Potato Cannons! [Archive] - TBCS Community Forums

progbuddy

04-10-2007, 04:55 PM

my cousin made an air compresses spud launcher and he gave it too much air on the first test and it exploded. He had pieces of pvc stuck in him for a few weeks before he decided to dig them out.

lol. I know some people that have steel potato cannons. Someone guy fired a wet T-Shirt out of one and made a hole in his wall that went completely through the other side.

Aero

04-10-2007, 05:00 PM

wow, my school has one that we use to teach young kids about air pressure. They can be fun, but doing one in-doors at a wall is always interesting :p.

nil8

04-10-2007, 05:01 PM

Potato guns are a lot of fun. You will get better range if you install some type of steel mesh while creating between the ignition chamber and barrel and use wadding. Toilet paper works well. If you're worried about it scorching the barrel or not supporting the potato all the way out, then wet it down.

There's also the option of the sabot. If you're using shot that's significantly smaller than your barrel, put it into the middle of a roll of TP or paper towels and crush the center tube. It's not perfect, but you will still get it out of the barrel without losing much energy.

I used to build potato guns with a drumline friend of mine back when I was a teen.

CanaBalistic

04-10-2007, 08:22 PM

I've made a few in my time. They were aerosol powered, 3 seconds of propane and a shot of w-d40. The first one i made was only a caped section of 3 inch pvc. The only ammo that would fit it was huge apples. I had the police called on me for that one. A neighbor over the fence thought i had some sort of rocket launcher and hid in her basement. The cops were not amused, although they couldnt do anything because it wasnt loaded when they showed up, they had to give it back to me. :) The second one had a 1.5 inch beveled barrel with a 3.5 inch combustion chamber, assault style'd trigger grip, auxillary grip in the front and a towel wraped tip (to avoid potato juice accidents). Quite the potato gun...

Omega

04-10-2007, 08:27 PM

I'm thinking of building an air-pressure powered potato gun for firing at 30-45psi. Or maybe, I'll just make a combustion type (although fire is hot...).

Anywho, I've been thinking up plans. Don't be surprised if I have a cannon in the next year.

CanaBalistic

04-10-2007, 08:51 PM

Fire is hot but if you factor in the time needed to reload and refule, it barely gets warm and most of that is from the person holding onto the gun for dear life.

nil8

04-10-2007, 10:08 PM

GT40_GearHead

04-11-2007, 04:50 AM

ha haaa

we where a bit more brutal !!! lol

we (me and my weird friends) had a high pressure hydraulic fluid pipe we found around an abandoned construction site
this thing had a wall thickness of almost 3cm and 9cm bore, and roughly 2m long
we plugged one end with a thick piece of steel and welded it, and drilled a small hole in the side of the pipe for the fuse
every body suggested we use lighter gas, but i had this wacko idea to use calcium carbide

is you don't know how you use this, its simple, you just pour some water over it, when it contacts it, it creates acetylene(now it starts to get funny)

so we get our carbide, we get the water, i pour about a cup of water in the damn thing, and o tea spoon of carbide... then the SECOND spoon =)
trowed a celery(that was all i could find ) and shot the **** out of it using a lighter

the first shot scared the HELL out of us all, it was like when you think you know what to expect, but what you get is 1000 times more than you thought loud !

we only got one shot out of it, because of my smart ass idea, the side wall cracked near the weld and we where to scared to try again

where did i put that piece of water pipe.........

Spawn-Inc

04-11-2007, 06:37 PM

at my work a guy made one from a old hollow drive shaft. with a spark plug and bbq lighter. just spray in a shot of acetylene and then ur ready to go!

CanaBalistic

04-11-2007, 08:48 PM

We used aqua net & propane bbq ignitors. Worked exceedingly well. You just have to use the right kind of caulk. Some of it wears out really fast dealing with the pressure variation. What we stuck with was window caulk.

You used caulk to piece your gun together? I cant fathom how the hell you'd use caulking on a potato gun. What a stupid idea.

Here's a lil note for thoes not in the loop, use pvc glue or you might blow a ****in hole in your gut.

GT_40: You should have fired that gun a second time. We could chalk it up to natural selection thinning the herd.

The amount of idiots who tempt fate never ceases to amaze me.

Maybe an admin should lock this thread before somone tries one of thoes stupid ideas and seriously hurts themselfs.

dfigravity

04-11-2007, 09:03 PM

You used caulk to piece your gun together? I cant fathom how the hell you'd use caulking on a potato gun. What a stupid idea.

