Unfortunate cannon accident

[Powder keg]

http://www.vnews.com/07042006/3181740.htm

I read about this earlier. Very sad I wish people would stop using water pipe for cannons. They need to be more educated in the safe firing and construction of cannons.

Later,

[Santa Dave]

I'm wondering,
Should we have a sticky for cannon accidents?
My adult grandson is talking about making a cannon.(he's  not on the internet) And I would love to send him pictures of what can go wrong with Comments & instructions that go beyond "Don't try this at home"
Maybe some of us can come up with a pdf "So you want to build a cannon!" showing just how much planning, skill, and attention to detail it takes along with equipment & material.
Any thoughts?
Dave

[GGaskill]

In today's lawyer surplus society, I would stay away (as far as possible) from publishing anything regarding making cannons.  Better for the makers to be responsible for their own mistakes of research (or lack thereof) and judgment.  It would probably be reasonably safe to make a document detailing what not to do, such as using water pipe, using smokeless powder, etc.

[Cat Whisperer]

I'm wondering,
Should we have a sticky for cannon accidents?
My adult grandson is talking about making a cannon.(he's  not on the internet) And I would love to send him pictures of what can go wrong with Comments & instructions that go beyond "Don't try this at home"
Maybe some of us can come up with a pdf "So you want to build a cannon!" showing just how much planning, skill, and attention to detail it takes along with equipment & material.
Any thoughts?
Dave

We've chosen to publish a sticky giving a clear warning and references to two nationally known organizations' rules for SAFE procedures and design rules-of-thumb.

A FEW of us are engineers, and of those a FEW with the specialized knowledge/experience of designing firearms professionally.  BUT, by following others' experience of proven successfull designs (coupled with prudent loading) safety can be achieved.

I think also, when folks here have gone through the design processes and posed such questions here, that there have been many features examined and critiqued with regard to safety.  I consider that good.

[Double D]

...and we do have a cannon accidnet sticky.  I'll get this one link in also.

[Cannonmaker]

I tell people that in the early days of artillery it was allmost as dangerous for the artillery crew as was for the enemy down range.  They would often put the "trouble makers" as the cannon crew.  I tell people there is no need to reinvent the wheel,  we learn from their mistakes (if were willing to listen and learn) and use the proper materials and procidures.
About three years ago a man in Salt Lake City told me of a cannon he and his son built from pipe about three layers thick.  I told him I would never ever do that, that it was not safe and not to fire the gun. There is over 30,000 recipe's for metals, the steel in pipe is at the lower end. This man seamed so sure it was safe. less than a year later a young man was killed when the cannon he and his dad built blew up.  Make of pipe and too much powder, smokless I think it was. 

Dave,  if you would like I will call your grandson and talk to Him about safty and cannon making.  Just E-mail me his phone # and name.    Rick

[GGaskill]

There is no excuse except blind stupidity if anyone we know, and know they're doing it, builds a cannon to a deficient standard.  Don't wait to be asked if someone starts down the wrong path with an underdesigned cannon.

[reddog]

Very sad indeed. I remember from when I was A kid. steel pipe = PIPE BOMB!!!!!! Powderkeg your right about being educated in building A cannon. If you dont Know how dont do it!! If you dont know how buy one from A reputible seller. I got my first cannon last Christmas as A gift from my wife( gotta love her) from A reputible seller. Luckily I found this websight before I attemped to fire it, I read every post on this forum. I just finished my first can of powder, All done safely thanks to this websight. I've been on this planet for 47 years, I plan on being here for another 47!!!