How to Build a Spud Gun or Potato Cannon
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What is a Spud Gun Anyhow?
A spud gun is usually a home brew device (very popular on farms and other rural settings) that will shoot a potato as a projectile and, depending on the type of gun, shoot the potato up to several hundred yards. As you can imagine, these are serious devices, and should be handled with care, but can give an impressive display of firepower. We take a look at some plans and videos on building a spud gun, along with a little on the legality of spud guns.
Warning- Spud Guns are Not Legal Everywhere
Before you start building one of these potato cannons, check with your local authorities to make sure they are legal in your area. To get some idea, you can check at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spud_Gun_Legality
to get some idea, but this can't be counted on to be current for all changes in the law.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spud_Gun_Legality
to get some idea, but this can't be counted on to be current for all changes in the law.
Spud Gun Plans on Amazon
Books with plans for potato cannons and more.
The Backyard Ballistics book gets high marks in the reviews. It presents several types of different pyrotechnic projects for the adventurous builder that can be done in your backyard. There is an emphasis on safety, but the projects still pack a wallop.
Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/09/2009) 
Whoosh Boom Splat: The Garage Warrior's Guide to Building Projectile Shooters
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 07/09/2009)
Types of Spud Guns and Potato Cannons
There are three basic types of spud guns:
1) Combustion Cannons - These are the simplest, using a simple mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber, which is ignited with some type of spark typically, including Taser guns. Common fuels for these guns include hair sprays and other aerosols, and sometimes propane fuel.
2) Compressed Air (Pneumatic Cannons) - These are a little more complicated because the guns propel the potato with compressed air in the gun, which is filled with a pump or from a compressed air tank. This means the gun has to have an airtight holding container, making is a little more complicated to build than the combustion types.
3) Hybrid Cannons- These are the most complicated to build, but are usually the most powerful as well. They use a fuel - air mixture that is held under pressure, and fired with some spark again. It's this type of design that often can launch a potato several hundred yards.
1) Combustion Cannons - These are the simplest, using a simple mixture of fuel and air in a combustion chamber, which is ignited with some type of spark typically, including Taser guns. Common fuels for these guns include hair sprays and other aerosols, and sometimes propane fuel.
2) Compressed Air (Pneumatic Cannons) - These are a little more complicated because the guns propel the potato with compressed air in the gun, which is filled with a pump or from a compressed air tank. This means the gun has to have an airtight holding container, making is a little more complicated to build than the combustion types.
3) Hybrid Cannons- These are the most complicated to build, but are usually the most powerful as well. They use a fuel - air mixture that is held under pressure, and fired with some spark again. It's this type of design that often can launch a potato several hundred yards.
Toy Spud Guns on Amazon
Safe for the Little Ones
These toy spud guns shoot small pieces of potatoes and are pretty safe. Most are powered by compressing air when squeezing the trigger mechanism, so some of them are safe for use for youngsters as young as five years old.
POTATO GUN
Amazon Price: $0.85 (as of 07/09/2009)
Die Cast Potato Spud Gun
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
Set of 12 Potato Guns 6inch Shoots Harmless Potatoes
Amazon Price: $19.89 (as of 07/09/2009)
Building a Spud Gun on YouTube vids
Some of these are a little crazy, and some show people doing some pretty stupid stuff, so be careful before you try any of this at home.
Spud Guns on eBay
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Comments on the Spud Gun Videos
What do you think about the videos of some of these gun demonstrations
by jsr54
I enjoy writing gardening articles and home improvement tips. This includes tomato tips, garden gadgets like compost bins, garden sheds and birding it...
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