It is crucial to point out to people that the aim of your spud gun is increased by the length of your pipe. You also need to note that the compustion chamber has to be enlarged if you are using a longer barrel or are looking for extended distance. The best models I have seen so far have a shorter combustion enclosure with a wide diameter, an electric ignition off of a portable camping stove, a sharpened barrel edge (for faster loading of potatoes), a shoulder harness for easier aiming, and an under-barrel ram pin similar to those used on muskets and ancient guns. Never fire a potato blaster from on top of your shoulder. A slip next to your face can slay you.
(Flaming, explosive, black powder, or living projectiles can often make a legal spud mortars banned in many jurisdictions. Many heavily populated areas have ordinances on projectiles and big noises.)
The real skill on a combustion based potato gun is finding the right combustion source. Try finding a twist-type ignitor for a camping stove or lamp. You can also buy a Barbeque manufacturer push-button ignitor button which is usually sold at hardware stores or anywhere that sells gas barbeques.
The internal ignition spud mortar is befitting, especially for transportability purposes. However, a pneumatic spud gun greatly decreases reloading times, maintenance times, and mess. You may need a couple of diameter reducers to get down to the same size as the nipple depending on the size of the barrel you start with.
The gas 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 tremendously dangerous and result in harm or death to the chap if proper precautions aren’t taken. A rule of thumb to follow in testing this would be to always start with modest amounts of whatever propellant you are using as a weaker explosion would merely send the potato out at a reduced rate. Be warned about the distance that this cannon will go. Make sure you have the space to fire this without destroying anything and treat it like a musket, not a toy. Also remember to obey the law and check with your city’s local laws and codes before constructing. Lastly…have fun with your new invention.
Even if you don’t plan to build one it’s fascinating to watch videos of how to build a spud gun and the results of the testing videos of spud guns being fired. Visit http://www.skippydeals.com/howtobuildapotatogun.com
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