How Do You Build A Potato Gun

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All I Need Is A Rough Figure And Pics.
Reply:Are you kidding? Just do a search and you will find thousands!  spudtech.com is a nice site. Me!
Reply:You start with a potato...Airco 300 squarewaveMig welding center...Powcon sm300/LN 25Powcon sm200/PD lHypertherm PM 1100Miller AEAD 200LE W/LN25 FCand now another sm200 pd l combo.
Reply:Please!! be aware the have been some serious injuries TO THE OPERATOR....
Reply:Originally Posted by wrenchPlease!! be aware the have been some serious injuries TO THE OPERATOR....
Reply:16" of 4" sch 40 PVC, 4" threaded endcap, 2"x4" reducer and 4 ft of 2"Assemble, add screws for spark plugs and a BBQ ignitor and blast away.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I will get my brothers plans for his.  It is an awesome gun.  He calls it the spudspanker 3000.  Third generation design LOL.Come try it out and stay a while.
Reply:check out a book called backyard ballistics
Reply:combustion is loud and fun, but can get expensive depending on the fuel. it can also get to be a little tricky with getting the right air to fuel mixture. if you run the numbers with a combustion gun, TECHNICALLY they are not supposed to hold together when they go boom. they also tend to wear out, and you don;t get very consistent results if you do it reasonably budgeted.Pneumatics are a little faster, a lot more stable, about the same cost, if not just a few $ more. i built one with my little brother for about $40 by the time all was said and done i think. heres a build-up:http://microzone.us/weldingforum/ind...opic,11.0.htmlif you look at the chronographs and ballistic reports from different sites, it tends to lead you more towards a pneumatic gun being more predictable, a little more powerful, a LOT safer, and easier to build. however, they don't have the lovable "BOOM" from a combustion gun.Later,Andy
Reply:My buddy blew his up and ended up in the ER so be carefull...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:Google potato gun and you wll find more sites than you can count. A lot of them have plans and tutorials Everything from simple to creations that take a machine shop to build.
Reply:This isn't really a welding project ha ha, but my brother in law an I built some a few years back. We just used PVC pipe similar to what sn0border88 said above. We wrapped the whole thing in black duct tape.Except for the combustion chamber I used a 4" (I think) elbow. That way you can drill a hole in the center of the screw-on end plug for the BBQ igniter and it's in a perfect position to press while you are holding it. We used starting fluid as a fuel. If you spray too much it won't ignite. All you need is a very short burst of fuel.I never felt like they were very dangerous, but I guess they can be since you are basically holding an explosion in your hands. The ones we built were pretty tame compared to the ones I've seen online, but they were still lots of fun!Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:Originally Posted by aametalmasterMy buddy blew his up and ended up in the ER so be carefull...Bob
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=9762&page=2
Reply:My son and I built a tennis ball gun for a science project...after about 30-40 fires, the combustion chamber 'sploded.  No injuries.  But, it made me think.  We were using several different combustibles for the project.  Brake parts cleaner was the last one we used before the powie.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I made one and instead of a combustion chamber it had an air chamber which is a little more safe I'll post some pictures if I find some of the one I built.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Originally Posted by wrenchPlease!! be aware the have been some serious injuries TO THE OPERATOR....
Reply:Visit http://spudzooka.net.  Free Plans and I built it.  With 100PSI I can shoot over 1100' striahgt up.Be carefule!Build a Barstool Racer at BarFlyRacers.com!
Reply:We use just hairspray in ours......works like a charm.Miller blue star 2eLincoln 175
Reply:This is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!Here we are incouraging potato guns that..Hurt..Maime...Can kill at an instance...You all have read the proof..Yet the thingamabobs that I welded up are totally unacceptable..Unreal.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Well, I probably shouldn't post it, but you can't get more redneck than this.  an oxy/act torch and a fill hole is about as primative as you can get!  How do you light it?  Simple!  Re-light your torch, wave it over the hole and BAM!  Instant fun!  Disclaimer:  I know NOTHING!  Do NOT do this with PVC, unless you enjoy shrapnel.  Zap, I saw your thingamabobs, nothin wrong with em!  (don't let his wife know that I saw his thingamabobs though.) Last edited by mb_welder; 05-05-2008 at 10:59 PM.
Reply:He HeA good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:I love the comment, "I won't do that again!!!DanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Originally Posted by xccelagator I love the comment, "I won't do that again!!!Dan
Reply:On a more serious note I do recognize why Zap got peeved , as this is a fairly irresponsible thread .But lets fact it we all were (or still are) knuckle HeadsA good guess is better than a bad measurementI don't recall anyone getting peeved about the posts that warned about how dangerous they could be.  I guess it depends on who is working on the project more than the project itself?Doable project, yes.  Potential danger and, dare I say it, liability?  Yes.  Anyone would be a fool to say otherwise.Now, if you're comfortable with the risks, build it and please bring us the videos.Oh yeah, this MIGHT be illegal, too, so maybe somebody should at least say that...That said, tennis balls soaked in gasoline make way better projectiles than spuds...
