In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
Question for cannon experts.
badwrench
Member Posts: 1,000 ✭✭✭✭
I have an old hydraulic ram (approx pool-ball sized bore[}:)]) and I had the idea of making a cannon from it. It's a pretty short ram (2-feet overall, retracted) and pretty heavy duty. The seals are shot and my boss was going to toss it, but the cylinder is in tip-top shape with no cracks or repairs. It is a one-piece cylinder, not the tie-rod type.
I know hydraulics employ really high pressures and I am wondering if the cylinder would handle a moderate charge (maybe an ounce or so volume) of black powder and some wadding. I want big boom! UNGAWA!
I know of a bowling-ball firing cannon made from an oxygen cylinder, so I figure "why not?".
Would I be flirting with disaster here?
I know hydraulics employ really high pressures and I am wondering if the cylinder would handle a moderate charge (maybe an ounce or so volume) of black powder and some wadding. I want big boom! UNGAWA!
I know of a bowling-ball firing cannon made from an oxygen cylinder, so I figure "why not?".
Would I be flirting with disaster here?
Comments
[;)]
What "swamp" are you talking about? Suisun?
Merc
Tap the cylinder and thread the breech plug. Welded breech plugs cause catastrophic failures. The corrosive firing residue is driven into the pores of the weld, where it rusts the breech from the inside out.
Bill
I'm sure his last words were, "Hey y'all, watch this!!!"
RIP Badwrench.
btw, can I have your harley if you don't make it??[:D][:D]
Even after proofing do be careful. amature(sp) cannons are dangerous. My next project is a bigger AND better one.[}:)][}:)][}:)]
Hydraulic cylinders are typically designed for 3,000 PSI or 10,000 PSI maximum working pressure. The one-piece design is typically an agricultural application, which would probably be under 5,000 PSI. The burst strength is normally 2 - 3 times working pressure. Chamber pressures can reach 50,000 PSI, though black powder should be lower, but it is not worth the risk.
If you really need a cannon, spend the $ 500.00 and get a tube designed and proven for the application.
Brad Steele
http://tinyurl.com/gtjjq