mini combustion pistol

Boom! The classic potato gun harnesses the combustion of flammable vapor. Show us your combustion spud gun and discuss fuels, ratios, safety, ignition systems, tools, and more.
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boyce123
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Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 12:29 pm
Location: North Bend, Washington

Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:11 pm

This was a cannon i decided to throw together out of random spare parts. I didn't have any fittings, and didn't want to go buy any, so i made a couple endcaps oiut of 1/8 in aluminum plate and straped them on the ends. I fuel (with anything combustable, i've had success with propane, butane, hairspray, and ether) through a 3/8 in hole drilled in the top of the chamber. The chamber is around 8 in of 4 in pvc, with a 2 ft piece of 3/4 in pvc as the barrel. Getting mixes right is pretty much impossible right now, so i plan on adding a small chamber fan. The only thing i've shot has been small pieces of potato (so i don't have any damage pics/ or videos, i might be able to after i get a chamber fan, but small computer fans cost around $20 where i am...), the potato chunks at least go around 200 ft, and have a decent amount of power when i shoot something close range. This thing is unsafe, and i'm suprised that it hasn't blown up in my face yet...

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mattyzip77
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Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:42 pm

If its that unsafe why are you even using it. Have you seen my stupidest question thread?? Guess whos comment just made it there????
Go Bruins!!!!
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boyce123
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Posts: 62
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 12:29 pm
Location: North Bend, Washington

Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:21 pm

my last quote seems like a good candidate for that thread... if applied to a reasonably powerful cannon. I should give the thing more credit as far as safety is concerned. the pressure it generates probably doesn't even compare to a poorly designed, inefficient spray and pray, and the holes and leaks further prevent further build up of pressure that would deem it unsafe.
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