The Air Cannon: Launching 3D Printed High Explosive Rounds

[@OrdnanceLab]

What started out as a mere concept became a working launcher in just a few days. We totally expected this thing to fail on us repeatedly. That tends to be the trend of things with a lot of our initial experiments and projects. But, it works and is more accurate than we expected. Now, what shall we do with our newly built air cannon of doom?

[@brucebaxter6923]

If you use a spool valve it will be fully open before the projectile has moved a couple of inches. With the reservoir around the barrel and the barrel ported for a spool in the rear of the barrel you get a valve area greater than the barrel. As the spool starts to move the pressure between projectile and spool throws the spool fully open.

[@OrdnanceLab]

solid suggestion. Thanks!

[@OrdnanceLab]

No stopping at this point.

[@scrappydoo7887]

I'd love to come to you and show what a Brit can offer

[@OrdnanceLab]

Knowing the Brits and their ability to improvise weapons from nada in a shed sized workshop, I imagine a good deal.

[@tobsec]

"We're firing the smoke here first so we can sight in our cannon" Finally the Far Cry 2 skills come in handy

[@OrdnanceLab]

Sooner or later, those skills would pay out.

[@Apyr404]

Or wake the whole house when you crank the volume and max the bass

[@Zachmman1997]

I suspect the air cannon is regulated only because of the purpose you were using it for. Its like those 37mm launchers. its legal to own and not regulated like a 40mm would be but the second you launch a projectile containing more than 1/4 Oz of energetic material, it becomes a destructive device. It would make sense if that logic followed for the air cannon, a regular cannon, ect. But who knows... it is the ATF after all. they're not known for being particularly logical.

[@OrdnanceLab]

The ATF is like quantum physics: the moment you think you understand it, you literally don't and it makes your head hurt.

[@hanelyp1]

Quantum physics makes a lot more sense than the AFT. A lot of confusion comes from "science" presenters who understand it as well as a gun control lawyer understands American law.

[@marblemarble7113]

if black powder cannons are legal then whats stopping you from strapping a black powder cannon to the bottom of your rifle like a grenade launcher?

[@camojoe83]

37mm require registration for any horizontal use. If it's not a flare or smoke then you need a DD tax stamp. The smoothbore 37 is also way different in potential capability than a rifled 40mm.

[@Zachmman1997]

@@OrdnanceLab lol that would make a funny t shirt or safe sticker 🤣

[@nunyurbyznes7611]

Great video. I lived and worked in the Wasatch Mountians as a ski patroller from the early eighties to early 2000. A local canyon deller developed a pneumatic launcher for explosives he named the "Avalauncher" used in controlling ski slopes and roads exposed avalanche paths. They were accurate and very effective as well as great fun to operate. They were used in conjuntion with 75mm and 105mm recoilless guns which were the ultimate rush and cool factor for prestige. I miss being younger! The Avalauncher however was preach loading and had a 15' barrel. It had a range of 1-2 miles. They shot a kilogram PTNT cast explosive fitted with a cone and tail section with a shotgun primer to set it off.

[@zerumsum1640]

Ah yes, recoilless guns... one of the few devices we've figured out that allows one to experience standing in the middle of an explosion without serious injury.

[@FarmerFpv]

We use DIY Air Cannons to launch Ice-shaped 2.5-inch mortars with fishing bait in the middle over 300 yards into the Ocean. You can even buy them for Bait launching with Ice Trays shaped like Mortars to freeze your bait in. They are not regulated. I'm guessing it's the type of projectile that makes them regulated? It's the only way we can get our bait out past the surf other than Custom RC Boats with GPS built in.

[@ryantoemmes9685]

Air Cannon with Digital targeted tracking system with aerial drone surveillance capabilities 😮

[@OrdnanceLab]

They are insanely fun to use and very efficient.

[@rydplrs71]

@@OrdnanceLabtime for a collaboration with tech ingredients.

[@jlambuth]

It was rough filming this as I was sick as heck. I had to power through as I just got over a fever. Still, it was totally worth it.

[@lofisstealin4012]

Who tf r u??

