[SEL] Can Launching

[Jeff Allen]

Another method of launching from my buddies younger days. For the truly 
insane. Snip from his message:

>
Oh!  The one that worked the best was made from an old driveshaft.  One end 
was cut off, at the opposite end we had welded in a nut (14mm) to 
accommodate a spark plug.  It was fired with a coil and point/condenser set. 
To charge it, we would use acetylene, ether and oxygen ( you will have to 
experiment with the mix).  As I recall, we charged it through the spark plug 
hole and we already had some newspaper wadding in the discharge end.  After 
charging, we put the plug back in and loaded the tennis ball (beer can full 
of water worked well too) and rammed it down to compress the gasses, then 
all you had to do was secure the driveshaft and break the points.  It made a 
hell-of-a-lot of noise and would send a full beer about 2 blocks.

Also the same effect can be had with pvc pipe, hair spray, and potatoes. 
For this you use a lantern flint to ignite it.  This one is easier to build, 
if you want I'll try to come up with some instructions and an illustration.
>

Enjoy your launcher if you choose to build one, and pictures please. Use at 
your own risk, and that of others.

Regards,

Jeff Allen
Arvada, Colorado USA

http://oldengine.org/members/allen/
http://frapa.us/
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Barr" <stevebarr at ameritech.net>
To: <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 11:20 AM
Subject: [SEL] Can Launching


>I saw an excellent example of can launching this weekend.  A 3lb coffee
> can (empty of course) was launched from a large hp engine at the show in
> Delmont, PA.  This engine has a 10x10 BxS and is of a sideshaft varity.
> It launched the can quite high and came down to land in the manure
> spreader (used to move apple mash after being removed from the cider
> press).  The owner will not be identified, to protect the feelings of the
> manure spreader.  It was trully an excellent display of the power of these
> engines.  Pics from the show can be seen at:
>
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/sbarr/ShowReports/2004Delmont.htm
>
> I have launched plastic water bottles with ~1/2" of water in it for
> ballast from my 10hp Challenge.  At a local showa year or two back, there
> was a large field in front of us and a bunch of "troubled" students were
> brought out.  They ended up playing 500 catch with me launching it.  A
> great time was had by all that time.  I have not tried to launch pigeons
> yet, but may next year.  Do they fly well after launch???
>
> Steve
> _______________________________________________
> SEL mailing list
> SEL at lists.stationary-engine.com
> http://www.stationary-engine.com/mailman/listinfo/sel
>