack2254]

Hands down my favorite channel. No matter what you upload, im watching it asap. Have you tried making projectiles more aerodynamic? I know with the vacuum in the barrel aerodynamics kinda go out the window, but the impact damage has to be tremendous. I certainly enjoy the projects that can be done with a single trip to the hardware store

[@Nighthawkinlight]

When I shot pvc end caps out of my earlier cannons they were pretty aerodynamic. I haven't tried anything else with that in mind.

[@maxximumb]

Yep, one of the best channels on KZbin. It would be interesting to see if turning the wooden projectile on a lathe, to a conventional bullet shape had any effect of the projectile once it leaves the barrel.

[@cameronflack2254]

@@SupaaMann almost like a hybridization of rifling and fins? Interesting idea.

[@Pauls-Welt]

Awesome how you improved the front sealing. This is truly genius! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@jayduffy7615]

I love watching your videos. Keep up the awesome job! I'd really love to see you make a wood gasifier. FEMA posted the plans for one online. I really want to make one but if I watched you do it first, I know that I would learn much more. Especially about the science of it and the safety measures required to build or use one. Thanks again!

[@windsunh2o]

I'm surprised you didn't get more dislikes for destroying beers =) No matter what your project is, I always love seeing your clever problem solving ideas. Thanks for making these videos for us!

[@jeffreygrose9971]

I would still LOVE to see the extra long vacuum cannon with a bunch of connected pipes! I’m sure the speeds you achieve would be insane!!

[@TheEpictrooper]

Thank you so much for this innovation. I've been wanting to make either a scaled or full sized air cannon based off of German AT guns (have not decided which model). I sat there watching your older videos and thought "Could a chain or something else pull the piston?" I was worried to experiment myself but thanks to you it shows it will work just fine. Huge fan of yours. I'll probably start construction come spring.

[@fryncyaryorvjink2140]

How am I just now seeing this? Excellent work, I love the development of this new super weapon to surpass metal gear

[@TheEngineeringDutchman]

Dude your video quality standards are always so high! Love it. Please do more with fire, love those slowmo's

[@Kalanchoe1]

very nice to see the development in these projects!

[@thefox347]

Amazing improvements in design, I look forward to seeing future versions that I'm sure will be nothing less than ingenious.

[@DEtchells]

Great, clever solutions to the engineering challenges you encountered!

[@alyssakent9925]

This is a really fun looking toy, I have been playing with the wood gas myself as a byproduct of charcoal making. looking forward to seeing future vids.

[@shellbug3100]

Dont change a thing...your channel rocks just the way it is! Fun but educational!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 stars from me!!

[@ThistlesGarden]

I love that you've continued to perfect your design. I'm looking forward to the website; in addition to the finished products consider having PDF blueprints of some of your products as well.

[@ryanwatcher3747]

You should be a host of a science tv show. You have a great voice and speaking ability. Or ever a narrator for a show or documentary. I can also relate to your regrets of not paying attention in school to all the math and now that you’re older wish you would have studied it harder.

[@sachinsolanki7329]

I’ve been watching your channel for many years now. Very worthwile

[@mikesowell1717]

Holy shit. this guys problem-solving skills is amazing.

[@ErikHerman]

This is brilliant. I'm going to make one, today, for the Physics Bus!

[@weasel.3683]

that design is so genius!

[@fugume69]

I love seeing your birds at the end of the videos :D

[@gary.richardson]

Another approach that might get a boost is to create a gun cotton or flash paper packing composite that can instantly disappear before encountering resistance. The cup idea is brilliant!

[@hamzaraissouli]

Happy to see a new video! Great idea and execution. Would love to see the magnified version of it.

[@gazorpazorp9798]

Thanks for the upload! Great video!

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

Nice ---love all the improvements you made on this cannon!

[@TheLordReverend]

Nice work I plan on making one over the summer when I have my sister's kids

[@lizzardmoto9386]

Cup and rubber fitting is genius!

[@opsoc777]

For a second there I thought you were going to shoot the bird, my heart stopped, I should really sleep. Keep making awesome content! I personally like the more functional stuff.

[@NVAfilm]

Have to say that's a really brilliant simple idea

[@JohnFleshman]

This is a very solid win!!! I am so gonna make one someday.

[@Aquila67280]

So many smart ideas in this project! Good job!

[@brownell10]

Serious props for being one of the few to take it beyond a typical science class quickie! Put a tee on the breech with a sliding sleeve inside it that seals off the right-angle leg when "cocked". That leg has a chamber of compressed air, that's released when the piston pulls the sleeve, then itself, clear. Envision a sleeve that's like your piston, but unobstructed at both ends so the pull line can pass through it freely, and the rear of the tee having a cap/bumper drilled for the pull line and maybe a sleeve-resetting tool. The higher pressure shouldn't affect pull force if properly sealed, and the breech cap negated assuming ample venting (possibly a port closed off by the sleeve as it opens the tank?)... Sorry it's getting long winded - I'm game if that piques any interests.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Nice idea! I like that. The only issue would be ease of access to the breach for maintenance or if the piston got jammed up trying to push it back in.

[@ye11oman]

This is going to be a great project for my Scout Troop

[@gabewrsewell]

awesome video, you've improved on the original design so much. love videos like this!

[@hyperhektor7733]

Great how you solved several Problems to improve this concept. :)

[@TsmithJustin]

Great stuff. I think I'd like to help my nephews with a science fair this year and I was thinking this would be one they would enjoy.

[@Brucey]

*This is actually SOO COOL!!!😍*

[@bryanpotts5594]

You just built a reverse cork gun. Haha. I love it! The cup solution is so simple.

[@zell9058]

An elegant iteration on an already amazing creation! You deserve a Blue Ribbon.. hope you saved a few. 👍🍺💥

[@richardk6695]

I absolutely love your videos you always have my direct attention as soon as your videos start your very well informed on all your topics thanks for all your videos

[@AF6LJSue]

Very Cool this works better than I would have expected.

[@ElectricGeckos]

Acedently missed this video in my subscriptions, glad it popped up in my recommended. Hitting that bell. lol

[@thomasm7021]

I'm always happy to see you upload it makes my day :D

[@dontquestionjustbelieve5757]

thank you so much for making videos they bring me so much joy

[@TheArapata]

Nice work, I was doubtful I would see a vacuum cannon without consumables

[@b.a.t..]

Your projects are always amazing

[@vcokltfre]

*Sees you uploaded a new video* *Drop everything and watch sciency stuff*

[@xxzerolinkxx]

The bird is awesome go moe go and great video as always 👍🏻