[@OrdnanceLab]

he's the guy in camo pants in the video.

[@Real_Skrub]

@@lofisstealin4012 i dont understand why this language would be necessary lmao

[@jlambuth]

@@lofisstealin4012 I'm the hispanic guy in most of the videos.

[@Jameson1776]

@@jlambuthwho’s panic and why are you his?

[@NavyShooter3]

I will suggest that the mount portion of your air cannon may be where you are lacking. A proper tripod mount will probably improve the repeatability of your system. I built several pneumatic cannons back in the day, and once made a 'semi-auto' one using 35mm film cannisters as projectiles. With the advent of 3D printing technology, perhaps I should revisit that. Or, maybe we should just call the RCMP on you. ;-)

[@OrdnanceLab]

This was built in like 2 days. It started as a concept and we went from there with parts we had around the range. We are building a better dedicated mount and electrical firing system to make it more practical.

[@johnladuke6475]

I live in Canada, I can help with calling the RCMP, it's a local call. They will _not_ be happy about this artillery or these suggested improvements.

[@daylonfoudt7806]

We need more stuff like this

[@OrdnanceLab]

Agreed!

[@jmjones7897]

On par with the standard of care in the Russian Army Brilliant!

[@doinker50]

That fuse reliability *chefs kiss* I thought for sure you guys were going to have at least one dud

[@OrdnanceLab]

The benefits of 3D printing: cheap prototyping to get it juuuuuuuuuust right.

[@doinker50]

@@OrdnanceLab what filler did you use if you don't mind sharing?

[@TheSquirreless]

Giving me vhs vibes

[@ernieu4]

​@@doinker50looks like some type of flashpowder

[@komitadjie]

I'm honestly REALLY impressed that despite all that wobbling and bouncing the cart does, the air gun relays pretty darn well. As an improvised weapon, that would be well within useful range with fragmentation rounds.

[@TheNerfherder1000]

Make a DOPE card for the air cannon. Show the PSI for the corresponding distance and tape it to the side of the tank, along with specific rounds. Then you've got a cannon anyone with a brain could use.

[@NotFunnyMe23]

facts

[@UncleBildo]

I could see a competition forming from this.... Improvised Olympics......

[@OrdnanceLab]

That's such a great idea

[@UncleBildo]

I wish you guys were my neighbors! heh heh heh@@OrdnanceLab

[@scrappydoo7887]

Holy moly that's something I would pay to see

[@sisseeboy]

Look up pumpkin launchers

[@sisseeboy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJjEgneErL2Kjcksi=5y8_lQeggv4K1c6a

[@JoeSkylynx]

The little wiggle of the cart reminds me of the old school nuclear artillery footage.

[@Sideshowbobx]

That air cannon on a proper mounting with some bipod/A-frame stabilization on the tube as a base plate for cylinder and a proper sighting system would be terrorizing accurate.

[@owenadair8893]

You guys should totally try a propane powered cannon similar to this. Backyard scientist has a great video on a golf ball cannon he made, called propane pop gun, which is a great design with a quick cycle time of only a few seconds. Ive made both propane and air cannons before, and propane is far more powerful and easier to reload, as well as being simpler. Awesome video, cant wait to see what you guys have planned in the future!

[@thatguy1379]

Cant wait for this channel to become taufladermous for homemade mortar shells

[@ClashClash89]

No Steve's were harmed in the making of this video. Rock and Stone! o7

[@Coolnventions]

you need to use a faster opening valve like a QEV valve, also optimize the barrel length to the size of the chamber and you'll be able to use higher pressures and a less bulky setup

[@OrdnanceLab]

It's a prototype to get the idea rolling. Optimization comes from a crude start. It works surprisingly well despite it being made from scrap parts and like 2 days of labor.

[@hanelyp1]

I thought it was using a QEV, if a crude conversion from a hydraulically operated valve. But better versions can be built from plumbing fixtures.

[@aaronmccullough4926]

Ive made tons of air cannons over the years, always fun and cheap to fire. I based most of them after the " simms- dudley dynamite gun" from the spanish American war in cuba

[@Wheeling88]

Impressive, have a whole new respect for air powered units.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

That's super impressive, awesome stuff guys!!!

