For the adolescents at sportiveness, having a good potato gun at hand can be a good way to spend some time outdoors.
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Everyone loves to devour potato's, but firing them out of a cannon can be just as amusing. Also known as a spudzooka, potato gun, potato cannon and Spud Gun, this is an entertaining project that demonstrates the principles of physics. Part of the adventure and enjoyment of manufacturing a potato gun is to experiment with the basic shape to tweak performance and learn valuable engineering instruction. Here's how to fabricate your own potato cannon.
It is noteworthy to point out to persons that the aim of your spud launcher is increased by the length of your pipe. You also need to note that the compustion socket has to be enlarged if you are using a longer pipe or are looking for enhanced distance. The finest models I have seen so far have a shorter combustion small compartment with a wide diameter, an electric ignition off of a portable camping stove, a sharpened barrel edge (for faster loading of potatoes), a shoulder tie for easier aiming, and an under-barrel ram bar similar to those used on muskets and old guns. Never set off a potato blaster from on top of your shoulder. A misfire next to your face can slay you.
(Flaming, explosive, black powder, or living projectiles can often make a legal spud cannons forbidden in many jurisdictions. Many heavily settled areas have ordinances on projectiles and booming noises.)
The real trick on a combustion based potato launcher is finding the right firing source. Try finding a twist-type ignitor for a camping stove or lamp. You can also buy a Barbeque manufacturer push-button ignitor switch which is usually sold at hardware stores or anywhere that sells gas barbeques.
The internal ignition spud launcher is nice, especially for transportability purposes. However, a pneumatic spud gun greatly decreases reloading times, maintenance times, and mess. You may need a few of diameter reducers to get down to the same size as the nipple depending on the size of the barrel you start with.
The propellant sources that I have used in the past have been mainly Hairspray. I would not recommend anything more powerful. Experimenting with gas sources can be extremely dangerous and result in harm or death to the individual if proper precautions aren't taken. A rule of thumb to follow in testing this would be to always start with small amounts of whatever gas you are using as a weaker explosion would merely send the potato out at a low rate. Be warned about the distance that this blaster will go. Make sure you have the space to fire this without harming anything and treat it like a rifle, not a toy. Also remember to obey the law and check with your city's local laws and codes before manufacturing. Lastly...have fun with your new invention! |
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Author Resource:-
Even if you don't plan to build a Potato Gun it's fascinating to watch videos of how to build a spud gun and the results of the testing videos of spud rifle being fired. CLICK HERE for video
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By :
Sanyo Peerless
Submitted
2010-08-14 12:14:28 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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