Potato Launcher Directions

A potato launcher can be surprisingly effective.

Potatoes are not thought of as weapons, but a potato launcher can rival any projectile-firing device. You can make a homemade potato launcher from a few parts from a hardware store along with some common household items. Consider the potato launcher a weekend project and not hurry it so you construct it correctly. Adult supervision is necessary if the builder is a child, due to the way the potato launcher is fired.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• 2 foot by 2 inches wide PVC pipe
• 1 foot by 3 inches wide PVC pipe
• 3-inch wide PVC coupler adapter
• PVC coupler cap
• Bonding glue
• Portable drill
• 5/8-inch drill bit
• Power saw
• Ruler
• Barbecue lighter
• Potato
• Grease pencil
• Hair spray can
• Work gloves
• Protective eyewear

Instructions

1. Put a sheet of newspaper on a table. Place the 2-foot long PVC pipe horizontally on the newspaper. Apply bonding glue around the inside rim on the left end of the PVC pipe.

2. Insert the end of the PVC coupler adapter into the left end of the PVC pipe. Let the bonding glue set for three hours.

3. Apply bonding glue around the inside rim of the end of the PVC coupler adapter. Place one end of the 1-foot PVC pipe over the end of the PVC coupler adapter. Let the bonding glue set for three hours.

4. Place a PVC cap on the newspaper with the inside facing up. Hold a potato against the inside of the PVC cap. Draw around the potato with the grease pencil. Remove the potato. Cut out the hole drawn in the PVC cap using the power saw.

5. Apply bonding glue to the outside rim of the 1-foot PVC pipe and the inside rim of the PVC cap that has the hole in it. Put the PVC cap on the end of the 1-foot PVC pipe. Let the bonding glue set for three hours.

6. Measure 8 inches in from the end of the PVC pipe that doesn't have the PVC cap on it. Drill a hole in the side of the PVC pipe at this spot with the portable drill.

7. Unscrew the bottom from the barbecue lighter. Pull the button assembly out of the bottom of the lighter. Discard the bottom.

8. Apply bonding glue around the rim of the hole in the PVC pipe. Insert the tip of the barbecue lighter into the hole. Let the boding glue set for three hours.

9. Apply bonding glue to the bottom of the button assembly. Place the button assembly onto the PVC pipe next to the hole. Let the bonding glue set for three hours.

10. Go outside in your backyard. Put on the work gloves and protective eye wear.

11. Aim the nozzle of the hair spray can into the open end of the PVC pipe. Spray the hair spray into the open end of the PVC pipe for five seconds. Place the PVC cap onto the open end of the PVC pipe.

12. Insert a potato into the hole in the PVC cap. Aim the PVC cap that has the hole in it at a tree or rock in your backyard.

13. Press the button on the button assembly to spark the barbecue lighter, ignite the hair spray and shoot the potato out of your potato launcher.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute ping-pong balls for the potato.

• Never fire a potato launcher at a person or pet or in a public place.

References

• Rockzilla 8; How To Make A Potato Cannon And/Or Gun

Resources

• Spudtech: The Spudgun Technology Center