Good Job Joe! Thanks for taking all the time to make this video. I'm going to use it to retrieve my RC Airplanes out of the trees where I have been learning how to fly. I have been helping others to retrieve their planes too by using the sling shot method with good success, but this looks like more fun. People often suggest using a drone, but it can't get between the branches like this will. Thanks Again👍
Interesting design Mike. Pneumatic Antenna Launchers are extremely effective as you have found. Some fittings used here appear to not be pressure rated which is a concern, Only pressure rated fittings should be used. It looks like a couple of fittings on the end of the tank are not pressure rated (those have NSF-pw markings). The drum trap in particular with a large flat surface does not appear to be a pressure rated component. We also don't drill and tap holes through single thickness PVC (pressure gauge setup). I've seen failures that blew out the endcap with that technique. Going through double thickness (like the fill valve) is a much safer technique as crack propagation from the thread stress is attenuated. We used to use some epoxy but only for support and for sealing small holes in the valve. The primary joint was always PVC solvent cemented and a PVC ring is used to make the joint as deep as a standard solvent socket. Glad to see eye protection, that's very important. You might find that removing the flow restrictor from the end of the air duster will improve performance. Test it and see. SDR21 2.5" fits tennis balls much better than Schedule 40. It's a bit harder to find but worth it. Have fun and launch safe.
After tennis ball perhaps snap on a weight sufficient to drag the fishing line over and down. That allows one to back the weight back to the top limb and then lower it back through a straight channel kweping the feed line and antenna straight. An extra step, but worth it.
I really like your design, but my concern is that the drum trap that you are using is "NOT" rated for a pressure situation which your launcher is. If you use something else the design would be much safer.
Also, Joe I can’t get a brand new tennis ball to fit in 2 1/2inch electrical conduit. 3 inch seems too loose. How tight should the ball be in the barrel of the tube? Can it be free, or should it be tight?
I will have to see if I have any parts left. What parts are you having issues sourcing? The valves themselves came from Menards. They have glue in and threaded models. a.co/d/gxSvFSI
Here is a list of the needed parts and the part numbers that I used PART REQ QTY STORE PART# 10' 4" pvc 8" section Home depot 193879 4"pvc cap 1ea Menards 6891996 4" - 3" reducer 1ea Menards 6892076 Drum trap 1ea Menards 6897194 1 1/2" st elbow 1ea Menards 6897155 1 1/2" to 1" Bushing 2ea Menards 6897550 1 1/2" repair coupling 1ea Menards 6891828 2 1/2" cap` 1ea Menards 3652022 10' 2 1/2 pvc 16" section Menards 3652620 1" sprinkler valve 1ea Menards 6902056 1/4" st elbow 1ea Menards 6805827 1/4" close nipple 1ea Menards 6805429 blow gun 1ea Menards 2074631 gauge 1ea Menards 6911216 fill valve 1ea www.amazon.com/dp/B0899T3KTY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details Fishing reel 1ea Any that will hold 100yd of line or more tennis ball At least 1 Many sources large hose clamp 1ea www.amazon.com/Clamps-Adjustable-Stainless-Plumbing-Wrench/dp/B07K9LGPLW/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=12%22+hose+clamp&qid=1625536023&s=hi&sr=1-4 Small hose clamp 2ea www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Stainless-Steel-Clamps-Ducting/dp/B07HVBLVD2/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=4%22+hose+clamp&qid=1625536308&sr=8-3
1/8" pipe tap 1ea www.amazon.com/Drill-America-POU1-8NPTW-DRILL/dp/B01M4RXY21/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=1%2F8%22+and+1%2F4+npt+pipe+tap+set&qid=1625536424&sr=8-13 1/4" pipe tap 1ea www.amazon.com/Drill-America-POU1-4NPTW-DRILL/dp/B01MDV3A30/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=1%2F4+npt+pipe+tap&qid=1625536511&sr=8-3
people dont use tennis balls. 2.5" PVC is extremely PITA to find. use a tube sock with some nuts or sinkers in it. tie a knot it the sock and cut off the excess. use 1.25" PVC. You dont need a huge air chamber either. same volume as the barrel is fine. You also dont need a huge barrel. 18-24" is plenty.
So the 2.5 inch pvc that I used is available in the electrical section of every home center i go to. I chose tennis balls as they are light and soft. If it was to accidentally discharge and hit someone far safer then a sock full of metal weights. I nor my channel support the idea you have put forth and warn anyone considering building one of these to think about safety before all things.
@@N9TAX about 95% of air cannon antenna launcher videos and sellers use some kind of lead sinker or hard weight. You can use lead shot in sock if you like, similar to an arbors throw weight.
Interesting point. It is cast like all of the other fittings and not a foam core so I would assume it can handle what the elbows can. I cut apart the other half to make sure.
Good Job Joe!
