Mini Desktop Spud Cannon / Potato Gun

thingiverse

Hi Guys, Introducing my mini desktop launcher that i've been playing with. It started off as a small joke competition to fire ear protectors across the office but soon devolved into something more technical. I've been fine tuning it for a while (although i can't seem to get the threads right hahaha). The barrel tapers to a point to allow it to be sunk into a potato to get a slug in there. I've also played around with fuels, standard lighter fluid works well (butane) but the best as been isopropanol (the liquid kind, not the hand sanitiser one). Please note, more fuel doesnt make a better boom. I found that around 4% of the barrel capacity is the most powerful. Before firing, let it evapourate a little in the barrel. The cap is designed to be used with a 1p coin to tighten and loosen. You'll need a cheap bbq lighter, I picked mine up for £1. The wires from the pizo can just be redirected into the small holes of the chamber to create a spark once the button is depressed. Make a good use, don't be stupid, I will not be responsible for any bad use. Alright so... the steps to fire, Load the barrel, be it a slug of potato or ear protector. I measure it out with the leftover part from the bbq lighter. Add about 1ml of fuel to the chamber and swish around, letting it evapourate a little. make sure none spills out. Close off the chamber with the cap, it doesnt need to be tightened down all the way, but enough so it does go shooting off. Aim across the room and fire away. https://youtu.be/eoAoRJ9mixg <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R07wiwq8iM0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>