A spud gun or a potato launcher, as it is popularly known, is an interesting contraption to build. It is basically a device that lets you launch harmless projectiles to great distances. People enjoy making one, and shooting potatoes over long distances, just for the fun of it. In this article, I discuss how to make a spud gun on your own.
Before we go ahead, let me say that building and firing a spud gun involves some amount of risk. I talk about how to build one with the idea that you plan to make one and use it just for fun. If you build and fire one around, make sure that you do so in an open space where nobody is harmed by the vegetable projectiles. Also make sure that you inform local police authorities about its use and clear out the issue with them. Normally, there shouldn't be a problem, but since launching this projectile involves explosive combustion, it is is good to be on the safer side by informing the authorities. Unlike tasers or stun guns, spud guns are made purely for the fun of launching potato projectiles!
Principle Behind Building a Spud Gun
Every device that is built, harnesses a physical principle. Before we talk about how to make a spud gun, let us see what is the scientific principle behind the working of such a gun. The principle behind building a spud gun is same as the principle of building cannons of ancient times. The explosive expansion of a gas in a closed chamber creates a force which launches the potato projectile, out of the chamber to a distance which is directly proportional to the magnitude of explosive force.
Needless to say, the explosive nature of the firing mechanism, makes a spud gun dangerous to handle. One needs to ensure that the spud gun combustion chamber is strong enough to contain the explosion. Besides that, you need to choose a liquid explosive that is just right for this kind of a job and is sprayed in the right quantity. It should be powerful enough to launch the potato without breaking the launching mechanism.
How to Build a Spud Gun
Let me now share a basic outline of how to make a spud gun. I only provide a rough idea of making a spud gun as details would require elaborate diagrams.
To make a spud gun, you will requires some raw materials. What you will need is PVC pipes, PVC adhesive, aerosol deodorant or silicone sprays, gas grill ignition device, a bagful of potatoes, and if you are a kid, an adult who can supervise you! Use eye protective gear and earmuffs when making the spud gun and later using it.
Firstly, obtain a good design for the spud gun. There are many available online. Study the designs and improve them with safety measures put in. An basic design consists of two parts primarily. These are the combustion chamber behind the barrel. The combustion chamber has an ignition device attached to it, that triggers the firing explosion inside. The barrel directs the projectile in right direction, while the chamber supplies the firepower. You can include a handle below the barrel or midway between the barrel and chamber. Search online for good designs and improvise them to make your own. Put safety above everything else.
Cut the PVC pipes according to the design and glue them together accordingly. One end of the gun should be sealed, on the side which houses the chamber and it should be only open on the barrel side. To access the chamber and spray in the aerosol fuel for ignition, it is a good idea to have a cap on the barrel end which can be removed when necessary. A hole needs to be drilled in the chamber for the fixing the ignition device. A gas grill ignition device will serve the purpose. Next you must sharpen the barrel edge with a file. So this was a rapid fire overview of how to make a spud gun.
Once all the above things are fixed in place, your gun should be ready. To fire the spud gun, push a potato inside the barrel and poke it in as much a possible. Wear your eye protective gear and ear muffs. Make sure that you are in an open space and nobody will get hurt from the projectile. Open the cap behind the chamber and spray an adequate quantity of aerosol. Then close the chamber cap and ignite the gun, by hitting the trigger, after pointing it in the right direction. If you have really understood how to make a spud gun, your potato must be zooming fast, away from the gun and landing far!
Hope this article has given you a good idea of how to make a spud gun and fire it. As you can see, there is risk involved and therefore don't attempt to make one, until you have thoroughly researched a safe design!
Before we go ahead, let me say that building and firing a spud gun involves some amount of risk. I talk about how to build one with the idea that you plan to make one and use it just for fun. If you build and fire one around, make sure that you do so in an open space where nobody is harmed by the vegetable projectiles. Also make sure that you inform local police authorities about its use and clear out the issue with them. Normally, there shouldn't be a problem, but since launching this projectile involves explosive combustion, it is is good to be on the safer side by informing the authorities. Unlike tasers or stun guns, spud guns are made purely for the fun of launching potato projectiles!
Principle Behind Building a Spud Gun
Every device that is built, harnesses a physical principle. Before we talk about how to make a spud gun, let us see what is the scientific principle behind the working of such a gun. The principle behind building a spud gun is same as the principle of building cannons of ancient times. The explosive expansion of a gas in a closed chamber creates a force which launches the potato projectile, out of the chamber to a distance which is directly proportional to the magnitude of explosive force.
Needless to say, the explosive nature of the firing mechanism, makes a spud gun dangerous to handle. One needs to ensure that the spud gun combustion chamber is strong enough to contain the explosion. Besides that, you need to choose a liquid explosive that is just right for this kind of a job and is sprayed in the right quantity. It should be powerful enough to launch the potato without breaking the launching mechanism.
How to Build a Spud Gun
Let me now share a basic outline of how to make a spud gun. I only provide a rough idea of making a spud gun as details would require elaborate diagrams.
To make a spud gun, you will requires some raw materials. What you will need is PVC pipes, PVC adhesive, aerosol deodorant or silicone sprays, gas grill ignition device, a bagful of potatoes, and if you are a kid, an adult who can supervise you! Use eye protective gear and earmuffs when making the spud gun and later using it.
Firstly, obtain a good design for the spud gun. There are many available online. Study the designs and improve them with safety measures put in. An basic design consists of two parts primarily. These are the combustion chamber behind the barrel. The combustion chamber has an ignition device attached to it, that triggers the firing explosion inside. The barrel directs the projectile in right direction, while the chamber supplies the firepower. You can include a handle below the barrel or midway between the barrel and chamber. Search online for good designs and improvise them to make your own. Put safety above everything else.
Cut the PVC pipes according to the design and glue them together accordingly. One end of the gun should be sealed, on the side which houses the chamber and it should be only open on the barrel side. To access the chamber and spray in the aerosol fuel for ignition, it is a good idea to have a cap on the barrel end which can be removed when necessary. A hole needs to be drilled in the chamber for the fixing the ignition device. A gas grill ignition device will serve the purpose. Next you must sharpen the barrel edge with a file. So this was a rapid fire overview of how to make a spud gun.
Once all the above things are fixed in place, your gun should be ready. To fire the spud gun, push a potato inside the barrel and poke it in as much a possible. Wear your eye protective gear and ear muffs. Make sure that you are in an open space and nobody will get hurt from the projectile. Open the cap behind the chamber and spray an adequate quantity of aerosol. Then close the chamber cap and ignite the gun, by hitting the trigger, after pointing it in the right direction. If you have really understood how to make a spud gun, your potato must be zooming fast, away from the gun and landing far!
Hope this article has given you a good idea of how to make a spud gun and fire it. As you can see, there is risk involved and therefore don't attempt to make one, until you have thoroughly researched a safe design!
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