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== The Spudding Handbook ==
 
== The Spudding Handbook ==
Welcome to The Spudding Handbook!  This wiki format handbook contains all of the information you will ever need to build spudguns, and much more besides.  The purpose of this handbook is to explain the principles of spudguns and how they are built and operated.  All of thin information contained in this handbook is free and available to anybody who wishes to view it.
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Welcome to The Spudding Handbook!  This wiki format handbook contains all of the information you will ever need to build spudguns, and much more besides.  The purpose of this handbook is to explain the principles of spudguns and how they are built and operated.  All of the information contained in this handbook is free and available to anybody who wishes to view it.
  
 
Look around and enjoy your stay.
 
Look around and enjoy your stay.
 
--[[User:BC Pneumatics|BC Pneumatics]] 02:13, 31 May 2008 (EDT)
 
--[[User:BC Pneumatics|BC Pneumatics]] 02:13, 31 May 2008 (EDT)
 
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[[Image:Cannon.jpg|frame|An Advanced Combustion Cannon]]
 
==What is a Spudgun?==
 
==What is a Spudgun?==
[[Image:Cannon.jpg|frame|An Advanced Combustion Cannon]]
 
 
''Main article: [[What_is_a_spudgun%3F|What is a spudgun?]]''
 
''Main article: [[What_is_a_spudgun%3F|What is a spudgun?]]''
  
There are many different names for spudguns. They are called potato cannons, spud launchers, potato guns, spud cannons, and a host of others. Whatever you decide to call it, all of the aforementioned describe the same type of device: a device used to accelerate a potato down the barrel, and shoot it some distance. While it may offend some purists, the humble little potato is quickly losing favor to other ammunitions such as golf balls, tennis balls, and other cheap, uniform projectiles.
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There are many different names for spudguns. They are called potato cannons, spud launchers, potato guns, spud cannons, and a host of others. Whatever you decide to call it, all of the aforementioned describe the same type of device: a device used to accelerate a [[potato]] down the [[barrel]], and launch it some distance. While it may offend some purists, the humble little potato is quickly losing favor to other ammunitions such as [[golf ball]]s, [[tennis ball]]s, and other cheap, uniform projectiles.
  
 
==Types of Spudguns==
 
==Types of Spudguns==
  
  
=== Pneumatic Launchers ===
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=== [[Pneumatic_launcher|Pneumatic Launchers]] ===
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A [[Pneumatic launcher]] uses the energy stored in compressed gas, most often times air that has been compressed by a bicycle pump or an air compressor.  CO2 is also used semi-regularly, and compressed gases such as nitrogen and hydrogen have been used in the past. The air resides within the launcher's chamber, and is held back by a valve. When the valve is opened and the air is allowed to decompress, the ammunition is pushed in front of it down the barrel.
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These use the energy stored in compressed gas to launch a projectile. The launcher's [[chamber]] is [[pressure|pressurized]] and the gas held back from the barrel by a [[valve]]. When the valve is opened the gas is allowed to rapidly expand and escape down the barrel forcing the projectile out before it.
  