Reply:Tennis ball soaked in gas are quite cool if proper amount of gas is used. First few trys used to much; too rich and wouldnt burn. Toilet paper rolls also...Airco 300 squarewaveMig welding center...Powcon sm300/LN 25Powcon sm200/PD lHypertherm PM 1100Miller AEAD 200LE W/LN25 FCand now another sm200 pd l combo.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterThis is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!Here we are incouraging potato guns that..Hurt..Maime...Can kill at an instance...You all have read the proof..Yet the thingamabobs that I welded up are totally unacceptable..Unreal.....zap!
Reply:just give me some hairspray and a bbq iginitor..Actually the first one i built, i used a taser that i bought off ebay
Reply:Originally Posted by Me!That said I am working on a SS and AL full auto blow-back action liquid cooled spud gun.   and got 1.5 spuds per sec. bu, I want min 3/sec  I will post pictures when it is working.
Reply:I made a cannon out of 4" sched 40 and 1/4" plate; priming hole in the closed end a spark plug and coil to fire it. Tested it with 4" alder rounds that happened to be lying around. Pounded the alder into the bore with a sledge and charged it with my cutting torch. Hooked up a long wire, I mean long and fired it from behind my pickemup. Had the thing angled at a 45 on some blocks and it took off the branches on the top of a 100' fir tree across the street. Now this is out in the country mind you.... worked good. Roll of tp fits in it perfect and a small amount of gas makes for nice flaming short distance projectile. Grapefruit maybe 100 yards. And a delicious cracking boom...Airco 300 squarewaveMig welding center...Powcon sm300/LN 25Powcon sm200/PD lHypertherm PM 1100Miller AEAD 200LE W/LN25 FCand now another sm200 pd l combo.
Reply:Speaking of going boom, 4th of july, oxy/acetylene, 30gal trash bag full of said explosive mixture, 1/2 case of Miller Lite.  Turns out, static electricity is created with cutting torch tip and plastic.  Went off in my hand and burst my eardrums.  Fast foward 2mos later, just had first reconstructive surgery on my right side and second is on the way for the other side.  If any of you guys have done this, or anything similar, usually a 1gallon ziploc, imagine that times 30 going off in your face.  Needless to say, it was a dumb mistake and I WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN.  It just bothers me if I dont share my experience when I read or hear of someone wanting to blow something up.  Just my 2cents
Reply:Originally Posted by powerpro509Speaking of going boom, 4th of july, oxy/acetylene, 30gal trash bag full of said explosive mixture, 1/2 case of Miller Lite.  Turns out, static electricity is created with cutting torch tip and plastic.  Went off in my hand and burst my eardrums.  Fast foward 2mos later, just had first reconstructive surgery on my right side and second is on the way for the other side.  If any of you guys have done this, or anything similar, usually a 1gallon ziploc, imagine that times 30 going off in your face.  Needless to say, it was a dumb mistake and I WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN.  It just bothers me if I dont share my experience when I read or hear of someone wanting to blow something up.  Just my 2cents
Reply:Originally Posted by powerpro509It just bothers me if I dont share my experience when I read or hear of someone wanting to blow something up.  Just my 2cents
Reply:Powerpro509, Sorry to hear of your mishap. It's good that you're trying to warn the next guy. I second the warning of the serious risks of playing with the gas balloons.I've long suspected the static ignition issue, I've mentioned it before:  Originally Posted by denrepMcCormick, You're lucky it wasn't "perfectly mixed". Please don't downplay the dangerous potential of those mixes.I played with everything too, so I don't have much room to talk; but I am talking from experience. Believe it, you are handling a wicked bomb with those "mix" balloons.  I saw the results of a mishap with one. I also saw one "tested" in a car,  wouldn't dream of handling one again. I strongly encourage anyone who'll listen, not to handle the gas mix bags.I don't have proof, but when Bill "actually saw the torch light harmlessly inside the bag" it could have been set off by a static charge. Again, I don't have the proof, but I think the balloons seems to carry an extra high risk of static ignition. It's not the first mystery balloon ignition I've heard of.
Reply:Goes for the spud guns too,,,,,,   guy was killed south of Sacramento a month or two ago,,,,,   news was very vague, just talked about an "explosive device" and "no criminal or terrorist intent" , but nothing specific.   I suspect, they or the cops, didn't want to encourage anybody else to do the same stupid thing.   Long-time resident of the area, well-known and liked.   I happened to talk to one of the locals a couple weeks ago, gave me the straight story,,,,  sure enough, experimenting with potato guns.   Dead.