[@OrdnanceLab]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@OrdnanceLab Hellyeah that was sick!!!

[@Dustywitch]

There IS a reason why its called "indirect fire". If this were a military fire-mission that would have been a Fire For Effect with the third round alone. Build a base and standard for the tube to absorb the shock and put the cannon back onto target. (Can you tell I was a mortar-man in the Army yet?) Good demo though of the pneumatic cannon, this is awesome! We had a version of this in the Army for training purposes when back in garrison.

[@Fede_uyz]

Honestly, its crazy how you were able to build basically a mortar fairly easly. Make 4-5 to fire one one reloads and you can get fairly scary mortar fire. If the cycle time is around 10 minutew, 5 could give you one round every 2 minutes, 2 pumps could maybe double reload speed. I was thinking of a simple DIY impact fuse with a metal tube, a captured nail with the head forwads and a spring to keep it 'forwards' with its point on the primer of a 9mm round, it would easily light a black powder filled mortar round. Add a thinly printed cap over it so it can easily crush upon impact and you got an impact fuse for a mortar. The low mass of the nail + the force needed to ignite the 9mm round's fuse + the thin 3d printed crushable cap would make it not go off during launch. A safety could be added by including a flat pin that blocks the nail from contacting the primer or by preventing the nail from going down. The 3d printed mortar could be packed with black powder and an inside charged of highly packed BP inside a pipe to keep preassure, small opening in the front to open towards the butt of the fuse. 3d printed body with metal pellets or birdshot to act as simple frag. Mortar hits the ground, cap gets crushed, pushes nail into primer, primer lights up the gunpowder, preasure raises and it exploded.

[@arjunamirzada3688]

So you guys technically made a 76mm light mortar, and its environmentally friendly? Hell yea

[@SitioLumbia]

The intro was inspirational.

[@CarpeNoctem135]

That’s not a hell launcher, it’s a heck launcher

[@OrdnanceLab]

LOL

[@David-hb3gu]

Man still insane accuracy for a giant potato gun 🥔

[@OrdnanceLab]

Right? We didn't expect that.

[@mfree80286]

1:38 For not being an English major you nailed it, since Canterbury Tales is full of fart jokes, and here you go with a machine expelling spicy air...

[@another3997]

Well, since he's an American, he probably doesn't know much about "English". 😂 Speaking as an Englishman, over in England, I wish the USA would stop mangling our language, or just change the name to "American" or "Gobbledegook". 😉

[@mfree80286]

@@another3997 Certainly, so long as you resume the ownership of the term 'soccer', since you assembled it from 'association football' and left us to be derided for using it.

[@alexandrosskoufos8729]

YES YES YES missed you guys

[@johnladuke6475]

The artillery videos are always fun. Glad to see that the warheads are basically dialed in, that makes any cool para-military experiments a lot easier. This thing looks a lot easier than the Hell Cannon for tube artillery ideas, and I'd love to see you do more work on direct-fire and ballistic-trajectory rockets. And yes, I think we need to see all the different warheads that you listed off tested against this boom box.

[@anthonyroman218]

The hatchet and sickle on the red targets got me. I wasn’t expecting that one 😅😅😅😂😂😂

[@dropnoelfield295]

For faster recharges you could use a 3000 litre gas tank to dump pressure into the firing tank. Just a thought. Great show, loved it. Good fun. Thanks

[@xato3796]

Things you can say in a weapons demo and also on your wedding night: “… you can do a lot of damage with 3 inches”

[@andyanderson9165]

More please! That was awesome..

[@3870TheDad]

Awesome air-cannon!!!

[@RvnKnight]

Cool video and great idea! An idea to speed up cycle, but will have a bottle neck later: use a quick release system with say 3 connections and have it with a solenoid to fire. That would allow you to have 1-3 pre-charged tanks hooked in, allowing you to swap out the empty once the shot is fired and attach a full in its place. This would also allow you to adjust the charge of the shot. If 1 tank allows a distance of X, 2 would increase it by half to three-quarter on average, though possibly more depending on elevation and wind. Etcetera....