Here's a lil note for thoes not in the loop, use pvc glue or you might blow a ****in hole in your gut.

GT_40: You should have fired that gun a second time. We could chalk it up to natural selection thinning the herd.

The amount of idiots who tempt fate never ceases to amaze me.

Maybe an admin should lock this thread before somone tries one of thoes stupid ideas and seriously hurts themselfs.

Wow...maybe a simple "That's probably not a good idea and other people shouldn't try it" would have worked instead of calling the guy an idiot. Did it ever occur to you that may he's a kid or was when they did it and didn't no any better? I'm sorry, I'm sure you have never done one stupid thing that could have gotten you or your friends hurt. I started this thread to show everyone something cool, not get people yelled at or talked to like children. Take your belittlement somewhere else. GT, I'm sorry you had to be subjected to this guy's insults.

Spawn-Inc

04-11-2007, 11:17 PM

Wow...maybe a simple "That's probably not a good idea and other people shouldn't try it" would have worked instead of calling the guy an idiot. Did it ever occur to you that may he's a kid or was when they did it and didn't no any better? I'm sorry, I'm sure you have never done one stupid thing that could have gotten you or your friends hurt. I started this thread to show everyone something cool, not get people yelled at or talked to like children. Take your belittlement somewhere else. GT, I'm sorry you had to be subjected to this guy's insults.

i mostly agree with you dfigravity but cana is right about the caulking, thats not very smart. if he doesn't know how to build it then he shouldn't be using it.

dfigravity

04-12-2007, 12:10 AM

Don't get me wrong...it's not the best idea to use caulking with a potato gun...nor is it a good idea to build a potato gun period if you dont know what you're doing...I just dont agree with the tone that was taken.:down:

Redundant

04-12-2007, 12:18 AM

It's always funny but also serious to hear those famous last words:

"It seemed like a good idea..."
-Beemer of RC Groups

nil8

04-12-2007, 12:56 AM

I wasn't implying we used caulk to put the gun together. We built the guns using PVC glue. The caulk was to seal the igniter, not bind the whole thing together.

Flames aren't necessary, from either side.
Young people do stupid things, like build potato guns. It's part of being young.

Spawn-Inc

04-12-2007, 01:06 AM

I wasn't implying we used caulk to put the gun together. We built the guns using PVC glue. The caulk was to seal the igniter, not bind the whole thing together.

ahhh...

Flames aren't necessary, from either side.
Young people do stupid things, like build potato guns. It's part of being young.

yes i quite agree with that, i have done many stupid things.

CanaBalistic

04-12-2007, 01:07 AM

Everything on the net and probly everything you've ever heard or seen about potato guns is that they'll shoot through wood with nothing more than a short burst of hair spray. What moronic thought processes must be going through your mind to come to the conclusion that an experamental chemical fule or slum construction methods is a good frickin idea... It would serve you right if the thing blew up in your face and severed your arm.

And what kind of excuse is age? If you're old enough to build it your certinly old enough to use it wisely. Its not a toy, you dont buy thies things at toys r us.

Nil8: Sorry, your post was worded in a way which made it sound like the entire thing was caulked together.

Spawn-Inc

04-12-2007, 02:44 AM

And what kind of excuse is age? If you're old enough to build it your certinly old enough to use it wisely. Its not a toy, you dont buy thies things at toys r us.

well when your young you don't think everything through. you don't think hey maybe this plastic tube could explode and kill/maim me, you think sweet a loud explosion and a potato flying and unbelievable speeds and exploded when it hits whatever. are you telling me you have never done a single stupid thing in your life?!!? sounds boring if so then.

GT40_GearHead

04-12-2007, 03:08 AM

GT_40: You should have fired that gun a second time. We could chalk it up to natural selection thinning the herd.
The amount of idiots who tempt fate never ceases to amaze me.
Maybe an admin should lock this thread before somone tries one of thoes stupid ideas and seriously hurts themselfs.

come on mate, don't be such a grouch, there is no need to call me or the other folks doing this idiots

now really what got on your tail so hard?

the way i see it, i knew the risks, is usually know them, it was my choice,

I would prefer my that my son would build a potato cannon than doing drugs or alcohol, my father would have freaked out if i would have told him about it , so i didn't

doing stuff like this is part of growing up, i refuse to believe that you never did such things

tybrenis

04-12-2007, 06:10 AM

What a stupid idea.