Reply:Ummmm...green walnuts work really well...
Reply:Just a little heads up here these are firearms as defined by the Bureau Of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms so building one without the the proper licenses can be a federal offense.
Reply:Originally Posted by flatbustedbrokeJust a little heads up here these are firearms as defined by the Bureau Of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms so building one without the the proper licenses can be a federal offense.
Reply:[QUOTE=737mechanic;218090]Actually it is totally legal to build a firearm for your own use as long as you have no intention on selling it and you have no felonies.You can build your own firearm but here is The ATF rules. With certain exceptions a firearm may be made by a non-licensee provided it is not for sale and the maker is not prohibited from possessing firearms. However, a person is prohibited from assembling a non-sporting semi-automatic rifle or non-sporting shotgun from imported parts. In addition, the making of an NFA firearm requires a tax payment and approval by ATF. An application to make a machine gun will not be approved unless documentation is submitted showing that the firearm is being made for a Federal or State agency.[18 U.S.C. 922(o) and (r), 26 U.S.C. 5822, 27 CFR 478.39, 479.62 and 479.105] NFA = National Firearms Act(B17) How do I obtain a classification from ATF for my "potato gun?"  [Back]Any person desiring a classification of a “potato gun,” “spud gun” or similar device must submit a written request (not e-mail) to the Director and include a complete and accurate description of the device, the name and address of the manufacturer or importer, the purpose for which it is intended, and such photographs, diagrams, or drawings as may be necessary to make a classification. A final determination may require physical examination of the device. Such requests for classification should be submitted to: Bureau of ATF, Firearms Technology Branch.
Reply:A properly constructed spud gun using compressed air at reasonable pressure can be relatively safe IF you know what you are doing.  I wouldn't mess with stuff that uses any type fuel gas or granular propellant.  If you want to do that, buy/make a muzzle loader or cannon.
Reply:Our local volunteer fire dept on one 4th of July decided they were going to try something different!! They took three (3) thirty-three gallon trash bags filled them with oxy& axy. Then put the filled bags under an ole stamped steel bathtub. They used  a trail of gasoline 100" from the bathtub to ignite. When the trail of gas was lit and when under that tub, the tub shot up in the air and took over12-15 seconds to come back down upon their new ambulance. Yep one of the fireman recorded the whole thing.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:[quote=flatbustedbroke;218140] Originally Posted by 737mechanicActually it is totally legal to build a firearm for your own use as long as you have no intention on selling it and you have no felonies.You can build your own firearm but here is The ATF rules. With certain exceptions a firearm may be made by a non-licensee provided it is not for sale and the maker is not prohibited from possessing firearms. However, a person is prohibited from assembling a non-sporting semi-automatic rifle or non-sporting shotgun from imported parts. In addition, the making of an NFA firearm requires a tax payment and approval by ATF. An application to make a machine gun will not be approved unless documentation is submitted showing that the firearm is being made for a Federal or State agency.[18 U.S.C. 922(o) and (r), 26 U.S.C. 5822, 27 CFR 478.39, 479.62 and 479.105] NFA = National Firearms Act(B17) How do I obtain a classification from ATF for my "potato gun?"  [Back]Any person desiring a classification of a “potato gun,” “spud gun” or similar device must submit a written request (not e-mail) to the Director and include a complete and accurate description of the device, the name and address of the manufacturer or importer, the purpose for which it is intended, and such photographs, diagrams, or drawings as may be necessary to make a classification. A final determination may require physical examination of the device. Such requests for classification should be submitted to: Bureau of ATF, Firearms Technology Branch.
Reply:Homeland Security is reading this post!
Reply:Semi Related to the topic. I had a friend build a blackpowder replica cannon. It can be seen here http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com/cannon/Cannon.html .Here is a video of a 5 gallon bucket of refractory hit by a 1 Lb lead ball. http://www.weldinginspectionsvcs.com...ics/bucket.avi A Bowlingball mortar is in the works.Have a nice dayhttp://www.weldingdata.com/
Reply:A spud gun is not a firearm per the legal definition.  A firearm fires fixed cartridges.  Spud guns release compressed air or burns an air fuel mixture.  Spud guns have no federal restrictions.  There may be local or state laws that cover them.  I can almost guarantee that they are illegal if used as a weapon in any state.  That said, while they are a lot of fun, they have a dangerous side to them.  As far as the "don't try this at home" part,I probably shouldn't ride my motorcycle because I heard that you can poke your eye out with that running with scissors.....  If you are doing it, at least try to be a menace only to yourself, don't put the whole neighborhood at risk.Rene
Reply:i would use a lanternt lighter as the ignition over a BBQ pit lighter. no batteries and as long as you mount it in the cap so you dont spray it with your fuel, it will spark every time.