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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
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The Original Potato Cannonby matt on July 25, 2006
Table of Contents
intro: The Original Potato Cannon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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step 1: The Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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step 2: Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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step 3: Install the ignitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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step 4: You are finished; firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
intro: The Original Potato CannonHow to build the original
hairspray powered potato cannon. Takes about an hour and $30.
Shoots potatoes over 100 yards!!!
Video
step 1: The MaterialsBuilding Materials-5 feet of 1.5" ABS (DWV)
pipe-2 feet of 3" ABS pipe-A 3" to 1.5" reducer-A 3" threaded
adapter-A 3" end cap-A BBQ ignitor (+1 Screw)-ABS cement
Consumables-Cheap aerosol hairspray-Potatoes or similar
legumes
Tools-Hacksaw-Drill
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
step 2: Assembly-Cut the 3" pipe to about 13" or a size you
prefer (the larger the combustion chamber; the more gas; the more
boom)-Make sure the reducer fits over the pipe-Spread some ABS
cement on the inside of the reducer and outside of one end of the
pipe, slide the reducer onto the pipe with a twisting method-Repeat
this for the threaded adapter-Repeat this for the barrel (5' of
1.5" pipe)Make sure your gluing is done properly, you dont want it
to explode.
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
step 3: Install the ignitorYou probably saw in the last step a
silver BBQ lighter attached to the side of the pipe, I tried using
this, but it wasnt working, so I bought an $8 ignitor.Drill a hole
in the 3" pipe for the metal lead from the ignitor to fit, mount
the ignitor using screws provided, you can slop some glue around
the hole to make sure therewont be a gap where the flames will
shoot out and burn your arm......
In order to create the arc (spark) to ignite the gas, there
needs to be a metal contact between the lead from the ignitor and
the metal chasis of the ignitor.If you mounted the ignitor with
bolts into the pipe, bend the metal lead to be within 1/4" of the
bolt to make a spark,I however put another screw in from the other
side, but had to run a piece of wire from it to the metal
chasis.Both methods will work.
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
step 4: You are finished; firingLet the cement cure for a couple
hours.
Firing:-Unscrew the end cap-Force a potato into the barrel (this
is easier if you sharpen the end of the barrel with a file)-Pack it
down with a broom, make sure its still inside the barrel, and not
the combustion chamber-Spray some hair spray into the 3" pipe for
2-3seconds-Quickly screw the end cap back on-Point it at a 45
degree angle to maximize range and push the ignitor
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
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How to build aPOTATOLAUNCHER(video) byChappyShowcase
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Making an AirCannon / PotatoCannon (video)by crazybuilders
AdvertisementsCustomized Instructable T-shirts
Comments50 comments Add Comment view all 216 comments
PainKillaX says: Jan 27, 2009. 12:12 AM REPLYI'm interested in
making one for the purpose of shooting Nerf Pocket Vortex Rockets,
for MilSim events. What diameter pipe should I use at the end,
andwhats an estimated velocity? I don't want to uh "accidentally"
hit a friend at 200 feet and shatter bone...
PainKillaX says: Jan 27, 2009. 12:23 AM REPLYTook the time to
read through all the steps, and I have some technical questions
now. What's the verdict on PVC/ABS? Best fuel? Will a shorter
barreljust make it louder and less accurate, or pose a safety risk?
Is this safe to set on my shoulder and fire like a real rocket?
Lot's of questions, I know, butI'm a veteran of things exploding on
me and I find that the more I can learn BEFORE things explode, the
better.
itak365 says: Jan 12, 2009. 5:12 AM REPLYHow would one make one
of these so that it is like an M1 bazooka (trigger pistol grip at
front of launcher, and arm support?)
stevemasc says: Jun 15, 2008. 8:24 AM REPLYI was wondering can
ABS handle air presure or does it shatter or something?
Rayzorblade says: Jan 3, 2009. 8:48 AM REPLYin the cold, it goes
boom, in the heat, its ok for low pressures 20-80psi, i wouldnt go
higher than that
Rayzorblade says: Jan 3, 2009. 8:45 AM REPLYHmmm, all the
controversy about shattering chambers..... just wrap it with about
20 - 30 layers of duct tape/gorilla tape and it will only tear, not
explode
jhecker123 says: Dec 30, 2008. 8:49 AM REPLYIs it better to use
a 1.5" barrel and 3" chamber like in this Instructable, or a 2"
barrel and a 4" chamber like other designs? And is it better to
have a long 5'barrel or something slightly shorter like 4'?
skuitarman says: Dec 29, 2008. 8:16 PM REPLYdo you have to use
abs pipe can you just use pvc instead
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
madaradio says: Mar 12, 2008. 11:26 AM REPLYhere's a tip that I
used when I made my potato gun.
***Do not glue the barrel to the chamber*** This is important
for two reasons.
1) It makes it easier to load the potato. Instead of having to
use a broom handle or stick to jam the potato through the barrel,
all you do is jam it in the top andput that end next to the
chamber.
