changes in 20 years...

[drewstar]

I wanna trick mine out to look like this:


Now that is uber-tactical!

Terminator

ohhhhh.  Don't let Ted Kennedy see that gun. It looks scary and therefore he needs to pass more laws to protect us.  

Me? I think  it's killer-tastic!

[East_TX_Spa]

I'm a little short of funds at the moment, so I might just have to settle for either this


or just go ahead and buy a .50 cal kit gun


Terminator

[Brewman]

I'm assuming that there is a rifle somewhere under all that stuff.  Would be a real PITA to conceal.
Your right Drew, it looks scary.  So we better get some federal laws passed that ban scary looking guns.
But we'll make it disappear in 10 years when the world realizes that it did nothing but cost the taxpayers a whole lot of money.

Oh, wait.  We already did that.  Not that past mistakes will ever prevent future one.

[Snowbird]

I'm a little short of funds at the moment... Terminator

Try this one Term.  It's real cheap, but it is almost 6 feet long!



Here are the plans for  the cannon.  Do not change the dimensions of the Combustion Chamber or barrel otherwise it will not operate well or perhaps even explode.  It makes a very loud noise and will fire downrange 300 yards or more depending upon potato shape and weight.  If the length of the barrel is shortened then the potato will not reach it's max velocity before exiting.  If the barrel is longer then the potato will start to slow before exiting.  There is some recoil also

USE SCHEDULE 40 PVC AND IT MUST, REPEAT MUST BE PRESSURE RATED PIPE.  Available at Lowes etc. The pipe will have a pressure rating on the side in red print. i.e. 280psi or 330psi.  as long as it is pressure rated and not CELLULAR CORE PIPE.

There is an exact ratio between combustion chamber volume and barrel diameter and volume 1.5 to 1.  These plans meet these requirements to a "T".

Needed:

• 3 inch pressure rated pvc skd 40 pipe 17 inches long for combustion chamber.
  
• 49 5/8 inch barrel, pressure rated skd 40 1 1/2inch dia. pipe
  
• One 3 inch dia. threaded end cap
  
• one 3 inch coupling one side threaded.
  
• One 3 inch reducing bushing down to 1 1/2 inch
  
• One ignitor assembly, either Coleman sparker or charcoal grill replacement.
  
  You must taper the end of the barrel so that it will cut the potato to size.
  
  
• An old broom handle for a ram rod.
  
• One can of PVC cleaner/primer
  
• One can of PVC cement.
  

I cut all the pipe on the Delta chop saw.

The most expensive item will be the charcoal ignitor at about $10.  Total cost under $20.


Some tips to follow:

Dry fit parts before cementing and remove rough edges
When cementing be careful not to let any cement run onto threads.

When cementing, push together and twist a little and hold pressure for about 20 seconds otherwise the two parts want to spring back a little.

If you use a charcoal ignitor, you will have to remove just a portion of the little "dog ears" in order to have it snap in place on the inside of the cap.

Some folks use a can of hair spray as a propellant however it makes things sticky inside.  Best to use Gillette spray deodorant in a Copper color can.  Can also use Carburetor spray cleaner or Ether starting fluid, but the Gillette seems to be best as it is a combination of several propellants.

AFTER ALL ASSEMBLY DO NOT FIRE FOR 24 HOURS This gives the cement proper time to cure.

Print this for work shop reference[/color]

[drewstar]

What is the cumbustable material you use with one of those?

[Brewman]

What is the cumbustable material you use with one of those?

Some folks use a can of hair spray as a propellant however it makes things sticky inside.  Best to use Gillette spray deodorant in a Copper color can.  Can also use Carburetor spray cleaner or Ether starting fluid, but the Gillette seems to be best as it is a combination of several propellants.

[drewstar]

 Some folks use a can of hair spray as a propellant however it makes things sticky inside.  Best to use Gillette spray deodorant in a Copper color can.  Can also use Carburetor spray cleaner or Ether starting fluid, but the Gillette seems to be best as it is a combination of several propellants.


 

You know, I read your post 2x and missed that paragraph. Sorry.

how much deoderant do you use?

[Bonibelle]

Drew, My kids made one of these around last Thanksgiving...they have tried several accelerants, propellants what ever you call them. If you search back to around that time, you can see the picture of it but I guess I don't have it anymore on my computer. Now they are attaching rockets to old Pinewood Derby cars and launching them on my lawn. What is it with guys and explosives?

[drewstar]

Drew, My kids made one of these around last Thanksgiving...they have tried several accelerants, propellants what ever you call them. If you search back to around that time, you can see the picture of it but I guess I don't have it anymore on my computer. Now they are attaching rockets to old Pinewood Derby cars and launching them on my lawn. What is is with guys and explosives?

I don't know, but I have a whole closet full of stuff that goes "Boom" .

Guys like to blow things  up.

If all I do was could sit in my hot tub with a naked woman, drink beer all day and blow things up  while watching football my life would be complete and the picture of perfection. Nirvana.  

/yea, I'm a complicated guy.  

[Snowbird]

Coincidently I just got this email from my friend who gave me the potato gun plans.  Here is what happened to him when he used a gun somebody else made.

Yesterday was at a picnic and they were shooting their own potato gun.
Doing a fine job of launching down range.  I shot one and picked the wrong
time.  Made the shot and the rear plug shattered where the ignition system
is attached.  it went backwards with the same force and the potato in the
other direction.  When it happened I could feel my hand stinging and almost
afraid to look as there were pieces of pvc on the deck.  I suspected a
missing or bloody finger.  Got away with all fingers and a burn on one with
a large blister.  Just lucky.


If you make that thing, please.....
[size=32][glb]BE CAREFUL!!![/glb][/size]

[Brewman]

how much deoderant do you use?

Enough to keep people from looking at me with a funny, nose wrinkling expression when I enter a room.

Good question, though.  If it was me, I'd start out with a one second spritz and see how far the tater flew.  
Then go from there.  
Except I'd be more likely to use ether or carb cleaner, since I have that stuff in the garage.  

[Brewman]

What is is with guys and explosives?

We're not allowed to say.  We're sworn to secrecy on the subject but I'll squeal the secret if you tell me:

Why the need for infinite pairs of shoes?
Why spend time plucking out your eyebrows and then immediately draw them back in with a grease pencil?
Why only wear a dress once, and die if someone else at the party has one on just like it?

 

[vlady]

Why the need for infinite pairs of shoes?
Why spend time plucking out your eyebrows and then immediately draw them back in with a grease pencil?
Why only wear a dress once, and die if someone else at the party has one on just like it?

  

Cause we can  

[drewstar]

 Enough to keep people from looking at me with a funny, nose wrinkling expression when I enter a room.

 Good question, though.  If it was me, I'd start out with a one second spritz and see how far the tater flew.  
 Then go from there.  
 Except I'd be more likely to use ether or carb cleaner, since I have that stuff in the garage.  


 

Wonderufl. This looks like a great project for me and my nephew.  

[Brewman]

 Let us know how it turns out.  

If I see a potato in orbit over the house, coming from the east, I'll know you used just a bit too much deoderant.