my student builds a golfball mortar for class!!!

Apple a Day · January 13, 2001, 09:57 AM

For those who scoff at public schools:
My semester project for the kids was to build a 'device' to shoot a golf ball into a large coffee can from at least 2 meters away. They also get points for the max distance they can heave the ball. They have to include a description of how their device employs ballistic theory in accomplishing this task.
One of my students, named Christina, asked me to come by the school this morning (Saturday) to watch her test her design, which is due this coming Wednesday. She had designed and built a PVC golf ball mortar!
The baseplate is a 'T' made of wood. There is a pipe about one meter long wired to the plate perpendicular to the tube. At one end of the pipe is the nozzle. At the center of that pipe is a 'T' joint from which extends the barrel. At the junction is a release valve.
One of the big problems with the design is that there is no golf ball-sized PVC tube so there must be some sort of sabot or wadding to form a seal. She used caps meant to go over the ends of the pipes but sanded down the rims until they slide into the tube. With another skinny pipe as a ramrod she pushed the cap down, inserted the ball, and pumped up the reservoire pipe.
With 24psi the golf ball launched from slightly behind one goal post- past the far goal post, over the track which surrounds the football field, over the equipment shed, and 50 meters beyond that into the woods/swamp. It was a good 200 meters. The tubes are rated to 74 psi! I don't think we will go above 50 psi just because the ball will end up going out of view and possible hitting nearby houses.
She has a little more work to do to nail down the short-range accuracy but she is almost there. She will get an A+. I am proud of my student, I am, I am!
I am looking forward to seeing what else the kids come up with. Every year there are novel designs. I will try to post a link to the pictures some time in the near future.

Keiller TN · January 13, 2001, 10:20 AM

Cool! What a fun project, Apple a day.

C.R.Sam · January 13, 2001, 11:02 AM

Goodonya......to teach and student!!

Sam...bang is good, BANG is gooder.

JHS · January 13, 2001, 11:39 AM

Now just where is the Principle's house?

George Hill · January 13, 2001, 11:45 AM

Sweeeeet.

Sounds like a fun class.

**Mike Irwin** · January 13, 2001, 11:52 AM

Did something similar with steel-walled pipe many years ago, only this was hooked up to a compressed air tank with a dump valve.

It did go the WHOLE way through a concrete block at close range.

It went through a Chevy Chevette car door.

We took it out onto one of the river islands on the Susquehanna, and estimate that some of them went well over a mile.

Smart kid.

Sisco · January 13, 2001, 12:10 PM

Use a styrofoam cup cut down to pipe diamater as wadding. When I get home this evening I'll post a URAL for a site with instructions for a pneumatic paintball/golf ball cannon.

**4V50 Gary** · January 13, 2001, 01:03 PM

Shades of the cruiser Vesuvius (which launched dynamite during the Spanish-American War). Congratulations to your pupil.

Reasonable Rascal · January 13, 2001, 01:06 PM

Methinks we needs both moreteachers like this as well as students willing to learn and not toe the party line. "Ewww! Mr./Mrs. (Ms.?) Apple is making us build GUNS! Isn't that illEEEgal?"

Whatever happened to the days when chemistry class meant experimenting with chemicals that made bangs (not BOOMS) as a way of understanding exothermic reactions? When was the last time a teacher assigned students projects involving bulding ballistas or catapults to gain an understanding of physics? I suppose even Rudyard Kipling is being banned because he talks about soldiering.

Apple, I salute you!

RR

Gewehr98 · January 13, 2001, 02:37 PM

How about some pictures of the finished product, the student, and the proud teacher?

(I do that high-school military mentor thing for science class on Fridays, and was thinking about that LN/water jug rocket for a project)

The specialist · January 13, 2001, 03:02 PM

Forget the pics how about plans. Maybe I could win back some of the funds I lost on the golf course.

Dr.Rob · January 13, 2001, 05:20 PM

Sounds like someone has been watching Junkyard Wars.. very cool assignment.

Sisco · January 13, 2001, 09:14 PM

Here's the URAL I promised. Illustrated directions for building a pnuematic cannon. Enjoy!http://corin.com/bill/paintball/aircannon/

Cougar · January 14, 2001, 03:59 PM

I ran across a web site a year or so ago about building SpudGuns. If I recall correctly, they were basically using air cannon technology to power the spuds. The neat part was that they have a source for rifled PVC pipe! Imagine the potential accuracy improvement! Those spuds are hell to balance (spin stabalize) though.

Try doing a web search for spud guns and see what turns up!

We've come a long way from the tennis ball cannons of 25 years ago. (You know, the beer cans taped together, the firing chamber being charged with cigarette lighter fluid....)

Kaboom · January 14, 2001, 04:09 PM

Here is tishttp://www.goldmann.com/spudgun.html. My son has three of them. One pneumatic and two combustion. When everything is right they are all impressive. The pneumatic is by far the most powerful.

