How to make a Bamboo Cannon

2006.02.04

The most popular search term that leads people to this site is Bamboo Cannon, and it’s only because of one random post. For the benefit of those inquisitive souls, and to celebrate the Independence Day of Sri Lanka which falls today, here is a concise guide to the making of this loud and risky* contraption.

First, take a 4-5 feet long piece of big, young, yellow bamboo, one that has about 5 walls (the things that separate the “compartments” in a bamboo pipe). Make sure you cut it so that the bottom end is close to a wall.

Then drive a stake through it to remove all but the last wall, the one at the bottom end of the pipe.

Make a small hole (say, a 1-inch square) on the side of the cannon at about 3 inches from the wall at the closed end.

The cannon should be kept horizontal and slightly tilted so that the open end is at a level couple of inches above the closed end. The small hole on the cannon “barrel” should be facing upwards.

Pour one cup (~200ml) of kerosene through that hole. Don’t use anything more inflammable, unless you want to blast your head off. Don’t put too much fuel, or it’ll take ages to get it firing.

Light a small fire (one that does not burn the bamboo) under this “fuel tank”.

When the cannon is heated sufficiently (say, hot to touch) blow like mad through that hole so that the kerosene vapour is ready to go bang at the slightest provocation.

Get a firebrand (don’t use lighters unless you’re suicidal), and bring it to the hole, making sure you keep all your precious body parts as far away from it as possible.

BANG!… *smoke* *cough*

Rinse and repeat.

Tip: The trick to making loud blasts is in blowing just the right amount of air through that hole, and knowing when to “fire”. It’ll take some getting used to, so don’t be discouraged by any embarassing “farts” at the beginning.

*Remember, bamboo cannons are dangerous toys. A Sri Lankan kid died during the avurudu festivals of last year from a bamboo cannon that (literally) exploded. Play at your own risk.

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2 Comments

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  1. merts

    July 28th, 2006 at 11:32 am

    here in the Philippines we got all sorts of bamboo cannon offshoots(evolved versions) using steel pipes or pvc pipes and uses either calcium carbide with water(acetylene1) or methanol as fuel/charge. Recently some entrpreneurial souls were featured on local t.v. for creating a shoulder fired pvc cannon with electronic switch(lighter igniter).Unsuspecting tourists would have trembled with fear encountering such a horde of ramboo look a likes blasting the city streets with their bazooka contraptions. It could be safe as no one has been seriously injured by the device although it is always advised to err on the side of caution.

  2. Prabhath

    July 28th, 2006 at 12:16 pm

    Wow, merts, you guys have taken the art of cannoning to new heights :P