Do you know what else is a stupid idea? Smoking marijuana. Do you know what else is dumber? Continually posting about it even you get told time after time not to.

I also refuse to believe that you've ever done anything stupid in your life. In fact, I have perfect proof. Lets not forget New Years...

Anyways, this thread isn't about encouraging kids to build dangerous devices. It isn't about blowing things up or being stupid - it was simply another member showing up something cool, and everyone else telling stories about similar experiences. I think people on these forums are mature enough to read something and not immediately run out and do it, possibly hurting themselves.

Well, anyways, I'm just glad that someone didn't threaten another member and tell him he should have killed himself, or directly insulted multiple members or anything... that would be ridiculous.

Spawn-Inc

04-12-2007, 06:59 PM

well back to spud cannons check out this one

http://www.advancedspuds.com/revxback.jpg

i think its some kind of revolver one.

and a little side track pumpkin cannon

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/spud-gun-14.jpg

nil8

04-12-2007, 08:14 PM

Sweet juicy jesus, that potato cannon reminds me of a grenade launcher.

CanaBalistic

04-12-2007, 08:30 PM

Do you know what else is a stupid idea? Smoking marijuana. Do you know what else is dumber? Continually posting about it even you get told time after time not to.

I also refuse to believe that you've ever done anything stupid in your life. In fact, I have perfect proof. Lets not forget New Years...

Firstly, you brought that up, i didnt. Smokin MJ is as legal as smokin tobacco in BC and at no time, new years included, was i endagering myself or thoes in my blast radius. Thats totally irrelevant to the topic at hand.

Secondly, if you cant see why i might be mad, lets take a look-see.

1. hydraulic fluid pipe, wall thickness of almost 3cm and 9cm bore, and roughly 2m long, plugged one end with a thick piece of steel and welded it, small hole for the fuse

2. calcium carbide, you just pour some water over it, when it contacts it, it creates acetylene(now it starts to get funny)

about a cup of water, and o tea spoon of carbide... then the SECOND spoon

3. thickness of almost 3cm... the side wall cracked...

Well, i dont know about you but i could construe that as detailed plans for a bomb and we now know it will crack a 3cm thick piece of harded steel with one end uncapped. And then to post it on a forum where children might get the idea to construct there own personal potato bomb. Surely thats not somthing to get mad at.

I have done stupid things in my time, im smart enough to draw the line at blowing myself up. An admin should have locked this long ago.

dfigravity

04-12-2007, 10:42 PM

well boo hoo. Fine...here is something that should make everyone happy and stop thinking about blowing themselves up...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c126/dfigravity/holy20****20cute20bunnies.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c126/dfigravity/two_flowers_preview.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c126/dfigravity/kittens.jpg

Bunnies and flowers and kitties should make everyone smile! Hooray!! :bunny:

btw, nice pumpkin launcher pic there Spawn...mass veggie carnage is always a good thing!

Bucko

04-12-2007, 10:50 PM

Awwwwww.....

Aint that cute.

xRyokenx

04-13-2007, 12:36 AM

I'd go give our rabbit some attention if it weren't about 12:30 in the morning and if my mom wouldn't get on my case, heh heh...

GT40_GearHead

04-13-2007, 01:27 AM

i like the flowers :D

Cagedconnerman

07-01-2007, 04:50 PM

time to revive this old topic, I just built a potato cannon 2 days ago :) omg its alot of fun to shoot ice bullets all the way down the street

Spawn-Inc

07-01-2007, 05:53 PM

pictures please

Cagedconnerman

07-01-2007, 07:00 PM

sry for the poor quality :( using a phone,
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/cagedconnerman/29-06-07_2054.jpg
^chrome valve stem^
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/cagedconnerman/29-06-07_2053.jpg
^4in > 1.5in reducer, ball valve and barrel^
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/cagedconnerman/29-06-07_2052.jpg
^the whole thing^
thats the cannon, 8 ft of pure pvc power

Greco101

07-01-2007, 07:21 PM

Ever heard of that "building mini jet engines" hobby?

talk about an expensive hobby...........

video1 (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3700036332547487191)
video2 (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1775662364590337100&q=mini+jet+engine&total=23&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0)
video3 (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1775662364590337100&q=mini+jet+engine&total=23&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0)
video4 (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1775662364590337100&q=mini+jet+engine&total=23&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0)
video5 (turbine jet) (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3700036332547487191)

another interesting video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1775662364590337100&q=mini+jet+engine&total=23&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0)

Omega

07-01-2007, 11:19 PM

I plan on building a potato cannon soon.