Dennis Olson · January 14, 2001, 04:32 PM

Golf gun. Hmmmm.....

Going for that par-3 2000 yd hole?

Sisco · January 14, 2001, 07:47 PM

I want to build one of these, a black powder golf ball cannon.
http://diamondbackembroidery.com/cannon/
They claim a range of 1000 yards. Showed it to a couple of engineers where I work, they got real interested and we have plenty of boiler tube available.

Bogie · January 15, 2001, 11:08 AM

You may wanna point that kid to http://www.punkinchunkin.com...

Flotsam · January 15, 2001, 08:37 PM

You guys ever watch Junkyard Wars on The Learning Channel (wednesday nights in my area). They have a lot of neat projects, everything from build a dragster to build a cannon (in under 12 hours). Very neat, good educational value (lots of physics & engineering concepts are explained)

Sam

SlackO · January 15, 2001, 09:28 PM

If they take our autos well take 'em with bolt action, if they take our bolt action we'll go pneumatic.

golf ball at 900 fps that's gotta hurt....

RobertR · January 16, 2001, 01:55 PM

That sure would help my golf game. I even bought new irons and woods, (King Cobra's), and it has'nt helped much.

I remember building a tennis ball cannon. About 6 or so tin type cans, taped together with the top and bottom removed, a small hole for lighter fluid and another hole for a Colman striker. Shot the tennis ball about 100 yards. Kind of like a potato cannon some are familiar with.

Good job with your student.

Apple a Day · January 16, 2001, 05:53 PM

Things are going pretty well so far. Tommorrow is the big day. I will try to post some pics and link them here. Entries so far include the "Spitting Llama", "Satan's Slingshot". "Ricolah", and the "Chadapult" (designed after the butterfly ballot). Pics soon.

Apple a Day · January 17, 2001, 08:48 PM

Here is a link (I hope) to the pictures. The mortar that shot 250 yards today is listed as "MORTAR".

http://content.communities.msn.com/i...ics&ID_Topic=2

For the administrators I thank you for your tolerance.

January 13, 2001, 09:57 AM	#1
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,452	For those who scoff at public schools: My semester project for the kids was to build a 'device' to shoot a golf ball into a large coffee can from at least 2 meters away. They also get points for the max distance they can heave the ball. They have to include a description of how their device employs ballistic theory in accomplishing this task. One of my students, named Christina, asked me to come by the school this morning (Saturday) to watch her test her design, which is due this coming Wednesday. She had designed and built a PVC golf ball mortar! The baseplate is a 'T' made of wood. There is a pipe about one meter long wired to the plate perpendicular to the tube. At one end of the pipe is the nozzle. At the center of that pipe is a 'T' joint from which extends the barrel. At the junction is a release valve. One of the big problems with the design is that there is no golf ball-sized PVC tube so there must be some sort of sabot or wadding to form a seal. She used caps meant to go over the ends of the pipes but sanded down the rims until they slide into the tube. With another skinny pipe as a ramrod she pushed the cap down, inserted the ball, and pumped up the reservoire pipe. With 24psi the golf ball launched from slightly behind one goal post- past the far goal post, over the track which surrounds the football field, over the equipment shed, and 50 meters beyond that into the woods/swamp. It was a good 200 meters. The tubes are rated to 74 psi! I don't think we will go above 50 psi just because the ball will end up going out of view and possible hitting nearby houses. She has a little more work to do to nail down the short-range accuracy but she is almost there. She will get an A+. I am proud of my student, I am, I am! I am looking forward to seeing what else the kids come up with. Every year there are novel designs. I will try to post a link to the pictures some time in the near future. __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

January 13, 2001, 01:06 PM	#9
Reasonable Rascal Member Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 22	Methinks we needs both moreteachers like this as well as students willing to learn and not toe the party line. "Ewww! Mr./Mrs. (Ms.?) Apple is making us build GUNS! Isn't that illEEEgal?" Whatever happened to the days when chemistry class meant experimenting with chemicals that made bangs (not BOOMS) as a way of understanding exothermic reactions? When was the last time a teacher assigned students projects involving bulding ballistas or catapults to gain an understanding of physics? I suppose even Rudyard Kipling is being banned because he talks about soldiering. Apple, I salute you! RR __________________ Life is to be cherished and not surrendered lightly

January 14, 2001, 03:59 PM	#14
Cougar Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2000 Location: N.E. Ohio Posts: 637	Air Cannons I ran across a web site a year or so ago about building SpudGuns. If I recall correctly, they were basically using air cannon technology to power the spuds. The neat part was that they have a source for rifled PVC pipe! Imagine the potential accuracy improvement! Those spuds are hell to balance (spin stabalize) though. Try doing a web search for spud guns and see what turns up! We've come a long way from the tennis ball cannons of 25 years ago. (You know, the beer cans taped together, the firing chamber being charged with cigarette lighter fluid....) __________________ Remember, just because you are not paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you!

