How to make a Potato Gun / Tater Gun / Spud Gun

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By bigdaddy2nugget
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Tater Guns can be fun but also very dangerous

Potato guns, Tater Guns or Spud Guns however you want to say it all accomplish the same thing. Pure fun with half rotten veggies. I caution all whom choose to make a Tater Gun that even I have been injured and burned my clothing using a Tater Gun. So please take caution and

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

4ft. 2" PVC Pipe
2ft. 3" PVC Pipe
2" to 3" PVC Coupling
3" PVC End Cap with screw in lid
PVC Glue
Gas Grill Igniter
Assorted drill bits
Drill
Epoxy or hot glue
Sharpie
Electrical Tape
Vaseline
Aerosol Hair Spray
Saw

Step 1

Your first step is to make sure all of your supplies are close by. You can adjust the length of the muzzle (The 2" PVC Pipe) as low as 2 feet long, but it will affect the accuracy and the safety of the gun itself.
Step 2

The second step is to make sure all pieces fit together correctly by dry fitting them together(DRY FIT = PUT TOGETHER WITHOUT ANY ADHESIVE). Once you are satisfied with the fit you will need the clean the ends that are going to be glued together.
Step 3

Once cleaned you can start the gluing start at the 3" PVC with the end cap making sure you "DO NOT GLUE THE SCREW IN LID" once the cap is connected hold together and twist it on making sure both pieces have been properly coated. Hold together for a fifteen second count.
Step 4

Now it is time to add the reducer coupler repeat the gluing process and then onto the muzzle of the gun repeat gluing steps as described above. Make sure you let the glue set over night or upto 24+ hours.
Step 5

Next you will want to get a feel of how you will hold the gun one hand on the 2" pipe and the trigger hand on the 3" pipe. Once you get a feel of where you want the trigger machanisim to be placed mark and then drill two holes only larger enough to feed the leads of the Gas Grill igniter. The holes should not be more than 1.5 inches apart as you will set the correct distance for maximum spark inside the firing chamber. Look inside the chamber and pull the wires in only as long enough to make a small spark then use hot glue or epoxy to fasten the leads to the chamber inside and out.
Step 6

Once you are sure you have a good spark tape the trigger button and extra wire up on the outside of the 3" chamber so you can use your thumb to ignite the gun.
Step 7

Once the epoxy or hot glue is completely dried coat the threads to the lid and cap so the hair spray will not seal the chamber closed.
Step 8

Now your ready stuff a potato into the pipe using a short broom handle or stick push the potato down until it almost reaches the reducer coupler. Then you will want to spray about five seconds of hairspray into the chamber putting the lid on fast to seal it up and make sure it is "TIGHT" (if you don't this is when the fire can shoot out the back and burn you.) Put safety glasses on then "Ready, Aim, Fire!!!" ("DO NOT AIM AT ANYONE, ANYONE'S PERSONAL PROPERTY, OR ANIMALS AS THIS WILL CAUSE SERIUS DAMAGE, BODILY HARM OR EVEN DEATH!!!")