Cagedconnerman

07-01-2007, 11:38 PM

Awesome! make sure to post pics. j/w, how do plan on powering it? combustion, pneumatic or hybrid?

Omega

07-02-2007, 12:53 AM

Combustion. Definately.

Cymae

07-02-2007, 12:58 AM

maybe once you finish this you can do a potato CHIP cannon, which is attatched to a deep fryer and pops em out hot ;)

Omega

07-02-2007, 01:08 AM

I'll probably build the cannon tomorrow (or Wednesday). It's going to be a joint project between me and a buddy. Pictures will ensue. ;)

Cagedconnerman

07-02-2007, 01:38 AM

sweet, i'm thinking about making a quad barrel cannon atm...would be pretty cool

Omega

07-02-2007, 01:48 AM

haha, I can imagine the power of a quad barrel cannon.

I've also thought about making a railgun. That would OWN. HARD. Especially if I can sharpen and shoot some rebar at trees or something. :D

Cagedconnerman

07-02-2007, 03:17 AM

oh man, thatd be cool...u could even integrate pvc :) just wrap the coils around it and u have urself one badda$$ rail gun

Omega

07-02-2007, 03:21 AM

oh man, thatd be cool...u could even integrate pvc :) just wrap the coils around it and u have urself one badda$$ rail gun

I think you're reading my mind. ;)

My design is multi-staged with sensors and everything. Long (maybe 6ft) barrel, when the projectile blocks an optical sensor, it changes what set of coils is on, until the projectile launches out, gradually accelerating the whole way. High-gague copper wire (expensive, I know) would be used, and I'd have to find a way to program a computer so all I'd have to do is hit a big shiny red button. ;)

Eclecticos

07-02-2007, 03:24 AM

haha, I can imagine the power of a quad barrel cannon.
I've also thought about making a railgun. That would OWN. HARD. Especially if I can sharpen and shoot some rebar at trees or something. :D

Yeaaa. . Or . .Like a Chain Gun Or a Gatlin Gun, But with Spuds.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5282/gun1ly9.jpg

Wire it up to a grill igniter with a hand crank wheel to flick the switch at intervals.

Spawn-Inc

07-02-2007, 03:35 AM

^ yes that would look the best you could cut 5" pvc pipes chain them together and load them with potato's then have auto or manual reload type of thing going on.

Omega

07-21-2007, 03:41 AM

I just built a potato cannon. The glue is setting and I will take pictures and fire it off tomorrow.

My neighbors are going to be so pissed.

Computer-Geek

07-21-2007, 10:29 AM

sounds good. I would build one but my parents would think i'm crazy :D

Helix666

07-21-2007, 02:57 PM

My neighbors are going to be so pissed.

I have a mental movie playing now, and I can't stop laughing.

:D
"Hey, neighb...*does a double take* Is that what I think it is?"
*Camera pans to show a potato howitzer. Omega at the trigger, grinning madly.*
*loud explosion* *smashing glass*
"You... you demolished my greenhouse, this means WAR!"
*pitched battle ensues, eventually involving the whole neighbourhood, with each side building progressively bigger and bigger potato cannons.*

;) I need to cut down on the caffiene and sugar.

Omega

07-21-2007, 06:34 PM

So, I don't have any pictures right now, but that's because I was giggling like a schoolgirl when I first fired it.

I loaded a potato, sprayed in some hairspray, click... and.... nothing.

Click it again.

Then I wait about 10 seconds.

Then I click it again and hear a "thuuumph" kinda noise (like a potato leaving a barrel) and watch a potato hurdle into the street.

I couldn't stop laughing.

Fired off the other 4 potatoes I had (and had some ignition system problems too) and cleaned it out. It's drying in my garage right now.

I'll re-taper the barrel and see if I can't find more powerful propellants than aqaunet.

xRyokenx

07-21-2007, 06:38 PM

Omega

07-21-2007, 06:48 PM

I think this fall that will be what I do, build a potato cannon. I'll have to check the state laws and all first just to be safe. Sounds like a lot of fun and could be something cool to show pictures of to classmates, hee hee.

About how much did it cost for all the materials?

Just over 20$ for a very simple, one-chamber combustion-type design.

EDIT: Got the design from here, modified it a wee bit:
http://glassx.googlepages.com/

For instance, I can take my screws out to clean them, my ignitor is taped to the barrel, and I've got a coupling piece on it as well. Also, I don't think my barrel is as tapered.