2) For safety reasons. If the potato jams and the barrel is
glued, there is no where for the explosion to go, possibly causing
an explosion of the chamberwhich would cause hundreds of plastic
shards flying all over th place. If the barrel isn't glued and the
potato jams, all that happens is the barrel will pop offfrom the
chamber leaving your face free of plastic.
This is how I made my gun and it works perfect. It fires just as
if the barrel was glued. ***The barrel does not fly off every
shot*** I've had the potato jam afew times and I'm glad I made mine
the way I did.
clemsonguy1125 says: Dec 15, 2008. 3:41 PM REPLYwouldnt the
barrel get shot off to
FriedRiceFreak says: Jun 22, 2008. 7:44 AM REPLYthats never been
a problem for me. it sounds cool tho. the pressure rating on my
chamber is 280psi and 100psi on my barrel. the peices in between
haveeven higher ratings. the most a potato can hold pressure in
that barrel is no where near 280 psi unless u put in like 10 huge
potatoes in one shot
plus if you see "Hammer Testing" from different forums, they are
all wrong. when you shoot a potato cannon the pressure is not on
one side with ahammer, its equally distributed on all sides of the
inside of a circle (one of the strongest shapes for pressure behind
a sphere). i wish i could showeveryone what ABS does when it
explodes from too much pressure, its much more than PVC. my Dad and
I tested this. PVC cracks open and splits butthats about it. ABS
shatters into hundreds of pieces and as the guy from spudtech.com
put it "will find their way into you somehow"
Now all of this is my opinion. If your design works enjoy
it!
microman171 says: Nov 21, 2008. 1:28 AM REPLYActually, AFAIK PVC
shatters and ABS shears. Try hitting PVC on the ground and watch it
shatter.
FriedRiceFreak says: Nov 22, 2008. 3:14 PM REPLYyes i know about
the smash test but thats not equal explosive pressure on all sides.
I've exploded PVC and ABS and i know that ABS isextremely sharp,
small, and abundant when it comes to shards finding their way into
you. pcv will break, and into pieces, but only a few. you justhave
to trust me on this.
microman171 says: Nov 23, 2008. 9:48 AM REPLYOh okay. I always
thought ABS sheared... Too bad, I cand find ABS in NZ anyway.
sasmith11 says: Jun 30, 2008. 6:01 PM REPLYHey, were do i get
PVC 3 inch? and how much does it cost per foot?
FriedRiceFreak says: Aug 4, 2008. 4:49 PM REPLYyou can find all
your supplies for PVC at Home Depot and Lowes and Tractor Supply if
u have one near you.
Pvc is not that expensive if you buy them in standard sizes
(which is 10 feet i believe) sometimes home depot will sell 2 foot
long segments, but irecommend buying the 10ft peice its cheaper for
the length you get. you can get they come in many diameters so
experiment around. I justrecently made one that goes from a 3inch
chamber to a 1.5 inch barrel which is smaller than the standard 2
inch barrel, thus more pressure ispushed through the smaller
barrel
i've seen people go from 4 to 1.5 though its harder to do.
Dr. Explosion says: Jun 19, 2008. 12:39 PM REPLYThat also works
well with pneumatic style spudguns
fishyfish777 says: Jul 6, 2008. 12:55 PM REPLYfor pneumatics,
no. His idea works because combustion style guns release a powerful
shock + pressure wave. Pneumatics just let air out, and themost
pressured the pneumatic would be is when the pneumatic is
pumped.
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
nibbler125 says: Oct 14, 2008. 10:23 PM REPLYI use a propane
tourch in my cannon I just put the nozzle right into the combustion
chamber and open up the fuel it makes a loud bang and shoots
blueflames out at night time
LancePenney says: Jul 6, 2008. 11:12 AM REPLYFirst of all you
really should let the glue cure for at least 24 hours. Better safe
than full of ABS shrapnel. Also, I made one similar to this before
(the only realdifference is the length of the barrel and combustion
chamber). I also put a 3 inch bolt through the bottom of the barrel
to prevent the potato from falling intothe combustion chamber.For
fuel I use butane. Just take a can for re-filling lighters and
place the spray top to an aerosol can on the filling wand. Works
just like a can of hairspray. Itmakes a bigger bang than hairspray
and it burns cleaner so it won't gum up the inside of the
combustion chamber with residues.
garrettmikesmith says: Oct 7, 2008. 8:49 PM REPLYeverything you
just said is genius
LancePenney says: Jul 6, 2008. 11:18 AM REPLYOne more thing... I
just watched the video and the butane makes a WAY louder bang than
that hairspray. Butane makes it sound like and actual cannon,you
can hear it from kilometres away. At night you can see flames
shooting out the end of the barrel when its fired.
