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(33 votes) Published: Oct 08, 2006 9:38 p.m. Viewed 122 times
First you need to decide on what size cannon you want to build. You then need to go to
the hardware store (or building site) and get your parts.
First you will need two lengths of PVC piping, one with a bigger diameter than the other (these should not have thin walls). The bigger pipe will be your chamber and the smaller one your barrel. To determine how long to cut your PVC you need to use the chamber to barrel volume(V=pi x r2 x height) ratio of 1.5:1(TAKE MATH). The chamber should not be
any longer than 6X its diameter.
Next you will need a threaded end cap to go on one end of the chamber and a reducer that fits your barrel to go on the other end.
Next you need to get some PVC glue. Glue the end cap and reducer to either ends of the chamber as per the direction on the glue. Also, glue the barrel to the reducer.
Now, buy an electric barbeque igniter and a couple of screws that are roughly the same length as the radius of the chamber. Drill two holes about a fifth of the way up from the bottom of the chamber at opposite ends of the diameter. Position the screws in these holes so there is a small gap (about ½ a centimeter) between the points. Hook up the wires from the barbeque igniter to the heads of the screws. Test the connection by clicking the button on the barbeque igniter. If a spark consistently jumps from the points of the screws epoxy them into place.
Drill a hole in the bottom of the barrel and put in a screw. Epoxy it in place. This is to stop the potato from sliding into the chamber.
Sharpen the end of the barrel with a knife, file, or sandpaper to easily core the potato and provide it with a snug fit.
Get some chicken wire and wrap it around the chamber and duck tape it into place. This is so if the chamber cracks no PVC shards will be flying around.
Position the barbecue igniter in a comfortable place (by your thumb when holding?) and
tape into place.
To fire, put a potato in the end of the barrel by twisting it. Then get a long straight stick to push the potato to the bottom of the barrel.
Open the end cap and spray in any flammable aerosol product (preferably starting fluid).
Finding the right amount to put in takes time as each potato gun is different, but start with a very
SMALL amount.
Put the end cap back on quickly, aim and push in the barbeque igniter.
Before firing again give chamber time to air out.
****optional
(may be hard to understand) buy some threaded things? and glue to reducer and barrel so barrel can unscrew for easy transport.
****troubleshooting (pun)
*not sparking*
-clean around inside of chamber, especially between screws
-clean and sandpaper screws
-make sure chicken wire is not too close to screw heads.
*not shooting well*
-too much or too little spray
-not aired out enough
*potatoes get boring*
go to this website http://www.aaroncake.net/spuds/things.asp
I made a 9 foot potato cannon with this method. it works great.
(I take no responsibility for anyone getting hurt by actually making and firing this. This is for informational purposes only.)
Oct 09, 2006 12:44 am - there is no evidence you even tried to add pics.. there arent any tags or links at all. And yes, another egg was just made on this very topic, why copy the idea and piss out another crap egg?
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