Compressed air is one of the oldest tools in the toolbox. You probably know that you can use a pillow case to clean your ears, but did you know that you can use it to clean your windows? Well, you can! Compressed air has been used for years to help remove dust and debris from surfaces.
We are going to talk about removing dust and debris with an article all about bullet points and tips, so now is a good time to learn how to make your own! There are two ways to make your compa- tron: by using a hair dryer or by using a credit card & nailfile device. Both work well and give you some creative ways of doing it.
Figure out which type of compa- tron is right for you and your home environment.
Contents:
Find a metal pipe
You need a metal pipe to build your cannon. There are many brands and types of pipes, but please find a metal pipe. It does not matter if the pipe is green, pink, blue, or white, it is for making cannons!
You will also need a ball-shaped cushion or inflatable ring. These can be regular or cheap!
How to Make a Confetti Cannon Compressed Air
Bullet point: Create the barrel of your cannon
Then you push the cut end of your barrel through the top of your cushion and push down! This makes the gun round.
Attach the pipe to the bottle
Now, connect the other end of the pipe to the bottle. You will do this later when you make your cannon.
Now, move over to your computer and download the free Cannon-compressed-air app. Once downloaded, open it up and create a new app!
Now, go back to your computer and edit the file you just created. Change the name of the file to cannon_compressed_air_app_icon_v2.png and add a link.
Fill the bottle with confetti
When you fire up your cannon, you’ll want to fill the bottle with some confetti. This allows your device to work properly when you pull the trigger.
Pulling the pin and releasing the clamp will allow air and confetti to enter the bottle. Once it is filled, you can release the clamp and pull the pin to fire your cannon!
Unfortunately, this feature is not available in all devices.
Pour air into the bottle until full
When ready to fire, wait until the pressure has built up. This may take a few minutes depending on how fast you mix the air and bottle.
Start firing when the air has stopped flowing and is level
Barbara Northup, owner of Fun Gun Compressed Air, says that when making confetti, she uses a slightly smaller bottle than what is pictured in the product description. She recommends using at least one can per pound of flour or sugar needed to make the mixture thick enough.
This way, you do not have to search for another can when it runs out! You can also use this for shaping shapes or shooting sports products such as slings or rag-thrones.
Seal the bottle completely
When you open your cannon, you should let some air out to allow the pressure inside to release. This prevents your cannon from collapsing on itself.
If you don’t do this, your cannon will not take a good enough break to rest after compressing the air into the bottle, and it will damage itself.
To seal the bottle, after taking a mouthful of air, pushing down on the neck of the bottle and pulling up with the handle.
Test before using
Before using any type of air compressor or gun on anything, make sure it can handle the pressure it needs to apply. You can do this by testing it out in a small area or by bringing it to an air cannon event!
Air cannon compresses air to trigger a release, making the effect much more powerful. This is how you make your own cannon easier to control as well as more professional looking.
The best way to test this out is at an event. You can look for equipment that needs working on, or bring your little cannon to one if you are attending! There may be other attendees who need a little help with their gun so that they can also enjoy the effect too.
Keep out of direct sunlight
Compressed air is a very limited resource in gadgets. You can do very little to impact the quality of the compressed air you use, except for keeping it out of sunlight.
Most devices allow you to set the device on a timer to let the air reset, so keep that in mind when trying out different techniques.
Some tips: Try your best not to press too hard when using the airgun, as too much pressure will limit the air flow; Pressing too lightly may result in poor accuracy or overpressing which could damage or destroy the object being painted.
Being careful with your equipment will help preserve what you are trying to make!
Photo: Compressed air is one of the most limited resources in tech.
Do not use indoor
Outside is the best place to make your compressed air cannon. You can do so in the woods or in a field if you need to.
Inside is not recommended as it can interfere with TV reception and other electrical features. You may be able to control your air cannon by using a DVD player or computer monitor, but for outdoor use, we recommend taking it out so you can see where the gas goes.
For eyesight, we recommend wearing protection glasses that have thick thick aviator style glasses with eye protection built in. If you do not have these, then buy good quality sunglasses that protect most of your eyes except the area behind the lenses where they want to protect the most.
Make sure your safety rules are followed and you get help if needed.