FriedRiceFreak says: Aug 4, 2008. 4:53 PM REPLYi know what you
mean! you can see some flames from Deoderant spray at night too,
but i wouldnt know about butane flames.. that stuffs ment to
beburned lol
sasmith11 says: Jun 30, 2008. 6:15 PM REPLYHey, were you get
cheap 3 inch pvc pipe
sniper4life says: Sep 13, 2008. 4:10 PM REPLYim just gonna
scavenge some cuz my house is getting remodeled
iammadmax says: Jul 3, 2008. 12:24 PM REPLYMenards has it, so I
would guess that Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. would also be good places
to try.
ccm117 says: Aug 28, 2008. 3:56 PM REPLYi made a potato cannon
myself but it was differently desingned and i definetly like this
design better
jasonckoval says: Aug 28, 2008. 1:55 PM REPLYOne way to keep the
"fuel" from coating the ignitor wires (someone said this was a
problem) is to put the ignitor into the end cap. Then the ignitor
is not in thechamber when you spray in the fuel.
ADNNEW says: Jul 10, 2008. 6:15 PM REPLYhas anyone tried WD-40?
it is flammable.
Jduffy says: Aug 10, 2008. 8:21 PM REPLYDon't use it, it will
leave residual flames in your combustion chamber and barrel,
melting the pvc.
blaird says: Aug 7, 2008. 6:54 PM REPLYuse propane it works way
better and shoots further
werdbot says: Feb 8, 2007. 4:03 PM REPLYPropane works
better.
Emankcin says: Mar 5, 2008. 5:27 PM REPLYWhy not an alcohol
mixture? Perhaps put some everclear or rubbing alcohol into a spray
bottle? Or you might be able to just pour the alcohol right in,and
shake?
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
FriedRiceFreak says: Aug 4, 2008. 4:51 PM REPLYalcohols tend to
dissolve the PVC or ABS cements. im sure you'd be fine, but
Hairspray and propane work fine..
CameronC says: Jun 28, 2008. 5:55 AM REPLYi find that a
capacitor discharge unit with at least a 200Uf capacitor on it
works well albeit with some tweaking.this has been used in my
special weaponsdalek project for school.
DELTAWOLF05 says: Jun 25, 2008. 11:35 AM REPLYSo is it better to
use PVC or ABS
oshidutako says: Jun 26, 2008. 3:25 AM REPLYIt's better to use
ABS since PVC explodes under pressure and sends sharp pointy shards
of PVC flying everywhere and ABS only splits and lets thepressure
escape, ABS also has a greater temperature tolerance than PVC. It's
about twice as much the money as PVC, but it's definitely worth
it.
minerug says: Feb 22, 2008. 12:57 AM REPLYdoes this have
any/much recoil?
MadMechanicMike says: Mar 7, 2008. 9:31 PM REPLYyeah, sometimes
a lot.
Dr. Explosion says: Jun 19, 2008. 12:40 PM REPLYEspecially if u
use water as a projectile
dynamite boy says: May 13, 2008. 1:30 PM REPLYinstead of using
electrodes i just put every thing that came in the BBQ lighter
package together and then i made one hole and glued that sparker
into it. then iput a piece of tine foil on the opposite side
(inside the potato cannon) of the potato cannon so the spark would
jump across the entire inside of it to get betterignition.
FriedRiceFreak says: May 25, 2008. 8:18 AM REPLYwhat you need to
do is set up a dual spark circuit. easy enough, 2 sparks are better
than one! thats what i do with mine. then again I also added
uselessparts that make it look cooler haha.
its all about looks now haha
Colonel88 says: Jun 1, 2008. 5:43 PM REPLYIm sorry, but its
better to have a pneumatic built in pump potato cannon or
something...
FriedRiceFreak says: Jun 11, 2008. 6:49 AM REPLYyeah but
pnumatic cannons are different. im talking about A pure Combustable
cannon like the orignial potatoe cannon. plus pneumatic cannonsget
dangerous. i almost got arrested because i used to have one. then
again u can get arrested with a nerf gun nowadays..
zach911 says: Jun 19, 2008. 9:56 AM REPLYlol..... Nerf
gun.....Arested... Thats funny! But it is true. Hees right. I shot
this kid in the face right below his eye with my nerf N-strike and
hewent to tell his mom and she called the sherrif then he came and
hauled me into the travis county Juvinile Hall. Its not a nice
place. Theycharged me with "assault with a deadly weapon". I was
like WTF its a nerf gun!
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http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Original-Potato-Cannon/
FriedRiceFreak says: Jun 11, 2008. 6:42 AM REPLYthe best thing
ever is to watch the Pumpkin Chuckin Contests. my friend's boss has
a team that launched a pumpkin 2 1/2 miles. they usegasoline.
BUT THEY ARE PROFFESIONALS!!
coatesy900 says: Jul 28, 2008. 1:38 PM REPLY2 1/2 miles eh?
Thats certainly beleivable...
nuBlet says: Jun 15, 2008. 4:01 AM REPLYi had a solid stainless
steel one till the cops took it of me, i stole it from local
engenerring firm lol
FriedRiceFreak says: May 4, 2008. 2:55 PM REPLYuse spray
deoderants like Right Guard (as long as its flammable) and it works
fine
afartinthewind says: May 3, 2008. 7:27 PM REPLYworks well, but
need to use other fuel than hairspray. it covers the electrodes. i
like starter fluid (just a touch)
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