EDIT2:

Made a new blog post about the cannon.

http://tbotaku.blogspot.com/

Top post.

Spawn-Inc

07-22-2007, 02:29 AM

those botls look pretty far apart. i would also cut/grind them to points and possibly coat in solder, i'm not sure if the solder would do anything but if you put enough you can get a sharp point.

as for new gases try a spray bottle of gasoline and do a half spray of it first or even less.

my friend built one but he used a bigger chamber i think 5" and 3" barrel. it was fun to shoot blank at night. nice big fireball with a full spray of gas.

Eclecticos

07-22-2007, 03:32 AM

I'd just use Lighter Fluid like for Zippo's

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6888/ronsonnd8.gif

Omega

07-22-2007, 10:47 AM

I tried aquanet and WD40 tonight. Nice muzzle flashes from the Aquanet, no firing from the WD40 (wtf?)

Maybe I'll try some lighter fluid (I do have some after all =D)

Came up with a system to be able to spark it every time for sure. Tin foil.

Foil gets dirty, take the screws out, take the foil off, put on new foil, re-insert and fire.

.Maleficus.

07-22-2007, 10:59 AM

How far does it shoot? I was going to build a pneumatic one, but that seems easier and more fun.

Omega

07-22-2007, 11:08 AM

How far does it shoot? I was going to build a pneumatic one, but that seems easier and more fun.

Depends. On a good fuel/air ratio with Aqua Net, mine shoots maybe 50 yards? With more complex designs and better fuels you can get it to go farther, though.

Luke122

07-22-2007, 11:51 AM

Get the blue and orange can of "staticguard".

Best fuel I've found. :D

Spawn-Inc

07-22-2007, 04:09 PM

wd40 only lights from the propellent in the can. all it will do is mess up your chamber. some friends from work made a metal one from a old driveshaft. dump some acetylene in there and with the electronic ignition KA- Freaking-BOOM! we put dents from 200 feet away in a shipping container and smashed out a light (and its holder) in a old motorhome. it they had stronger/thicker steel we would have put oxygen in it too.

Omega

07-23-2007, 01:49 AM

I plan on, after I get paid, building a larger cannon. 5 inch combusion chamber, 3/2 inch barrel, all ABS. ;)

Spawn-Inc

07-23-2007, 02:33 AM

nice... can't wait try and get some footage or pictures or sound if you can, it should sound sweet with a nice big chamber.

Omega

07-23-2007, 02:43 AM

nice... can't wait try and get some footage or pictures or sound if you can, it should sound sweet with a nice big chamber.

heh

once I get potatoes I should get video of me shooting my current cannon.

GT40_GearHead

07-23-2007, 09:03 AM

Omega

07-23-2007, 02:12 PM

I just got a good 20lbs of potatoes for 6$. My neighbors know not of the terror they'll face this week. Ace.

GT40_GearHead

07-23-2007, 03:23 PM

i swear to God i'll do something bad to you if you don't take pictures of the upcoming carnage !!!

Omega

07-23-2007, 03:38 PM

i swear to God i'll do something bad to you if you don't take pictures of the upcoming carnage !!!

=D

I need to refine my ignition system before I can do a lot of damage. After five shots or so the screws get all messed up. I just need to get a stun-gun to a sparkplug is what I need.

Cagedconnerman

07-23-2007, 04:17 PM

stun gun and a spark strip seems to provide the best ignition, http://www.advancedspuds.com/ignite.htm theres a few instructions in there on how to construct sparkstrips, as well as some other common methods of ignition

Omega

07-23-2007, 04:44 PM

I've got the screws in a good place, maybe after I get paid I'll order a stun gun (or talk to a friend whose dad is a personal security officer and has like billions of them) and rewire them. This does mean, however. I have to take all the tape off (which shouldn't be hard because all of the duct tape is on top of masking tape for easy removal. Me is smart!)

Omega

07-23-2007, 05:35 PM

So it turns out that it can still spark with dirty screws, but it was shorting. Go figure.

Anywho, I plan on getting a stungun and doing a four-spark system. woo.

