Medium Sized/Power spud gun

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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doomburger
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Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:56 am

Hey guys! I am quite a newbie to creating spud guns, and so I would like your help to get started on my first non mini spud gun. I am looking to build a medium size and power spud gun out of ABS plastic. (I heard its safer... safety first!) I would like to use this spud gun in a double tennis court, so it shouldn't be very strong at all and also I want it to be quite small (under 1 m) due to cramped conditions. How will I accomplish all this? Any tips on how to make the gun quieter is also welcome! (I don't want to annoy all my neighbors :P)

PS: I know the basics, such as using the BBQ ignition thing for I have already made a mini spud gun.
sagthegreat
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Fri Jul 27, 2012 11:02 am

first, use copper fitting

1/2 inch and 1 meter long barrel, 3/4 inch and 2 feet long chamber, hooked up to a qev valve, and piloted by a blowgun. Fill to about 250 psi for medium power and 400 psi for the best fun of your life :D.
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doomburger
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Fri Jul 27, 2012 11:14 am

Thanks for the reply, but I have no idea whatsoever how to make that lol. Could you elaborate on the process of building it? Also that would be kinda too large for my use :( (I only have a double tennis court to use it)
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Fri Jul 27, 2012 11:34 am

there's no mystery to making a small combustion launcher. Even a simple tube capped on one end will work. Exhibit A.
hectmarr wrote:You have to make many weapons, because this field is long and short life
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doomburger
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Fri Jul 27, 2012 11:42 am

Wow well now I feel stupid :P. Thanks!
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Fnord
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Fri Jul 27, 2012 3:07 pm

Please read up on solvent welding and basic cannon construction. The wiki link at the top of the page has tons of information. The best way to go from there is to just start clicking stuff randomly and reading.

While the example JSR posted is a good 'barebones' cannon, it is not really something for general use, since it is underbuilt in terms of pressure safety/ergonomics.

You may want to try a tennis ball cannon, since they tend to be less damaging than hard projectiles and don't make a mess like potatoes. Go with a two-foot barrel made from 2.5" pvc, and a chamber with only about 75% of the barrel volume (this will reduce the noise output).
Spray-n-pray with staring fluid, then go to fuel metering when you get bored with that..

You will probably have difficulty killing anybody with this, but normal firearms rules apply when others are around. Being hit in the head point blank would result in a concussion or worse.
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