[@josephgauthier5018]

Longer barrel, smaller tank. You'll get more efficient use of the air, which means you'll need less of it, so you won't have to charge the tank up for as long to reach the same sort of velocities. I look forward to seeing more of this! Great video as always!

[@paystation164]

Add slits to make the projectiles *whistle* in the next video. Looney tunes style 👍

[@ERKNEES2]

Thanks for these wholesome videos 🤘

[@thestandupphilosophers]

That was really good fun, I wish that we could do stuff like this where I live in the UK, but sadly they'd put us all in prison! Awesome video, well done on the content, really entertaining and informative.

[@daveb3910]

Optical sensor to fire when round gets seated, and then microcontroller to refill tank from secondary reservoir tank. That should allow faster for and same action of a gravity triggered setup

[@OrdnanceLab]

We got ahold of an HP compressor to fill scuba tanks. We will use that to fill the main tank. Does it in seconds to maximum pressure.

[@rocketman221projects]

@@OrdnanceLab Make sure you have a burst disc on the tank that can handle the full flow of the high pressure air tank to avoid any unintended explosions if the regulator fails.

[@davedave9552]

This thing was pretty cool

[@nunyabidniz2868]

Any instrux/plans/parts list available for the launcher? Seems more practical than a punkin' chunker [catapult] for backyard fun...

[@CarlAvery-l5y]

That was cool, more like this please.

[@JohnTBlock]

Wondering how much wind you were dealing with, vs. How heavy the rounds were, to buck that wind...

[@kjellkriminell372]

youve gotten so much better at talking in front of a camera since i started watching. Just a good observation!

[@dadsgametime]

Shows a lot of effort. Good stuff.

[@Preyhawk81]

Austrian-Hungary had an Air Mortar during WW1. An screw througt the bottom of the mortar connected with the projectiel was there way to control how far the shell flew. Thin screw rips earlier and so on. Maybe an idear for you guys.

[@johndilday1846]

Looks like awesome fun. I am definitely jealous. 👍👍

[@honeybadgeractual5734]

I've considered the idea of a mortar that is powered by propane, gasoline, etc. aerosolized and fired from a potato gun made of steel. Low pressure, quiet, and easier to keep supplied with propellant than an air cannon. But your cannon looks pretty dope.

[@myfavoritemartian1]

Great video guys! Thanks!

[@mbmann3892]

Can you make a 3D printed morter that whistles. That would be the icing on the cake

[@perseusrex614]

man you guys have so much fun, bravo!

[@catherineharris4746]

OMG! OMG! OMG I can't stop laughing!😂😂😂😂 The smoke round self identified as an incendiary round!💜💜😂😂😂👏👏👍👍👍👍👍

[@MrJonbot81]

Best line I have heard in a long time. How is there not more comments on this? Everyone is trying to be all technical completely ignoring that gold.

[@onebadwolf9123]

Would a few scuba tanks, connected to a manifold, with a regulator, facilitate faster reloading?

[@mfree80286]

Had a thought the other day... If you had a frag warhead that was a perforated thick casing of one material, with projectiles in the 'tubes', would the shock front expel the projectiles before the casing disintegrated? If the projectiles were sufficiently light enough and the casing had the right physical properties, you could end up with a ballistically controlled super-high velocity fragmentation device. Also had another little tingle in my brain about vacuum augmentation, the uses of the pressure wave propagating within a container or along a path that was evacuated. It could (in theory) interact with the container at a higher velocity than usual and boost the speed at which the shrapnel travels.

[@KarlKarpfen]

That's the most wobbly gun carriage you could have chosen for a precise shot, couldn't you?

[@MyMy-tv7fd]

very cool stuff, you might be able to improve accuracy by adding guy lines to the front and back end of the cannon, thus reducing barrel wobble

[@OrdnanceLab]

We def need to improve the mount. This was all made with parts we had on hand. A more sturdy mount with training and elevation is next along with an electrically fired valve. Should drastically improve accuracy.

