T Shirt Cannon DIY

Jim has built potato cannons before but needed to move up to the adult necessity catagory to launch T Shirts and Stress balls to crowds for entertainment at sporting events. The expence of purchasing such a device prompted him to build on instead. He ended up with 3. Starting with big, then a repeater ball launcher and finally a mini version that ended up being the favorite of them all. The first one was too powerful and lacked intricate control of distance but was impressive! The ball launcher is a crowd pleaser and show stopped. The mini worked very well getting T Shrits and balls to the upper levels of the grand stands and parking lot tail gate parties etc. Due to plastic shatter charicteristis Jim chose Aluminum and welding and his fabricatoin skills to make components that are not readily available on the market. The Paint Ball industry was helpful for many parts, hydraulic industry for others, home improvement centers and local metal supplie houses for others. The list can not be found in one location! Period! Those that make professional launchers do not share the information and the ones that I have looked at are not durable or easily repaired. Jims design is both. As simple as this presentation is, it is complete if you are a DIYer. Remember Safety is important this is not a toy and has many ways to harm you, including hearing. Always be cautious, never let anyone use it without basic training and with all things, practice make better practice and you find what you need for spare parts. The o-ring on the tank for one, you should have several, they tear. Always store your Co2 on ice in an ice chest, the over pressure plug will blow if you leave them in a hot car. Folding the t shirts just right is another area to get down to a science. Fold in thirds and roll up tight, one X cross rubber band at each end works well. A spare piece of barrel pipe for your T shirt rolling helpers aids in knowing they did good or not. Too loose of a fit and less distance, too tight and distance changes. Consistancy is the key! Good luck and be safe! If you like the Music it is By the Blue Man Group and can be purchased from many sources like I did when attending many of their concerts.