NamesAreUseless

07-23-2007, 06:27 PM

If i'd build another one i would build a hybrid. People don't even want to hold on to them when firing them cause of the fear of it exploding because those are strong.

http://www.koolpages.com/potatohell/Hybrids.html
http://www.koolpages.com/potatohell/tvbreak.mpg

either way i'd still build one anyway. If you're having problems with with not having the fuel and air mixed right in your chamber you could add a fan inside but, it's a little touchy. If you put it too close to the front it will get blown out the barrel. If its too close to the back it can't mix air at all. And also the fact of having it suspended in the center and you'll need a clean burning fuel like propane to fuel it because its hard to clean the fan.

this hybrid cannon
http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/killjoys-fear-t7745.html
fires at about 2700 fps which equals 15,285 joules which is equivalent of a .50 cal sniper rifle so it's almost close to mach 3

Omega

07-28-2007, 09:58 PM

I got 100$ today for trimming (a lot) of bushes. I'm getting 250$ for assorted work later in the week.

...Expect a new cannon. ;)

xRyokenx

07-28-2007, 10:34 PM

Probably some sort of gatling potato cannon, huh? $350... wish I had that to spend, or at least be able to earn, meh, that'll come later in the year. You still need to post pics of the other cannon you made.

Omega

07-28-2007, 10:41 PM

D1337

07-29-2007, 08:29 AM

take a pbc tube, stick it on your shoulder, have a friend insert a compressed can. (fragrance, or spray paint) then have your friend take a 2x4 with a nail stuck in one end and wack at the can.

If all goes according to my theory it should launch like a bottle rocket, if your friend has bad aim your gonna have to have brain surgery. Either way it was an exciting day.

Omega

07-29-2007, 12:58 PM

Reyer

07-29-2007, 06:31 PM

My friend is coming down from canada on monday, and were guna whip one up.

My dad broke my last one because we shot a inch diameter marble and blew off a 2x4 on my fence. There were splinters 40 feet away.

Omega

07-29-2007, 09:32 PM

Also, I'm not going to spend 350$ on a freakin' potato cannon =o

I plan on spending about 40-50$ on my next one, which will be dubbed the PSAS -Tsar (Personal Spud Artillery System "Tsar").

Spawn-Inc

07-29-2007, 09:34 PM

you should have interchangable barrels, like a single and double barrel. or a short and long barrel to see any differences.

Omega

07-29-2007, 09:37 PM

you should have interchangable barrels, like a single and double barrel. or a short and long barrel to see any differences.

Longer barrels will increase power and accuracy but reduce portability.

I'm already planning on building a 6 foot long cannon. The barrel will be 5ft and the combustion chamber will be a good 8 inches or so.

Cagedconnerman

07-30-2007, 06:24 AM

the potato wont leave the barrel with those dimension....the longer the barrel the more power to a point, you have to take into consideration the fact that gases only expand so much until they make a vacuum and just suck the potato back into the gun, rather than push it out more.

xRyokenx

07-30-2007, 09:19 AM

You could always have a bigger gas chamber to go with the longer barrel. You'd probably need something heavier than PVC pipe though, it could blow up... but yeah, so long as you take proper safety precautions, we're all good, and you're not in the hospital. :D

Omega

07-30-2007, 03:09 PM

The combustion chamber will be twice as large as the barrel, so when the gases compress down to the barrel's size, it will increase the pressure.

Besides, I have a Sawzall. If it consistently doesn't leave the barrel, I cut the barrel down to size ;)

Omega

07-31-2007, 12:45 AM

I'm in the process of building it right now (although I am taking a break to eat dinner).

I'll go back down to the garage with the camera in just a few moments.

Just looking at the size of this thing makes me kind of not want to hold on to it when I fire it.

I wonder if Nevada likes potatoes? =D

Spawn-Inc

07-31-2007, 12:54 AM

make a remote starter and tripod of sorts.

Omega

07-31-2007, 02:40 AM

I've decided that I'm not about to pussy out of this.

I've just got to build a shoulder stock.

Anywho, I have to do electrical work tomorrow and then glue the rest of the peices together and let it set

maiden firing will be on Wednesday. I've already put the "PSAS TSAR2" on the barrel.

Pics later.

Omega

07-31-2007, 04:46 PM

http://www.lotechdesigns.com/host/images/299P5090006.JPG

The PSAS-Tsar II is setting in my garage right now. Afterwords, I am going to hook up the wires, taper the tip of the barrel, load in a potato and fire.

=D

Spawn-Inc

07-31-2007, 06:04 PM

awesome, make sure to get a sound clip!

how come you put a 45* elbow on the end?

Omega

07-31-2007, 06:18 PM

awesome, make sure to get a sound clip!

how come you put a 45* elbow on the end?

couldn't get a normal coupling piece.