Thanks for taking all the time to make this video. I'm going to use it to retrieve my RC Airplanes out of the trees where I have been learning how to fly. I have been helping others to retrieve their planes too by using the sling shot method with good success, but this looks like more fun. People often suggest using a drone, but it can't get between the branches like this will. Thanks Again👍
I want to give you a shout out for your J pole antennas. They work!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interesting design Mike. Pneumatic Antenna Launchers are extremely effective as you have found. Some fittings used here appear to not be pressure rated which is a concern, Only pressure rated fittings should be used. It looks like a couple of fittings on the end of the tank are not pressure rated (those have NSF-pw markings). The drum trap in particular with a large flat surface does not appear to be a pressure rated component. We also don't drill and tap holes through single thickness PVC (pressure gauge setup). I've seen failures that blew out the endcap with that technique. Going through double thickness (like the fill valve) is a much safer technique as crack propagation from the thread stress is attenuated. We used to use some epoxy but only for support and for sealing small holes in the valve. The primary joint was always PVC solvent cemented and a PVC ring is used to make the joint as deep as a standard solvent socket. Glad to see eye protection, that's very important. You might find that removing the flow restrictor from the end of the air duster will improve performance. Test it and see. SDR21 2.5" fits tennis balls much better than Schedule 40. It's a bit harder to find but worth it. Have fun and launch safe.
This is a great build but I suggest you have a look at a couple videos by Nighthawkinlight about pneumatic piston valves for compressed air canons.
The way you built the barrel section, it looks like you could modify it (screw in) other barrel sizes. thanks for making the video
Genius, everything you do is extremely helpful. Much better than a slingshot. Thanks
Isn't apoxy and gluing the same thing?
Adding weight to the projectile helps a lot to reduce the weight getting stuck in the tree foliage on the way down.
Very informative. Thanks.
After tennis ball perhaps snap on a weight sufficient to drag the fishing line over and down. That allows one to back the weight back to the top limb and then lower it back through a straight channel kweping the feed line and antenna straight. An extra step, but worth it.
I hope you don't get those pvc shavings into the rainbird valve, it will mess it up.
awsome build cant wait to build this 7 3
Thank you. Such tool possible can be used to shot fishing tackle ~200 grams for about 200 meters?
Did you publish a parts list?
I really like your design, but my concern is that the drum trap that you are using is "NOT" rated for a pressure situation which your launcher is. If you use something else the design would be much safer.
Also, Joe I can’t get a brand new tennis ball to fit in 2 1/2inch electrical conduit. 3 inch seems too loose. How tight should the ball be in the barrel of the tube? Can it be free, or should it be tight?
I have encountered the same problem. Following for what Joe says
can you make you make a video of how you put together the mark II with the screw in feature. I'm having trouble finding the proper parts.
I will have to see if I have any parts left. What parts are you having issues sourcing? The valves themselves came from Menards. They have glue in and threaded models. a.co/d/gxSvFSI
Here is a list of the needed parts and the part numbers that I used
PART REQ QTY STORE PART#
10' 4" pvc 8" section Home depot 193879
4"pvc cap 1ea Menards 6891996
4" - 3" reducer 1ea Menards 6892076
Drum trap 1ea Menards 6897194
1 1/2" st elbow 1ea Menards 6897155
1 1/2" to 1" Bushing 2ea Menards 6897550
1 1/2" repair coupling 1ea Menards 6891828
2 1/2" cap` 1ea Menards 3652022
10' 2 1/2 pvc 16" section Menards 3652620
1" sprinkler valve 1ea Menards 6902056
1/4" st elbow 1ea Menards 6805827
1/4" close nipple 1ea Menards 6805429
blow gun 1ea Menards 2074631
gauge 1ea Menards 6911216
fill valve 1ea www.amazon.com/dp/B0899T3KTY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Fishing reel 1ea Any that will hold 100yd of line or more
tennis ball At least 1 Many sources
large hose clamp 1ea www.amazon.com/Clamps-Adjustable-Stainless-Plumbing-Wrench/dp/B07K9LGPLW/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=12%22+hose+clamp&qid=1625536023&s=hi&sr=1-4
Small hose clamp 2ea www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Stainless-Steel-Clamps-Ducting/dp/B07HVBLVD2/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=4%22+hose+clamp&qid=1625536308&sr=8-3
1/8" pipe tap 1ea www.amazon.com/Drill-America-POU1-8NPTW-DRILL/dp/B01M4RXY21/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=1%2F8%22+and+1%2F4+npt+pipe+tap+set&qid=1625536424&sr=8-13
1/4" pipe tap 1ea www.amazon.com/Drill-America-POU1-4NPTW-DRILL/dp/B01MDV3A30/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=1%2F4+npt+pipe+tap&qid=1625536511&sr=8-3
people dont use tennis balls. 2.5" PVC is extremely PITA to find. use a tube sock with some nuts or sinkers in it. tie a knot it the sock and cut off the excess. use 1.25" PVC. You dont need a huge air chamber either. same volume as the barrel is fine. You also dont need a huge barrel. 18-24" is plenty.
So the 2.5 inch pvc that I used is available in the electrical section of every home center i go to. I chose tennis balls as they are light and soft. If it was to accidentally discharge and hit someone far safer then a sock full of metal weights. I nor my channel support the idea you have put forth and warn anyone considering building one of these to think about safety before all things.
@@N9TAX about 95% of air cannon antenna launcher videos and sellers use some kind of lead sinker or hard weight. You can use lead shot in sock if you like, similar to an arbors throw weight.
Rainbird 1" valve model #? Part #?
Plz
Where did you get the anti-snag cone? I can't find them anywhere?
The cone I made on my 3d printer. And frankly I didn't end up using it a lot.
Be careful. I don’t think that trap is pressure rated.
Interesting point. It is cast like all of the other fittings and not a foam core so I would assume it can handle what the elbows can. I cut apart the other half to make sure.