Wanted one of these since I was a kid

[Bkeepr]

They used to advertise in Boys Life, Popular Mechanics and other magazines in the 60s…still in business. I always thought these carbide cannons were cool:

https://www.bigbangcannons.com/Products ... -for-200--

[GeneMO]

Do you have some Carbide? I just bought a can off of Amazon. Neighbor wanted some, and he didn't do computers. I have a can squirreled away. I use to buy carbide lights at antique stores and fix them up. I had first fixed up my dads "coon hunting" lantern. It needs to be re-worked again.. I liked to use them on the fourth of July. you had light, plus the flame was perfect for starting those hard to start fuses on some things.

Dont shoot yer eye out !

Gene

[GeneMO]

I forgot they had their own "powersite" material to make the bang. I think it is probably calcium carbide isn't it/

Gene

[GeneMO]

Have you shot it yet Tom ? Wear ear plugs !

Gene

[Bkeepr]

Have you shot it yet Tom ? Wear ear plugs !

Gene

I haven’t bought it yet, Gene. I’m suspicious that my kids may be getting one for me for Christmas because the youngest (also an Army artilleryman) brought it up once again over our Thanksgiving holiday. I’ve waited this long, and I wouldn’t want to spoil it for them if I am right.

I always wear earplugs anymore if I’m doing anything even remotely loud. Even so, my tinnitus is getting worse and so is my ability to understand speech so I try to protect what is left. Just yesterday I told my VA audiologist and she said I’m doing everything right, but this is just the natural progression…

[GeneMO]

Have you shot it yet Tom ? Wear ear plugs !

Gene

I haven’t bought it yet, Gene. I’m suspicious that my kids may be getting one for me for Christmas because the youngest (also an Army artilleryman) brought it up once again over our Thanksgiving holiday. I’ve waited this long, and I wouldn’t want to spoil it for them if I am right.

I always wear earplugs anymore if I’m doing anything even remotely loud. Even so, my tinnitus is getting worse and so is my ability to understand speech so I try to protect what is left. Just yesterday I told my VA audiologist and she said I’m doing everything right, but this is just the natural progression…

About your hearing, do you use hearing aids? I have had tinnitus pretty bad. It seems to go away when I put my hearing aids in. I had to buy mine outright, $6,000 5 years ago. Let us know if you get your canon.

Gene

[GeneMO]

My homemade canon is made from tubing that has about 1.5" thick walls. The bore is 1". A C flashlight battery will just slip down the bore. It tears hell outa small trees when you shoot it at them. I put several ounces of black powder in it, then use newspaper for wadding. If you tamp heck out of the wadding it makes for a louder boom. I even made me a wooden hammer out of an Oak 4X4. So no sparks. I use a 7/8" wooden dowel rod for the ramrod. I really echos through the creek bottoms around here. I refuse to grow up.

Gene

[Bkeepr]

…About your hearing, do you use hearing aids? I have had tinnitus pretty bad. It seems to go away when I put my hearing aids in. I had to buy mine outright, $6,000 5 years ago. Let us know if you get your canon.

Gene

Gene— yes have had hearing aids for 7-8 years now, and I have the same experience, my tinnitus is less severe when I am wearing them. But it has been getting worse when I am not wearing them… my audiologist told me last week that that is normal “at your age.”

You also asked about the cannon’s ammo. You’re right, it says it is “pulverized calcium carbonate.”