Spawn-Inc

07-31-2007, 10:43 PM

ohwell just adds more umph to it. fired it yet?

Omega

08-01-2007, 02:16 AM

No.

But I will. Tomorrow.

Omega

08-03-2007, 01:53 AM

I just got back from shooting it

oh god, it's ****ing AMAZING

...when it works.

The last one shot maybe across the street from the back of my driveway (that's about 50-75 yards) and made a pleasant noise.

The new one shoots a lot farther than that, makes a loud bang, and you can feel the pressure if you're not behind the cannon. We shot it over one of my buddies and it knocked the wind out of him.

elbarto241

08-03-2007, 02:01 AM

ROFL thats a nice story...

hey what did you do today...

ummm nothing, got shot by a potato cannon :D

Omega

08-03-2007, 02:10 AM

That's the thing.

He didn't get shot by it.

We shot it over his head (by about 10ft, he was sitting on a bench about 20ft from the base of the cannon, 10ft under the projectile)

Just shows you how powerful it is.

I stood a little in front of it, about 10-15 feet off to the side

I should have plugged my ears or put my hand over my balls (they hurt now, from the pressure generated by the cannon)

calumc

08-03-2007, 12:22 PM

holy **** i want one!!!!
once the weather over here gets better im gonna build 1. iv prob got the bits lyin around and i live in the asshole of nowhere so i can shoot it pretty much anywhere and not hit anything.
but there are plenty of sheep around if i feel like a bit of target practice.......

Eclecticos

08-03-2007, 12:29 PM

holy **** i want one!!!!

Me Too. . Tired of seeing this thread and not being able to post pics of my own cannon.
Going to HomeDepot to pick out some parts. Stay tuned for some spud carnage :D

I found some good instructions Here (http://downloads.oreilly.com/make/wp_spudgun.pdf), Finally a use for my Cheetah Stunner.

Omega

08-03-2007, 02:34 PM

NEVER USE PVC.

PVC, when put under immense pressure or stress, shatters. The last thing any of you need is for PVC shards to go ruining your day/week/month.

Use ABS. Instead of shattering, it will split or crack, meaning that instead of turning into a bomb, it just basically doesn't work.

Eclecticos

08-03-2007, 02:45 PM

Crap. I just bought PVC. .
O'well I'll just use less hairspray so It dosen't blow up or anything.

I am making this one:
KZZYZlvXO_o

Omega

08-03-2007, 03:04 PM

Actually, using less fuel might just make it so it doesn't work properly (Same thing for too much fuel. Last night I put too little fuel into the Tsar II and it didn't fire =/)

If you can, go back to the store and ask for a refund or something, and get ABS. I really would not trust PVC plastic, even Sch.40 stuff (which is rated for really high pressures, but still...)

Eclecticos

08-03-2007, 04:29 PM

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4970/spuderuu3.jpghttp://img385.imageshack.us/img385/8521/p2930590vf5.jpg

I got the Ignition system Built. 850,000 volts :D Yeaaaa. .!

Omega

08-03-2007, 04:49 PM

=o

I really need to get a stun gun ignition system, I keep using grill ignitors and they keep failing =/

Eclecticos

08-03-2007, 10:24 PM

I got it built and fired it 3 times. . then I started having problems.

Soo. .I removed the end cap and hit the button and It flamed up and burnt all the hair off the back of my forearm. :D

I figured out what flaw to the bolt design is. . the aquanet sticks to the sides and shorts out your arc. So what you do is take some electrical tape and wrap it around the insides of the bolts except the verry end points where your spark is. That worked about 6 times and it started buzzing around the bottom of the tape agian. So tommarrow I will get some huge plastic bolts drill a hole down the center and drive a metal screw down through the center, then it will fire everytime without a doubt.

xRyokenx

08-03-2007, 10:50 PM

That's a good idea there eCK... I'll have to keep that in mind if and when I build one this fall... we'll see, it'll be either a .22 or a potato gun. Both are just about as fun as the other...

Spawn-Inc

08-03-2007, 11:10 PM

i would definitely go for a .22.

this (http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1085) is the one i was shot with in the eyebrow, minus the external tank, as i mentioned before on the other gun thread.

for a .22 if i ever get one i would go for this (http://www.crosman.com/site/listing/1044), i like the bolt action style.

xRyokenx

08-03-2007, 11:16 PM

I'll probably get a bolt or lever action with a clip, I do not want single shot, I would just rather have a clip. That and I want the iron sights, not a scope (picky picky)... I'll look and see what I can get, I'll need some way to go out and relax plinkin' away targets this fall with college and everything.