[@scrappydoo7887]

​@@OrdnanceLabthe most fun things are always made from junk lol

[@dilboteabaggins]

If you used a QEV valve and regulator, you could get better range. The QEV opens way faster than a sprinkler valve. Meaning that you'll get more acceleration. You'll find the sprinkler valve is still opening after the projectile leaves the barrel. The QEV has a larger orifice and a faster opening time. If you pair the QEV valve with a second air reservoir, you can charge the second reservoir to pressure using the regulator. You could get multiple shots out out of your cannon and only pump it up once. If you increased the rigidity of the barrel, you'd get more accuracy

[@OrdnanceLab]

Solid idea!

[@benlake710]

Great video, thanks for putting this out there! Plenty of viewers might want to make a similar set-up to launch bait for fishing, or potatoes, or whatever. It looks like you used an 11 gallon (or so) air tank, but it has a large outlet at the end. Did you have to have that custom welded? I also see that the valve you used is a 2" irrigation valve, how it that holding up? What air pressure are you filling the tank to? There are plenty of videos showing line launchers and potato launchers with PVC pipe. But I think a metal tank, even if it is a repurposed tank from some other application, is still a safer option. PVC is convenient and easy to build, and should probably be safe if using modest pressure, but it's still an unknown, so better to have a pressure rated metal tank. If you are just launching things for fun, guys have used PVC pipes as a form to freeze slugs of ice. The fishermen pack them with fish as bait, but if you're just having fun around the yard use water instead of fish scraps. They seem to launch nicely and would melt away to nothing.

[@DandSCreations]

We were firing it at 26 psi its capable of 150. I tig welded a 2" pipe to the air tank.

[@o-manthehuman7867]

Do you think y'all could do a video on HESH? Perhaps not with an actual tank round, but it could be very interesting to see a slo-mo of the spalling from a pre-squashed head

[@Ggugc55]

Could you guys do a video about how you got involved in this stuff and what your company does?

[@fafhrdkreig4739]

To increase cycle time get a couple of scuba tanks to recharge. Scuba tanks are usually about 3000 psi.

[@charlesthepaperman]

Alright 3d printed air cannon, I like the combination of those words.

[@scrappydoo7887]

All i see here is pumpkin chunkin lol I love the air cannon approach though, very cool. Would love to see if the same result could be achieved with a chemical gas production like acid and bicarb or similar

[@PyrotechnicsNL]

for example, CaC2/H2o, NaOH/al, or hydrogen gas by electrolysis. So many options

[@trulyinfamous]

WARNING: NITPICKY COMPLAINY COMMENT INCOMING I'll preface this by saying I really like this channel and don't want to sound mean. The comedy aspect of this channel isn't necessarily something I personally care for. It feels a bit forced at times and it's something that would be expected on a television show but not something I expect on KZbin. I'd much rather have more information, more booms, and the funny moments be a little more incidental. Not that this stops me from thoroughly enjoying this channel though. I'm not telling you what to do either, y'all are the ones making the videos, not me. There's definitely people who enjoy the comedy aspect of this channel and think I'm crazy so I'm not representative of the whole fanbase. Well, as always, keep up the great work. Each video gets crazier than the last. I'd love to see what kinds of wild homemade artillery ammunition you guys can make to shoot out of a cannon.

[@autismuskaefer]

Would you try it with the direct firing angle, maybe to open up a wall of some kind?

[@DandSCreations]

In the works

[@76dg15]

Jake my man, it would really be hilarious to wear an arch bishop outfit, trailing black powder and wearing the Joker grenade vest

[@chuckfinley3152]

Dude, just roll the cart back a couple of feet lol

[@gadgetguyify]

Or raise elevation angle.

[@pjbarney9580]

very cool... surprised it was that accurate!

[@cannedheat33]

Great video! Thank you!

[@sasquatch6829]

Ever think about using airbag charges for the propellant ? Just curious. 🤔 no reason in particular.

[@NotFunnyMe23]

when theyre firing, i noticed they are rocking the cannon back a little with the pull string trigger, that might be throwing them off a bit, so maybe find a way so the cannon doesnt rock when pulling the firing cord

[@DandSCreations]

That's actually the recoil. And we're going to have a nice cart to put it on soon.

