Instructions for Building a Homemade Potato Cannon

Homemade potato guns are fun, but can also be dangerous.

If you're like most red-blooded teenagers, you have the urge on occasion to shoot things up and fire random objects off, if only to watch them bludgeon, penetrate or soar through the sky. The potato cannon or potato gun is a natural weapon of choice --- the object is readily available, and the cannon can be constructed out of easily obtained household items. Though it can be highly amusing to watch a potato get shot out of PVC pipe, it must be mentioned that, if misused, these guns can cause serious injury or even death. That said, when used appropriately, they are an entertaining homemade method of warfare, and teenagers especially will get a big kick out of them (with adult supervision, of course). A few gentlemanly rules: Handle your potato cannon as you would a real gun. Do not aim it at anyone, and do not look down the barrel of a loaded potato cannon.

Things You'll Need

• Handsaw
• 1.5-inch PVC pipe
• 3-inch PVC pipe
• Tape measure
• PVC primer
• PVC glue
• 1 and 1/2-inch to 3-inch converter
• 3-inch threaded female adapter
• Drill
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• Lantern sparker
• File
• 3-inch threaded cap

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe to a length of 28 inches. Cut a piece of 3-inch PVC to a length of 18 inches.

2. Clean one end of the 3-inch pipe with PVC primer. Rub some PVC glue around the outside and slide it into a PVC 1 1/2-inch to 3-inch converter. Repeat the cleaning and gluing process with one end of the 1 1/2-inch pipe and insert that end into the converter.

3. Apply PVC primer to the other end of the 3-inch pipe. Rub glue around the outside and push on a 3-inch threaded female adapter.

4. Drill a hole through the center of the 3-inch pipe with a 1/8-inch drill bit. Insert a lantern sparker through this hole. Slide the sparker's lighting component into the 3-inch pipe and reattach the sparker.

5. Sharpen the exit edge of the 1 1/2 inch pipe with a file. This will allow the pipe to cut off any excess potato as you push it in.

6. Screw on a 3-inch threaded cap to the 3-inch female adapter. Allow the PVC glue to dry for at least 24 hours before using your potato cannon.

Tips & Warnings

• All PVC must have a Schedule 40 rating.

References

• advancedspuds.com: Spud Buster
• dangerouslyfun: Spud Gun

Resources

• The Spudgun Technology Center: Frequently Asked Questions