EDIT: This isn't that bad... LINK ...a bit over what I'd like to spend, but then again, I don't know what a good price for a new gun is. (http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=525&type_id=100&cat=018C)

Omega

08-04-2007, 04:22 AM

.22's aren't as fun as potato cannons. Trust me.

I would type up a big long list of reasons why but I can't be arsed to since It's 1:30am and I just got back from a Rush concert (which was ****ing amazing)

Eclecticos

08-04-2007, 05:03 AM

I fixed it. Removed a couple of nuts from the bolts moved them closer together and put some heat shrink tubing on the bolts on the inside fires everytime. .

Hellls yeaa. . Thhhuummmpppp. . :banana: :banana: :banana:

I also took some hot glue to the bolts so I don't get shocked.
This thing shoots atleast 200 yards.

I'm thinking about blasting an old CRT and taking some pics. I need to get a camera and make some videos. :)

Omega

08-04-2007, 04:55 PM

Eck: Thanks for the idea, I'll go fix my ignition system in a little while now =p

Cagedconnerman

08-04-2007, 10:34 PM

hmm, going back to the pvc vs. abs thing...i built my pneumatic cannon out of sch 40 pvc and can pressurize it to 200 psi without an issue, ive never seen abs that was rated above 150

Omega

08-04-2007, 11:49 PM

It really isn't what the stuff is rated for that I care about (after all, combustion cannons make maybe 60psi for a matter of milliseconds), it's how it fails. PVC will shatter and make plastic shrapnel, ABS will split and at the worse release a lot of pressure that might make it hard to hear.

Spawn-Inc

08-05-2007, 02:19 AM

thats why i would go with steel myself. i would to scavenge some scrap pipes and build it, but i don't have anywhere to shoot it, also i don't think my parents would be to thrilled. (they wouldn't take it or stop me just wouldn't like it)

Omega

08-05-2007, 02:22 AM

That's even worse, because sometimes you can get too ballsy thinking you've got a super-strong unbreakable cannon so you load it with gasoline and end up making true shrapnel, not good

Spawn-Inc

08-05-2007, 02:35 AM

i would end up putting a mix of oxygen and acetylene probably haha, double walled?

if i ever made one i would probably do like i mentioned before and use a old drive shaft. then i would make pistol grips with an electrical bbq igniter attached to a spark plug, one of these (http://www.autoguide.net/apf/images/products/engineparts/u899938075ylh.jpg), then strap a propane bottle to it so i don't have to unscrew anything and its faster reload. maybe even rig up some kind of pre measured amount canister. also add a bolt action type of relaod if possible.

Eclecticos

08-05-2007, 09:11 AM

Here is my BMF SpudCannon:

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/5520/p2940588pw2.jpg

I had to put hotglue on a stick and go around the bolts on the inside.
Fires every time now. Loooouuuddd!

250+ Yard Range. WhooHoo :D

ESX

08-05-2007, 09:59 AM

Wow, nice! Im going to make a "Potato star destroyer" cannon :D

Omega

08-05-2007, 02:12 PM

I've still got you beat in terms of size (That cannon of yours doesn't appear to be 7ft long at least).

;)

These things are almost too fun, I swear.

Cagedconnerman

08-05-2007, 03:04 PM

lol, definitely too much fun. But one thing, does anyone plan on building a hybrid launcher any time?

Omega

08-06-2007, 12:58 AM

Eck, where did you get a stungun? The grill igniter just isn't giving it enough ooooomph.

Commando

08-06-2007, 04:38 AM

Eclecticos

Just by the fact that your posting your home made armory on the board your stock went up in my book. +rep

Eclecticos

08-06-2007, 07:57 AM

Eck, where did you get a stungun? The grill igniter just isn't giving it enough ooooomph.

Got it off ebay a while back. . Its Rechargeable. I had to mod it by flipping the poles around.
Or you could probably find one at a local flea market or similar, Ive seen them at the ones around here.

xRyokenx

08-06-2007, 09:27 AM

That is awesome, I was wondering if that was a taser... lol.

intergalacticman

08-06-2007, 05:45 PM

ha nice, when my friends and i were building the trebuchet we thought about making a potato cannon, but they can pay for the parts, im out 70$ (my yearly income lol) because of the trebuchet

intergalacticman

08-06-2007, 05:48 PM