How to Make a Paintball Art Cannon!

This super accurate paintball cannon is designed to be used to create art from far away. As you can see, we were able to create a smiley face from over 15 feet away!

Materials:

• 10 inch length of 2 inch PVC
• 3ft length of 3/4 inch PVC
• 2 inch PVC endcap
• 3/4 inch Ball Valve
• Schrader Valve or Tire Valve
• 3/4 inch Pipe Nipple
• 2 inch to 3/4 inch PVC Reducer
• 2 inch PVC Couple
• Thread Seal Tape
• PVC Primer and Cement
• Duct Tape
• .68 Caliber Paintballs
• Camera Tripod
• GoPro Handlebar Mount

*MAKE SURE ALL PVC MATERIALS ARE NSF PW PRESSURE RATED

Tools:

• Power Drill and Drill Bits
• Wrench
• Circular Saw

Use the PVC primer to coat the inside of on side of the ball valve and the outside of the last 2 inches of the 3/4 in PVC. Then paint over that with the cement. Put the pipe in the ball valve, turn it one quarter, and hold in place for 30 seconds. Do not get the primer on your clothes or work area because it will stain it. Make sure not to get primer or cement on the inside mechanism of the ball valve.

Wrap the thread of the pipe nipple with thread seal tape to create a tight fit. Then, Cover one end of the nipple and the other side of the ball valve with primer and cement. Next, repeat the process of fitting them together, turning the nipple one quarter, and holding for 30 seconds.

Apply your primer and cement to the outside of the reducer and the inside of the couple, fit together, give a quarter turn, and hold for 30 seconds.

Using the same process as before, use the primer and cement to attach the reducer to the pipe nipple. Now the couple, reducer, pipe nipple, ball valve, and 3/4 in PVC should all be connected.

Use the primer and cement to attach the 2" pipe to the couple at the end of the cannon. Continue to give a quarter turn and hold for 30 seconds to connect all PVC pieces.

Screw on the GoPro handlebar mount to the 3/4 in barrel, close to where it connects to the ball valve. Then, screw on the end mount to the piece where the camera attaches to the tripod. Then wrap duct tape around the mounts for stability. If this part is detachable on your tripod, then you can also take it off and use the mount as a handle.

Use the PVC primer and cement to attach the end cap to the open end of the 2" PVC. This will finish off the pressure chamber.

Drill a hole in the middle of the top of the end cap. The hole should be just under the size of the valve. Then, put the valve in the drill to screw itself in the hole. You can then use the wrench to tighten.

Attach the bike pump to the Schrader valve and pump air till full (usually around 10-15 pumps). Make sure the ball valve is closed while doing this. Then put a paintball in the barrel and quickly open the ball valve to shoot. Make sure not to shoot anyone or anything as it is very powerful. Always shoot in a safe place.