Well, thanks to #thahooligan I decided to build a bowling ball launcher.
I used some 8” structural pipe welded to a 1/2” thick railroad track plate. I thought, ”That 1/4 pound container of tannerite doesn’t look like enough…” So I mixed up a little over 1/2 pound. I set the launcher on a piece of creosote timber that was 10” thick, about 12-14” wide and 16” long. I did learn from his videos to make sure the platform is level and the wind doesn’t drift the bowling ball into my truck.
I set up 100 yds away, steadied my rifle and squeezed the trigger. Holy $#!+. There wasn’t a little boom, rather a huge KA-BOOM!!! I watched as the bowling ball went up, up, UP and was amazed at the altitude I got. I know it exceeded 200‘ high, and was probably closer to 300’. I watched as the bowling ball descended and appeared to land not 30 yds from the launcher.
Imagine my surprise to see my launcher completely destroyed. Pieces scattered everywhere and that big block of wood was in 3 pieces. I went looking for the bowling ball and couldn’t find it. Searched and searched for 10 mins, thinking it had to be right here. Nothing. So I gave up and started walking back and just happened to nearly step on the bowling ball…or at least the top of it. The rest of it was imbedded in the ground. This wasn’t mud, mind you. Firm soil. Gives some idea of the altitude that ball fell from to have it land with such impact.
So, back to the drawing board. Gotta figure out how to make a stronger launcher. Oh yah, and maybe use a little less tannerite.
I used some 8” structural pipe welded to a 1/2” thick railroad track plate. I thought, ”That 1/4 pound container of tannerite doesn’t look like enough…” So I mixed up a little over 1/2 pound. I set the launcher on a piece of creosote timber that was 10” thick, about 12-14” wide and 16” long. I did learn from his videos to make sure the platform is level and the wind doesn’t drift the bowling ball into my truck.
I set up 100 yds away, steadied my rifle and squeezed the trigger. Holy $#!+. There wasn’t a little boom, rather a huge KA-BOOM!!! I watched as the bowling ball went up, up, UP and was amazed at the altitude I got. I know it exceeded 200‘ high, and was probably closer to 300’. I watched as the bowling ball descended and appeared to land not 30 yds from the launcher.
Imagine my surprise to see my launcher completely destroyed. Pieces scattered everywhere and that big block of wood was in 3 pieces. I went looking for the bowling ball and couldn’t find it. Searched and searched for 10 mins, thinking it had to be right here. Nothing. So I gave up and started walking back and just happened to nearly step on the bowling ball…or at least the top of it. The rest of it was imbedded in the ground. This wasn’t mud, mind you. Firm soil. Gives some idea of the altitude that ball fell from to have it land with such impact.
So, back to the drawing board. Gotta figure out how to make a stronger launcher. Oh yah, and maybe use a little less tannerite.
Looks like fun. Too bad it was a one and done ordeal though. Here's to future endeavors!
