How to Make a Hybrid Potato Cannon

Pack some power into a potato.

Hybrid potato cannons, otherwise known as spud guns, use elements of a pneumatic potato cannon and a combustion potato cannon. Pneumatic ones use air pressure to launch a potato and combustion ones use fuel to ignite the launch. The hybrid cannon uses air pressure and fuel, therefore making it more powerful than the pneumatic or combustion cannon alone. The fuel and the air must be measured approximately for an effective and safe result; hybrids have fired potatoes that have broken the sound barrier.

Things You'll Need

• Power drill
• Metal pipe
• Large metal tank for air pressure
• Standard electronic sprinkler valve
• Gas lighter or spark plug for ignition
• Air valve for bike / car tires
• Metered propane tank
• PSI meter for the air tank to measure pressure
• Valve to attach propane tank to metal air tank
• Air compressor
• Strong epoxy
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Drill holes to fit all the meters and valves on the air tank. Insert bike valve and seal very tightly with epoxy and tape. Attach other valves and meters in similar fashion.

2. Weld the electronic sprinkler valve to the air tank. Then drill a hole in the part of the barrel that is closest to the sprinkler valve and weld barrel to the metal pipe.

3. Connect the sprinkler valve to a 9-volt battery. Check to make sure that the sprinkler valve is closed.

4. Attach propane tank to sprinkler valve. Hit the ignition button (spark plug or gas lighter) to insure that no propane is leaking. No flame means there is no leak. Pump air into the tank using an air compressor.

5. Check that meters do not exceed 95 PSI. The cannon is now ready; to use, hit the firing switch on the electronic sprinkler valve and ignition button at the same time.

Tips & Warnings

• The hybrid potato cannon can be an extremely dangerous weapon, especially when poorly constructed. Please use with care and handle the cannon with the same caution as you would any firearm.

References

• National High Magnetic Field Labratory: How Potato Cannons Work
• The Spudgun Technology Center: What Is A Spudgun?
• Spudfiles