The PractiCannon
Ah, my final combustion before packing up for college. Indeed, the last combustion I owned before I got rid of it before moving again.
I built this thing originally to be a collosus of PVC, steel fittings, and hose clamps. However, sometime during 2009, I realized that this wasn't keeping in the launcher's namesake, so I revised it to be much simpler, although slightly slower to load. No harm done.
The revised version accomplished fueling via a female quick-disconnect coupling which the original propane meter is attached to during loading. Fuel mixing is accomplished by a small handheld fan which was bolted and epoxied to the inside of the chamber. Ignition is a lantern igniter which uses flint and a steel file-wheel.
The original launcher even had a backup propane tank. Who the hell is going to need a backup propane tank when they exhaust the 500-odd "shots" already in the first? And who won't be able to pack along a spare in their truck or something? Point made.
Specifications
Chamber: 4x14"
Barrel: 1-1/2x72" (1-1/2" SDR-21 for golfballs)
Fueling: metered propane/MAPP
Fuel mixing: handheld brushed DC fan
Ignition: flint lantern igniter
Images
The first picture represents the monstrosity that was the original version. The final pictures are the revised version of April 2009. The revised version has some holes which are unused which are plugged with the screw that went in them originally and some teflon gas tape. Slightly perturbing aesthetically but just fine otherwise...
Cheesy Video