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

I made a new vacuum cannon and use it to blast some unfortunate plants and beverages. Thanks to my sponsor Squarespace you can make a great website easily! Check them out at: www.squarespace.com/nighthawk
Vacuum cannons are one of my favorite science experiments for demonstrating pressure differentials and atmospheric pressure. They never fail to get a huge response from a crowd. I've been improving upon my piston operated design over the last year, and while this new version adds some complexity to the design it has a number of improvements as well.
New features of this cannon:
1. Crank operated piston which eliminates the need to tether the barrel down and reduces the cannon's footprint
2. Magnetic piston allows easy attachment of projectiles
3. No home made burst discs required as they have been replaced with plastic cups
Check out my earlier vacuum cannon videos here:
Piston operated cannon v1: • New Vacuum Cannon Desi...
Follow up response to comments: • Firing A Clear Vacuum ...
Giant 4" diameter cannon: • How to Make a Large Bo...
How to make PVC pistons: • How To Make PVC Piston...
How to make a vacuum pump: • How to Make a Vacuum Pump
Thanks to all my Patrons for keeping these videos possible and supporting me no matter what changes KZbin makes. A special thanks to my top Patrons: Syniurge, Matthew Leitzke, TheBackyardScientist, Enzo Breda Lee, John Johnson, & Thibaud Peverelli! / nighthawkprojects
As of uploading this video I have read over 213,000 comments over the last 11 years of my channel. Keep them coming! Thanks so much for continuing to motivate me to make the best videos I can.

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@BobbyDukeArts]

So simple, yet effective. Great design!

[@pugboi4078]

Oh hey, didn’t expect to see you here

[@MasterBondOfficial]

Yo hu bro

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Aquapod9]

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

[@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.

[@brainfreeze1499]

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

[@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.

[@cyphre]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@joeynovak07]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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! :)

[@thereindeertherabbitthebat592]

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

[@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.

[@thefox347]

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

[@sachinsolanki7329]

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

[@Pauls-Welt]

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

[@askquestionstrythings]

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

[@back40snuts]

what a phenomenally designed simple vacuum cannon. many people could make this with little skill and delicacy and its robust, cheap, effective, has faster use and is safer all from being well engineered. Well done!

[@vandmike87]

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

[@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.

[@lakedewitz7126]

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

[@gazorpazorp9798]

Thanks for the upload! Great video!

[@coolnegative]

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

[@anatineduo4289]

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

[@michaelmaldonado7903]

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

[@electronicsNmore]

Very nice creation! :-) Powerful.

[@dividingbyzerofpv6748]

Quite possibly the most refined and simple design yet.

[@Kalanchoe1]

very nice to see the development in these projects!

[@stuartpatterson1617]

Longer tube you say? Did I just watch a video on bending PVC pipes with hot sand.... Coiled vacuum cannon here we come!

[@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.

[@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!

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

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

[@Brucey]

*This is actually SOO COOL!!!😍*

[@Aquila67280]

So many smart ideas in this project! Good job!

[@omegahunter9]

Favorited! This design is awesome!

[@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!

[@gabewrsewell]

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

[@DEtchells]

Great, clever solutions to the engineering challenges you encountered!

[@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.

[@AF6LJSue]

Very Cool this works better than I would have expected.

[@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!

[@TheEngineeringDutchman]

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

[@dontquestionjustbelieve5757]

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

[@vcokltfre]

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

[@dwaynewladyka577]

You have great videos. Love how you make projects and how you explain the science behind them. Keep up the great work. Cheers!

[@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.

[@tobyguthrie8726]

Thank you so much for the amazing content been a huge fan for many years!!

[@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!!!

[@b.a.t..]

Your projects are always amazing

[@fryncyaryorvjink2140]

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

[@hamzaraissouli]

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

[@JohnFleshman]

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

[@russianfirepower5338]

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

[@henrikd.8818]

that design is so genius!

[@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.

[@the_golden_ingot]

Great work as always! Can't wait for another Video!

[@ye11oman]

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

[@lefmankan]

This channel is really cool man. Been watching for years

[@taurasdagys230]

Second

[@VisualBasic6]

Just flat out cool as always

[@NVAfilm]

Have to say that's a really brilliant simple idea

[@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.

[@shellbug3100]

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

[@JohnSmith-td7hd]

Great idea! And great execution, too!

[@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

[@CreatingCreations]

Awesome project! I really really want to try this one!

[@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.

[@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!!!!

[@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.

[@hyperhektor7733]

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

[@lizzardmoto9386]

Cup and rubber fitting is genius!

[@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

[@ErikHerman]

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

[@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!

[@TheLordReverend]

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

[@SkilledCheckmates]

Wow this is incredible

[@adamblomberg]

You’re videos are so relaxing

[@pyrochemist8240]

Awesome shots!

[@havemannmachineco9652]

Nice video man. I always really appreciate your videos, they always inspire me to want to do my own projects!

[@locouk]

Simple yet very effective!

[@fugume69]

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

[@davidvwilliamson]

bloody brilliant. well done.

[@zell9058]

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

[@thomasm7021]

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

[@unitedbrony5907]

great progress !