Construction

All of the materials were purchased at Home Depot for a total of $40.

Materials Needed:

• 12 inches of 2 inch PVC
• 2 inch PVC coupling
• 11.5 inches of 1.5 inch PVC
• 1.5 inch PVC coupling
• 1.5 inch PVC Tee
• 1.5 x 1.25 inch PVC reducer
• 36 inch bungee cord
• 13.5 of 1.5 inch wood for base
• Two 7 inch of 0.6 inch wood blocks to connect to barrel
• Two 1.6 inch of 0.6 inch wood blocks to connect to base
• Two 10 x 1 metal screws
• Two ¼-20 x 1½ construction screws
• One 6 inch hex bolt
• One butterfly nut
• One worm gear clamp
• 1 ping pong ball
• PVC Concrete or a strong adhesive

Time Needed:

• Approximately 2-3 hours

Part 1. Constructing the Cannon

Step 1. Constructing the Barrel

• Cut the 2 inch PVC pipe to be 12 inches long.
• Glue the 2 inch PVC coupling to one end of the 2 inch PVC pipe

        Step 2. Construct the Arm

• Cut the 1.5 inch PVC pipe to be 11.5 inches long
• Glue the 1.5 inch PVC tee to one end of the 1.5 inch PVC pipe
• Slide the 1.5 x 1.25 inch PVC reducer onto the 1.5 inch PVC pipe so it sits on top of the 1.5 inch PVC tee, with the wider end closer to the 1.5 inch PVC tee
• Glue the 1.5 inch PVC coupling to the bare end of the 1.5 inch PVC pipe

        Step 3. Attach the Arm to the Barrel

• Slide the 1.5 inch PVC pipe through the 2 inch PVC pipe, with the thicker side of the 2 inch PVC pipe (the end with the coupling on) closer to the 1.5 inch PVC tee
• Glue the 1.5 x 1.25 inch PVC reducer onto the end of the 2 inch PVC coupling

Step 4. Attach the Bungee Cord to the barrel

• Cut off the ends of the bungee cords to separate the hooks
• Thread the elastic through the ends of the tee
• Use the ring clamp to clamp the ends of the cord to the end of the barrel, tighten clamp as tight as possible

Part 2. Constructing the Base

        Step 1. Cutting Wood

• Cut the Base wood to be as long as the barrel
• Cut the attaching wood to be 8 inches long
• Cut the rotating wood to be 1.6 inches long

        Step 2. Drilling/Glueing Wood

• Drill a hole in the centre of the attaching wood pieces with a 3/16 inch bit
• Drill a hole at the top of the attaching wood pieces with a 3/16 inch bit
• Glue the attaching wood pieces to either side of the end of the base
• Drill the metal screws through the attaching wood and base
• Drill the centre of the rotating wood pieces with a 3/16 inch bit  

        Step 3. Connecting Wood and Barrel

• Screw in sharp screws from attaching wood to base
• Place the barrel in between the rotating wood so that the screws are centered on the barrel
• Screw in machine screws from attaching wood to rotating wood to the barrel PVC pipe, and make sure to leave a mark on the pipe. This is where you will drill holes
• Loosen the machine screws and remove the barrel
• Drill through ONLY the barrel with a 3/16 inch bit
• Screw in 6 inch hex bolt through the centres of the attaching wood
• Screw in butterfly nut on other end of 6 inch hex bolt to tighten attaching wood together

Part 3. Attaching Cannon to Base

• Glue the rotating wood pieces to the barrel, ensuring that the screw holes are ALIGNED
• Screw in machine screws from attaching wood to rotating wood to the barrel PVC pipe