Author Topic: 2009 4th of July FIRECRACKER cannon Contest! (Read 5273 times)

Cat Whisperer · « **on:** May 25, 2009, 07:48:43 AM »

Here's the challange:

Design, build, fire and take pictures of a fire-cracker cannon.

Categories are not yet determined, now is the time to toss out ideas.

Prizes are not yet in hand, but the winner gets a day in Philadelphia, 2nd prize winner gets 2 days. (All expenses to be paid for by the winners.)

I'm thinking of a multiple-firecracker lanucher ....

All the usual precautions and advisiments to keep well within the law apply.

lance · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:08:34 AM »

I'd like to make a Billinghurst Requa volley gun, don't have the material to make a Vandenberg volley gun. You did say multiple firecracker launcher right?

Ex 49'er · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:28:52 AM »

I'm gonna sit this one out. Firecrackerz are a no-no in the Peoples Republik of Kalerforny.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:55:57 AM »

Quote from: Ex 49'er on May 25, 2009, 08:28:52 AM

I'm gonna sit this one out. Firecrackerz are a no-no in the Peoples Republik of Kalerforny.

We will build and celebrate, though grieving your situation.

Feel free to propose ideas for cannons and categories of competitions.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:57:18 AM »

Quote from: lance on May 25, 2009, 08:08:34 AM

I'd like to make a Billinghurst Requa volley gun, don't have the material to make a Vandenberg volley gun. You did say multiple firecracker launcher right?

This immdeiately suggests two major categories:

a) single firecracker, and

b) multiple firecracker.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:58:51 AM »

And in the single firecracker category, two subcategories:

1. Firecracker only, and

2. Firecracker assisted with blackpowder.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:50:54 AM »

And in the multiple firecracker subcategory:

Single barrel and
Multiple barrel.

KABAR2 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:58:32 AM »

O.k. I have played with cannon with bores 1 1/4 " and above

so I am not really up on what constitutes a "Firecracker cannon"

yes I am guessing they fire a firecracker down range, other than that?

Also how about a section for those who would like to enter larger projects?

cannons & mortars 50 cal and above?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2009, 03:16:36 PM »

THIS contest is for firecracker cannons - it GOES with the 4th of July!

In the FUTURE we WILL have contests for other cannons and mortars!

Most firecracker cannons simply use firecrackers as the noise maker.

Some are breech-loading, some not.

This contest is to explore some alternative designs.

I EXPECT ONE of our sponsors to enter an ELEGANT BRASS version since that's what he does best!

Perhaps we should have a category for commercial production models (for those who do not have the inclination to build their own).

Fire cracker cannons are some of the most fun packed into the least expense of ALL the cannons and mortar I've played with!!!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2009, 03:21:04 PM »

Quote from: KABAR2 on May 25, 2009, 10:58:32 AM

O.k. I have played with cannon with bores 1 1/4 " and above
so I am not really up on what constitutes a "Firecracker cannon"
yes I am guessing they fire a firecracker down range, other than that?
Also how about a section for those who would like to enter larger projects?
cannons & mortars 50 cal and above?

Now, If you want to figure out how to fit a 1.25" bore cannon into the category of 'firecracker' cannon; we'll make a category for it!

I made a GOLF-BALL motar (1-caliber bore length) initially to be used with firecrackers as the propellant. Firecrackers didn't have enough oomph. Neither did 4F.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2009, 03:24:37 PM »

Having JUST said that; how about a category for the 'best' fire-cracker cannon PARTY!!??

"best" is a word that can be defined as "....".

Double D · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2009, 03:58:35 PM »

Can some one post dimensions of the common fireacracker?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2009, 04:19:40 PM »

NOMINAL dimensions are 1-1/4 x 1/4" in diameter. BUT since they are not UNIFORM about a .30 cal bore does OK.

With that now said, I'll go measure a few.

lance · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:34:44 PM »

I'm going to limit my design to shoot 5 or 6 firecrackers at a time. That should be loud enough, if not, we can tape a bunch together and stuff them in a golfball mortar. Tim, your big mortar should hold a few hundred firecrackers, if you would want to do that.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2009, 03:36:08 PM »

4.5" diameter - how many .3 or .25 diameter firecrackers? A BUNCH!~

Didn't get to measure them, sorry. We're in Hazleton PA right now, headed in the AM to Maine.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 26, 2009, 07:30:51 PM »

The most common size for modern crackers is 1.50'' X .25''.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:28:05 PM »

Quote from: Boom J on May 26, 2009, 07:30:51 PM

The most common size for modern crackers is 1.50'' X .25''.

