Golfball cannon

Tacoma747

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem
I made this awhile back out of some aluminum tubing. Perfect size barrel for a golfball, it will launch one clear out of sight. Figured up the velocity, at about 100 PSI, the golfball will come out of the barrel at about 430 MPH, if you account for the golfball not sealing perfectly, drag, and other factors it would actually be less than that, but who cares?

It will explode small pumpkins on impact, but with large pumpkins it will not go all the way through.

Only bad thing about it, very hard to aim. Probably shot 15 golfballs at it for 5 hits.

This SHOULD be legal, since it is powered by compressed air, and not combustion (like a potato gun), there should be nothing illegal about it (unless how it could be used). If there is please let me know :)

Pictures:
2006_1203golfballcannon0001.jpg

2006_1203golfballcannon0002.jpg

2006_1203golfballcannon0003.jpg

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2006_1203golfballcannon0006.jpg
 
Against the law I do think, at least in the south. Do you realize how many pumpkin pies won't be made because of this apparatus?
 
SPECS Please:smokin:
 
That might be a neat project for my son for science next year. This year we just made a water bottle rocket. I use a tire pump and it will launch a 2 liter bottle clear over a pine tree. I haven't added and thing to keep it flying straight or a nose cone. I just wanted to see if it would work first. It is so neat how compressed air and water can propell the bottle over the trees. My son got real excited after the first launch. It is cheap and the only hard part was making a groove inside the internal tube for the oring to seal the 2 litter bottle. Definitely something cool for a father and son project. Not trying to steal your thread just adding to it. I like your s and might have to try and make one for next year.
Heres a couple pics of the set up I did.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/DugnCrissMercer/Stuff022-1.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/DugnCrissMercer/Stuff027.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/DugnCrissMercer/Stuff023.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/DugnCrissMercer/Stuff025.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/DugnCrissMercer/Stuff024.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/DugnCrissMercer/Stuff026.jpg
 
"This SHOULD be legal, since it is powered by compressed air, and not combustion (like a potato gun), there should be nothing illegal about it (unless how it could be used). If there is please let me know."

Read the letter below. You are legal with the Feds but who knows about NC & local laws.

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Washington, DC 20226




As defined in section 921(a) (3) of Title 18, United States Code (USC) the term "firearm" means --


(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.
As defined in 26 USC subsection 5845(f) (2) the term destructive device includes any type of weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellent, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary or his delegate finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes; and (3) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device as defined in subparagraphs (1) and (2) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. The term 'destructive device' shall not include any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device; surplus ordnance sold, loaned, or given by the Secretary of the Army pursuant to the provisions of section 4684(2), 4685, or 4686 of title 10 of the USC; or any other device which the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate finds is not likely to be used as a weapon, or is an antique or is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely for sporting purposes.

It is unlawful for anyone to make or possess a destructive device which is not registered in accordance with the provisions of the National Firearms Act.

We have previously examined that certain muzzle loading devices known as "potato guns." These potato guns are constructed from PVC plastic tubing. They use hair spray or a similar aerosol substance for a propellant, and have some type of spark ignitor. We have determined that these devices, as described, are not firearms provided that they are used solely for launching potatoes for recreational purposes. However, any such devices which are used as weapons or used to launch other forms of projectiles may be firearms and destructive devices as defined.



Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Firearms Technology Branch, Room 6450

650 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20226


Sincerely yours,

Curtis H. A. Bartlett Acting Chief, Firearms Technology Branch

_____________________________________________________________

Looks like a fun use for golfballs. :smokin:

<><Fish
 
Yea, I should have cut up the pumpkin (after having my fun with it of course, but hopefully all the seeds that are scattered in the woods will produce next year.

I guess as long as I don't use it as a weapon I will be good. I wonder if paintball counts... It makes a reallllly good paintball 'shotgun', but I sure as heck know I don't want to be hit by 15 paintballs at one time at that speed...

It is a pretty simple design, and if you can't TIG weld, one could be made out of PVC using a modified sprinkler valve.


golfball_cannon.sized.jpg
 
put a longer barrell on it and youll get better accuracy.


Accuracy is not the problem. Aiming is the problem. Shooting from the hip is tough. That is not to say they go straight everytime, but it does pretty well. I want to turn down some wooden stakes on the wood lathe to see just how accurate it can be, because if I cut some fins in them, they should fly fairly straight.
 
Wow, shooting wooden stakes? Now we're getting dangerous.

A thought though... if you cut fins in them, so that they are no longer perfectly round, won't you lose a lot of your propulsion from air escaping around it during release?

My brother made a similar deal out of schedule 80 PVC, used it as a potato gun, and also as a physics-class project. His nozzle was larger, 2", I think... so we spent days shooting all kinds of crap down the street. Could lob a potato 150 yards easy. Assuming it didn't drag/catch on the "barrel", it which case it'd explode.... shotgun effect...

What we found was that bt far the best ammo was things that made a nice fit w/o any air passage. AKA, 2" round. Like an orange....
 
I would just cut the fins near the back of the stake, not the full length of it. Dangerous yes, if you point it at someone. I would feel safer shooting wooden stakes than golfballs, at least they wouldn't ricochet everywhere after hitting trees. There is plenty of woods behind my house, if I shoot a golfball up in any other direction, there is no telling where it would land. If I could find a field large enough, I feel for sure it would lauch a golfball at least 1000 yards.
 
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