How to Build a Simple Miniature Air Cannon

I will take you through the simple test of how to construct an air-powered cannon using not a lot of materials. Very safe and very fun! I decided to make this because I'm one of those people that find the idea of a cannon, (whether it's air-powered or combustion-powered), to be very interesting!

Supplies

1) 1 1/4" PVC Pipe

2) 1 1/4" PVC End Cap

3) 2 1/4" PVC Adapters

4) Schrader Valve

5) PVC Tape

6) PVC Glue and Cleaner

7) Ball Valve

8) Drill

9) Electric or Manual Air Pump

10) Assortment of Test Projectiles

1) Make an Approximately 12 Inch Cut in the PVC. (One Will Be the Barrel, and One Will Be the Air Chamber.)

Use the hand saw to cut a 12-inch section out of the 1/4" PVC pipe.

2) Use PVC Cleaner and Glue to Attach the PVC Adapters to Each End of the PVC Pipe.

3) Using PVC Tape, Attach Both Ends of the PVC Pipe to the Valve.

4) Drill a Hole Into the Air Chamber and Using PVC Glue, Connect the Schrader Valve to the Cannon.

Use PVC glue to prevent air from leaking out. (All glue applied to this cannon will take about an hour to harden.)

5) Attach the PVC End Cap to the End of the Air Chamber.

6) Stick a Projectile All the Way Down the Barrel, Pump Up the Chamber Until the Pressure Hits 120-140 Psi, Then Turn the Valve!

A grape is the best projectile to use because it is dense and fits perfectly in the pipe.