[@meikos7091]

Close counts in Jarts too.

[@unkillablespirits8582]

is there anything that can be used to help with aiming

[@duncanfranklin9462]

Having a longer barrel would likely help with accuracy and velocity. When you build the second one, consider a longer barrel, and you may be able to use less air if it can launch them with more velocity.

[@kalle1634]

Fun video! Slava Ukraini🇺🇦

[@Revivethefallen]

That was pretty cool. If those were military rounds i think all your shots would have been plenty close. Good shooting and video.

[@ReviewThisTestThat]

Use a high pressure tank like 6000psi with a regulator and a secondary pressure chamber like you already have. Like scaling up a 50cal air rifle. Maybe use a mount like styropyro did for his long range laser cannon.

[@mafiahalo93]

7:05 you do not need to register that piece of plastic and air compressor which is no different then a potato cannon which is also not required to be registered.

[@DanBowkley]

For better portability, faster cycle time, and quieter operation may I suggest a scuba tank and regulator. While the high pressure side is 3000+ PSI, the low pressure side is only around 125. You should be able to get maybe 10 shots from a normal 80cf cylinder.

[@DandSCreations]

5 according to my math but. We were firing only 25 psi ... At that pressure 30 shots.

[@waitemc]

8 ft florescent bulbs will suprise you how many miles you can chuck it with an air cannon. We used a 2in x 6 ft barrel at 175psi . 20oz bottle cut and taped to the rear for a perfect wadding . Stick the 20 oz bottle in the barrle cut it with a razor put it to the bulb cap first and whats left of the bottle expans to seal the barrel.

[@Carl-xe3qu]

I love the camouflage plywood! Looks like a couple 9 year olds build it

[@kennethcontreras4325]

Why didn't you simply change elevation instead of tinkering with the power/air pressure?

[@ramunesoda73395]

do you guys occasionally use mushroom starters for nonel initiation?

[@iyaayas200]

The Illustrious Potentate of Potential Energy

[@victormartin2774]

It's because of people like that that I want to work in the US.

[@user-bo8kd4dg5b]

KZbin wont let me like the video so just assume i enjoy your content.

[@hunnybunnysheavymetalmusic6542]

The recoil was changing the trajectory, therefore, estimating the angle of drop, where the angle is changing in mid-shot can mess up some of the accuracy.

[@gvii]

Those worked ridiculously well. As for not hitting the box, I would bet those shells would have been even more consistent if they were heavier. Granted, I've never shot a mortar besides a little coehorn mortar that dated back to the American Civil war, but I thinking the only reason you guys weren't spot on was due to the high amount of wind drift you'll get with a really light projectile. Even then, as close as you hit, those two would have been having a real bad day. Maybe not their last day, but a really bad day nonetheless. Anyway, very nice work! That was really cool to watch.

[@Extrahello]

Chlorate/perchlorate mix with some sort of metal for the filler?

[@Zachmman1997]

Thats sweet! It makes me think though, since shooting the projectile with the cannon is so finicky, It may be way more effective to just drop those projectiles from the drone you were using.

[@DandSCreations]

It is, but the FAA would fine $25,000 per violation.

[@RT-jv3su]

You should set up a giant game of battleship. Launch ordnance at each other’s targets until someone runs out.

[@kennysmith3799]

Love the stuff, might be a 3ft barrel, rather than 3" @ 2.50 👍 Keep up the awesome ideas boys

[@willbass2869]

Kickass great video!

[@kdono3876]

Tell me how the lunar lander made ut through the van allen belts

[@NFETacticalLLC]

I have a smoke round for the can cannon if you’re interested.

[@derictripp9245]

If you had to use in conflict just have 3 primary ones to knock down the recharge time !still this thing was pretty cool !

[@jaysonwilliams2455]

You guys probably aren't going to see this, but where did you guys learn how to make explosives and stuff? I'm really interested in this kind of stuff, and you guys seem like the people to ask. Thanks!

[@BrandonL-g1v]

How is it regulated it’s basically a potato cannon can you go into the little more detail on that?