How to Build a Potato Launcher
Get all your parts ready for assembly., Cut all your pipes to the correct length using a saw. , Glue the end cap holder onto the end combustion chamber pipe (Fatter, shorter one) Make sure you don't get glue into the threads. , Take the 3" to 1.5"...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get all your parts ready for assembly.
See below for part list. -
Step 2: Cut all your pipes to the correct length using a saw.
,,,,,,, Cut two lengths of 2"-diameter pipe 30" long and a third 6" long.
On the end of one, glue on the 2"x1" SPIGOT x FIPT reducer bushing.
To do this, glue the bushing into the coupling, then glue the coupling onto the pipe.
Using the elbows, then make a U-shaped pipe, with the 6" section as the bottom of the U.
Cut the bike tube off of the valve, leaving the valve and a small flap of rubber around then the valve, about 3/4" wide.
Before gluing on the pipe end cap, drill a hole in the center of the cap just big enough for the bike valve.
Insert the valve, cut from the tube, and tighten the valve on the cap using the nut.
Then glue the cap on the open end of pipe.
Where the female threads are, thread the 3" long pipe nipple.
Be sure to use the Teflon tape on the male threads of the nipple! , Cut a length of 2" diameter pipe 36" long (remember, you can always trim this down later!), and also cut a 4" long piece of 1"-diameter pipe.
Glue the remaining reducer bushing into one end of the barrel (to do this, glue the bushing into the coupling, then glue the coupling onto the pipe), then glue the 1" pipe into the bushing.
Finally, glue the 1" SOCKET x MIP adapter on the end of the 1" pipe. , Thread the air chamber into the valve.
BE SURE THE AIR WILL MOVE IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION!! Air from the chamber needs to move into the IN hole of the valve, and out of the OUT hole of the valve, as indicated by arrows.
Tighten down until snug, and be sure to position the valve on the chamber so there is room for the barrel. , Thread this into the OUT hole of the valve until snug. , 3 9v batteries wired together (in series) to make 27v works perfectly.
A 12v battery will work effectively, too.
Applying voltage will open the valve, cutting it off will close the valve. , ,, Have fun! , This prevents the combustion gasses from escaping around the projectile instead of pushing it forward and will result in inefficient shots. , Use the barrel as a cookie-cutter to force a perfect circle of potato into the muzzle and force it down with a ramrod. ,, Seven seconds of spraying is plenty. ,, -
Step 3: Glue the end cap holder onto the end combustion chamber pipe (Fatter
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Step 4: shorter one) Make sure you don't get glue into the threads.
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Step 5: Take the 3" to 1.5" reducer and glue the 3" end to the other side of the combustion chamber.
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Step 6: Glue the barrel to the other end of the reducer.
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Step 7: Put two 3-inch nails into the 3" section on either side so there about 1 centimeter (0.4Â in) apart.
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Step 8: Put small alligator clips on the leads to your BBQ lighter.
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Step 9: Let it dry for a day
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Step 10: then you're ready to fire.
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Step 11: Create the air chamber.
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Step 12: Make the barrel.
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Step 13: Put Teflon tape on the open end of the air chamber's pipe nipple.
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Step 14: Put Teflon tape on the threads on the end of the barrel.
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Step 15: Hook up a 24v DC or AC power source to the solenoid.
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Step 16: Load the ammunition (potatoes
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Step 17: fruits
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Step 18: towels
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Step 19: Fill the air chamber with a normal bike pump or a REGULATED air compressor using the valve on the air chamber.
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Step 20: Apply voltage to open the valve
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Step 21: thus FIRING THE GUN.
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Step 22: Ensure a tight seal around the projectile.
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Step 23: Cut each potato in half and put it on a board or hard ground.
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Step 24: Open the end cap.
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Step 25: Spray propellant (almost all hairspray will do) inside the chamber and close end cap tightly.
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Step 26: Connect the alligator clips to the nails in the chamber.
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Step 27: Aim away from all people and click the sparker (it may take a few sparks so don't be discouraged if it doesn't work).
Detailed Guide
See below for part list.
,,,,,,, Cut two lengths of 2"-diameter pipe 30" long and a third 6" long.
On the end of one, glue on the 2"x1" SPIGOT x FIPT reducer bushing.
To do this, glue the bushing into the coupling, then glue the coupling onto the pipe.
Using the elbows, then make a U-shaped pipe, with the 6" section as the bottom of the U.
Cut the bike tube off of the valve, leaving the valve and a small flap of rubber around then the valve, about 3/4" wide.
Before gluing on the pipe end cap, drill a hole in the center of the cap just big enough for the bike valve.
Insert the valve, cut from the tube, and tighten the valve on the cap using the nut.
Then glue the cap on the open end of pipe.
Where the female threads are, thread the 3" long pipe nipple.
Be sure to use the Teflon tape on the male threads of the nipple! , Cut a length of 2" diameter pipe 36" long (remember, you can always trim this down later!), and also cut a 4" long piece of 1"-diameter pipe.
Glue the remaining reducer bushing into one end of the barrel (to do this, glue the bushing into the coupling, then glue the coupling onto the pipe), then glue the 1" pipe into the bushing.
Finally, glue the 1" SOCKET x MIP adapter on the end of the 1" pipe. , Thread the air chamber into the valve.
BE SURE THE AIR WILL MOVE IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION!! Air from the chamber needs to move into the IN hole of the valve, and out of the OUT hole of the valve, as indicated by arrows.
Tighten down until snug, and be sure to position the valve on the chamber so there is room for the barrel. , Thread this into the OUT hole of the valve until snug. , 3 9v batteries wired together (in series) to make 27v works perfectly.
A 12v battery will work effectively, too.
Applying voltage will open the valve, cutting it off will close the valve. , ,, Have fun! , This prevents the combustion gasses from escaping around the projectile instead of pushing it forward and will result in inefficient shots. , Use the barrel as a cookie-cutter to force a perfect circle of potato into the muzzle and force it down with a ramrod. ,, Seven seconds of spraying is plenty. ,,
About the Author
Kayla Henderson
Specializes in breaking down complex lifestyle topics into simple steps.
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