January 16, 2001, 05:53 PM	#22
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,452	Things are going pretty well so far. Tommorrow is the big day. I will try to post some pics and link them here. Entries so far include the "Spitting Llama", "Satan's Slingshot". "Ricolah", and the "Chadapult" (designed after the butterfly ballot). Pics soon. __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

January 17, 2001, 08:48 PM	#23
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,452	Pictures! Here is a link (I hope) to the pictures. The mortar that shot 250 yards today is listed as "MORTAR". http://content.communities.msn.com/i...ics&ID_Topic=2 For the administrators I thank you for your tolerance. __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

January 13, 2001, 10:20 AM	#2
Keiller TN Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2000 Posts: 483	Cool! What a fun project, Apple a day.

January 13, 2001, 11:02 AM	#3
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,876	Goodonya......to teach and student!! Sam...bang is good, BANG is gooder.

January 13, 2001, 11:39 AM	#4
JHS Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: Goodwell,Ok. Posts: 505	Now just where is the Principle's house?

January 13, 2001, 11:45 AM	#5
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Lapoint, Utah Posts: 11,479	Sweeeeet. Sounds like a fun class.

January 13, 2001, 11:52 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 21,782	Did something similar with steel-walled pipe many years ago, only this was hooked up to a compressed air tank with a dump valve. It did go the WHOLE way through a concrete block at close range. It went through a Chevy Chevette car door. We took it out onto one of the river islands on the Susquehanna, and estimate that some of them went well over a mile. Smart kid.

January 13, 2001, 12:10 PM	#7
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,560	Use a styrofoam cup cut down to pipe diamater as wadding. When I get home this evening I'll post a URAL for a site with instructions for a pneumatic paintball/golf ball cannon.

January 13, 2001, 01:03 PM	#8
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: California Posts: 13,263	Shades of the cruiser Vesuvius (which launched dynamite during the Spanish-American War). Congratulations to your pupil.

January 13, 2001, 02:37 PM	#10
Gewehr98 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2000 Location: Token Creek, WI Posts: 4,067	How about some pictures of the finished product, the student, and the proud teacher? (I do that high-school military mentor thing for science class on Fridays, and was thinking about that LN/water jug rocket for a project)

January 13, 2001, 03:02 PM	#11
The specialist Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2000 Location: boston,MA,USA Posts: 237	Forget the pics how about plans. Maybe I could win back some of the funds I lost on the golf course.

January 13, 2001, 05:20 PM	#12
Dr.Rob Staff Alumnus Join Date: July 28, 1999 Location: Denver Posts: 2,457	Sounds like someone has been watching Junkyard Wars.. very cool assignment.

January 13, 2001, 09:14 PM	#13
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,560	Here's the URAL I promised. Illustrated directions for building a pnuematic cannon. Enjoy!http://corin.com/bill/paintball/aircannon/

January 14, 2001, 04:09 PM	#15
Kaboom Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2000 Location: North Mo. Posts: 640	Here is tishttp://www.goldmann.com/spudgun.html. My son has three of them. One pneumatic and two combustion. When everything is right they are all impressive. The pneumatic is by far the most powerful.

January 14, 2001, 04:32 PM	#16
Dennis Olson Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 1999 Posts: 1,186	Golf gun. Hmmmm..... Going for that par-3 2000 yd hole?

January 14, 2001, 07:47 PM	#17
Sisco Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Location: KS Posts: 1,560	I want to build one of these, a black powder golf ball cannon. http://diamondbackembroidery.com/cannon/ They claim a range of 1000 yards. Showed it to a couple of engineers where I work, they got real interested and we have plenty of boiler tube available.

January 15, 2001, 11:08 AM	#18
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: St. Louis, Misery Posts: 3,763	You may wanna point that kid to http://www.punkinchunkin.com...

January 15, 2001, 08:37 PM	#19
Flotsam Member Join Date: February 4, 1999 Location: CT Posts: 40	You guys ever watch Junkyard Wars on The Learning Channel (wednesday nights in my area). They have a lot of neat projects, everything from build a dragster to build a cannon (in under 12 hours). Very neat, good educational value (lots of physics & engineering concepts are explained) Sam

January 15, 2001, 09:28 PM	#20
SlackO Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 1999 Posts: 345	If they take our autos well take 'em with bolt action, if they take our bolt action we'll go pneumatic. golf ball at 900 fps that's gotta hurt....

January 16, 2001, 01:55 PM	#21
RobertR Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2000 Location: Littleton, Colorado, USA Posts: 192	That sure would help my golf game. I even bought new irons and woods, (King Cobra's), and it has'nt helped much. I remember building a tennis ball cannon. About 6 or so tin type cans, taped together with the top and bottom removed, a small hole for lighter fluid and another hole for a Colman striker. Shot the tennis ball about 100 yards. Kind of like a potato cannon some are familiar with. Good job with your student.