THANKS, BoomJ -

Raining now in Portland, ME. Been through so many states in the last few hours - one greeted us with a big blue sign at the border that fireworks were illegal!

To bad folks can't be safe.

lance · « **Reply #17 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:53:06 PM »

I'm working on a 5 shot, hope to test it soon. Don't know if all five will go off at once, or if there will be a delay between shots.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #18 on:** May 27, 2009, 03:24:27 PM »

I want to do several - 'cause I can't make up my mind on which ONE to do.

Something smallish with more than one barrel; barrels side by side.

Something a bit bigger with more than one parallel holes in one cylindrical tube.

Something a bit bigger yet with multiple holes that are conjoined - a cookie shaped hole that would take 3-5-7 firecrackers.

hmmmm. Still raining here in Maine.

irishman · « **Reply #19 on:** May 27, 2009, 03:44:20 PM »

Quote from: Cat Whisperer on May 27, 2009, 03:24:27 PM

I want to do several - 'cause I can't make up my mind on which ONE to do.

Something smallish with more than one barrel; barrels side by side.

Something a bit bigger with more than one parallel holes in one cylindrical tube.

Something a bit bigger yet with multiple holes that are conjoined - a cookie shaped hole that would take 3-5-7 firecrackers.

hmmmm. Still raining here in Maine.

Tim, You keepin me awake thinkin about what to make.

Michael

You keepin me awake

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #20 on:** May 27, 2009, 04:41:43 PM »

YES!!!!

lance · « **Reply #21 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:53:53 PM »

Was just going to make one, now i'm working on a single shot,and a multi-shot.

irishman · « **Reply #22 on:** May 28, 2009, 03:57:02 PM »

Thinking about, maybe 6, like a revolver. on a fence post, a skinny one.

I got some of the Black Cat, named Little Dynamite......same dimensions (1.5X.25) as the original ones that I've always used. I'm not so sure that I like them. I will see if they will really fire underwater as I've been told.

Seems like there should be a reliable way to light one fuse to get all 6 to fire.

Michael

cannonmn · « **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2009, 04:42:30 AM »

OK I'm actually thinking of something for the "most outrageous" category, if I get the time. If I succeed with the preposterous design I have in mind, it'll have to win something!

irishman · « **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2009, 02:39:02 PM »

Quote from: cannonmn on May 29, 2009, 04:42:30 AM

OK I'm actually thinking of something for the "most outrageous" category, if I get the time. If I succeed with the preposterous design I have in mind, it'll have to win something!

I think that the winner of the "most outrageous" category should win something Preposterous!

Who will be the Judges?

Those little red crackers do detonate under water.

Michael

cannonmn · « **Reply #25 on:** May 29, 2009, 02:52:03 PM »

I will of course have to use simulated firecrackers since real ones are illegal in VA. When the fuse on my phony phireworks burns out, I'll go "bang!" There will have to be a special category, "legally handicapped" participants.

lance · « **Reply #26 on:** May 29, 2009, 04:35:21 PM »

It works, well, all five 1/4" wood dowel rods went through the air! Sure hope Tim can get some firecrackers so we can test it. Anyway follow the pencil lines in the picture. Also note that there is room for 3 rows of holes. I can drill each row the same depth and use one fuse to fire a 15 shooter. Or i can drill each row 1/2" deeper than the next, and have 3 fuse holes-spaced 1/2" apart, and have a 3 x 5 shooter. Or i can add more holes and have a

? Anyway it's an experiment that works, sure did make a weird sound when it went off.

1Southpaw · « **Reply #27 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:28:33 PM »

A 12" piece of 3/8" pipe , threaded on one end , cap with a hole drilled for fuse . It's a breech loader I guess . Shoots mud balls .

cannonmn · « **Reply #28 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:42:18 PM »

'course if I were to somehow locate and import such illegal firecrackers into Virginia, then risk actually shooting them off, I'd want a massive amount of EXTRA CREDIT, y'know, bonus points on my project. That's only fair, don't y' think?

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #29 on:** May 30, 2009, 03:26:38 PM »

Several of US in Virginia may have to secede for a few hours of fierce combat with firecrackers and then rejoin the Union.