In this article, the author of the YouTube channel “NightHawkInLight” will tell you how to create a pneumatic device that will allow you to simulate a special effect that looks like an explosion. A beautiful fireball can be easily obtained, and at the same time - zero damage even at a distance of a meter!
Materials
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- Corn starch
- Fuel for lighting bonfires
- PVC pipes, corners, plugs, funnel
- Flexible hose
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- Clamps
- nipple
- Cutting boards
- FUM tape
- Sandpaper.
Instruments, used by the author.
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- Hacksaw.
Manufacturing process.
The design of this device is quite simple - an injection tank on one side and a funnel into which substances are poured, on the other.
Both sections of the mechanism are separated from each other by a quick-acting valve. Valves for irrigation systems are ideal for this purpose. This is the most common type of valves used in pneumatic guns and other homemade products.
These valves open and close the system when an electrical impulse is applied to the electromagnet located in the upper part.
In order for the valve to work not on water, but according to the pneumatic principle, an electromagnet is removed from it, and the valve is redone for manual start-up.
If a tuning screw is installed at the top of the valve, it should also be removed.
To begin modifying the valve, you must first unscrew the screws on its body to disconnect the cover.
On the back of the cover we see a hole going from the inside of the valve to the place where the magnet was twisted. This is an outlet allowing the valve to open.
Since the author will make his own hole, he fills the old with hot glue, as unnecessary. This can be done with ordinary epoxy.
If there was a tuning screw on the valve cover, there is a second hole inward in its place. But instead of filling it with glue, the author, on the contrary, somewhat drills a hole so that a nozzle for a ¼ inch hose can enter it.
On some types of valves there are no such screws; in this case, you should drill the hole of the right diameter in the valve cover yourself.
After the adapter on the hose is carefully screwed, all the transformations on the valve cover are completed. And it can be screwed back to the body.
Now the author is assembling a trigger. It consists of a ball valve and an adapter.
The hose is attached to the adapters with clamps. By opening the ball valve, it will be possible to lower the air pressure in the valve, which holds the rubber membrane of the valve.
Such alteration will make this valve more efficient for use in the above described purposes. She turns it into a fast acting, reliable. Thanks to the hose, the valve can be actuated from a certain distance.
Now an inch PVC pipe with a length of about 300 mm is screwed to the valve. Pre-teflon tape is wound on the thread to seal the connection. The pipe itself performs the function of a storage tank screwed on the input side.
A plug is screwed onto the open end of the pipe, in which the hole for the nipple is first drilled.
FUM tape is also wound on the thread.
At the valve outlet, a 10 cm section of a PVC pipe is screwed with an elbow at the far end connected to it.
Now the whole system is assembled. She needs a stand. The author uses two wooden blocks and fastenings for a water pipe for this purpose.
It remains only to add a funnel for falling asleep there various materials to simulate an explosion.
The too narrow end of the funnel is cut off.
Before putting the funnel on the elbow, the master polishes its base with sandpaper to make the surface roughened and stick better.
The nozzle opening and the funnel leg itself are plentifully greased with hot glue and connected. Now the glue should completely harden.
So, device done.
Then the pressure in the chamber is pumped up to 4 atmospheres, and everything that will be loaded into the funnel will fly out of it with great acceleration.
Now this device is charged with corn starch and is able to produce a dust cloud, but if you put dark powder and pieces of earth in it, the device can simulate an explosion tearing clods of earth.
In the central part of the funnel, a small capacity for the ignition of corn starch is installed. It is filled with fuel for lighting bonfires.
Now the author starts the device, abruptly opening the tap. The powder instantly ignites, forming a fireball. The sound of the explosion and the shock wave is not formed. The author did not even go far from the installation.
The ball of fire does not exist for very long, only a split second.
It is strictly forbidden to conduct these experiments at home, indoors!
Observe safety precautions!
Thanks to the author for a simple but useful tool for the workshop!
All good mood, good luck, and interesting ideas!
Author video can be found here.