 
=== Combustion Launchers ===
 
=== Combustion Launchers ===
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A [[Combustion launcher]] gets the energy it needs to launch a projectile from the combustion of volatile fuels that are added to the chamber prior to ignition.  Traditionally, combustion launchers are fueled by an aerosol product that use flammable gases for pressurization.  Automotive starting fluid, hairsprays and body sprays are popular traditional fuels.  Propane, butane and other pure combustible gases are preferred in more advanced guns. The combustible gases are most commonly ignited by a BBQ igniter ([[Lantern_sparker|flint]], [[BBQ_ignitor|piezo]] or electronic) or a [[Stun_gun|stun gun]]. The combustion of the fuel releases energy and creates a spike in pressure that propels the ammunition.
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* '''[[Combustion_launcher|Regular Combustions]]'''
==== Hybrid Launchers ====
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These find the energy needed to launch a projectile from the [[Combustion process|combustion]] of a gaseous [[fuel]] and air mixture. The fuel is added to the air already in the chamber, the chamber is sealed and the mixture ignited.  This combustion creates a pressure spike that forces the projectile out through the connected barrel.
[[Hybrid launcher]]s are a special type of combustion launcher using a fuel/air mixture that is compressed to a pressure higher than that of the atmosphere. The name Hybrid was coined when these types of launchers were described as a mix of a [[pneumatic launcher]] and a [[combustion launcher]], though this is a bit of a misnomer.  While hybrids do utilize a pressurized chamber system, this is where the similarities with a pneumatic launcher end.  The operation of a hybrid is much more closely related to that of a combustion launcher, the main difference being the use of a [[Burst disk]] in most hybrid systems. While pneumatic cannons get their power from releasing the potential energy created by compressing gases, hybrids get the energy they use for launch from the potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of the fuel/air mixture.  The pressurization of a hybrid is mainly a consequence of forcing more fuel and air into a smaller chamber, and is not intended to be a method of propulsion.
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* '''[[Hybrid_launcher|Hybrid Launchers]]'''
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Hybrid launchers are a special type of combustion launcher that use a pre-pressurized fuel/air mixture. This results in a higher pressure and hotter combustion on ignition, thereby transferring more energy to the projectile.
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=== [[BB Machine Gun]]s ===
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A [[BB Machine Gun]] (BBMG) is a device designed to shoot a large volume of small diameter ammo, typically plastic airsoft or steel BBs. BBMGs are pneumatic guns but unlike single shot launchers they require a constant gas supply to function.
  
 
==Important & Related Links==
 
==Important & Related Links==
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[[Index|Glossary/Index]]
 
[[Index|Glossary/Index]]
  
[[BCARMS]]
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[[Good technical examples & articles]]
  
 
[[Useful construction links]]
 
[[Useful construction links]]
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[[Safety]]
 
[[Safety]]
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[[Ammunition]]
  
 
[[Legal issues]]
 
[[Legal issues]]
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[[SpudFiles forum guidelines]]
 
[[SpudFiles forum guidelines]]
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[[Spudding Jokes]]
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[[Forum Stickies]] (Some of the most important topics on Spudfiles)
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
  
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spud_gun Wikipedia's page on spudguns]
 
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spud_gun Wikipedia's page on spudguns]
*[http://www.bavetta.com/aircannon.html Air Cannon Barrel Length Numerical Analysis]
 
 
*[http://www.thehalls-in-bfe.com/GGDT Gas Gun Design Tool, simulation program for pneumatic guns]
 
*[http://www.thehalls-in-bfe.com/GGDT Gas Gun Design Tool, simulation program for pneumatic guns]
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*[http://www.thehalls-in-bfe.com/HGDT Hybrid Gun Design Tool, simulation program for hybrid/combustion guns]
 
*[http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=13324#13324 ATF Correspondence concerning spud gun legality]
 
*[http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=13324#13324 ATF Correspondence concerning spud gun legality]
 
*[http://www.spudfiles.com SpudFiles Forum (aka The Spud Cannon Database)]
 
*[http://www.spudfiles.com SpudFiles Forum (aka The Spud Cannon Database)]
*[http://www.BCARMS.com BCARMS - Spud Cannon Parts, Accessories, Kits and Launchers]
 

Latest revision as of 02:42, 9 October 2013

The Spudding Handbook

Welcome to The Spudding Handbook! This wiki format handbook contains all of the information you will ever need to build spudguns, and much more besides. The purpose of this handbook is to explain the principles of spudguns and how they are built and operated. All of the information contained in this handbook is free and available to anybody who wishes to view it.

Look around and enjoy your stay. --BC Pneumatics 02:13, 31 May 2008 (EDT)

An Advanced Combustion Cannon

What is a Spudgun?

Main article: What is a spudgun?


There are many different names for spudguns. They are called potato cannons, spud launchers, potato guns, spud cannons, and a host of others. Whatever you decide to call it, all of the aforementioned describe the same type of device: a device used to accelerate a potato down the barrel, and launch it some distance. While it may offend some purists, the humble little potato is quickly losing favor to other ammunitions such as golf balls, tennis balls, and other cheap, uniform projectiles.

Types of Spudguns

Pneumatic Launchers

These use the energy stored in compressed gas to launch a projectile. The launcher's chamber is pressurized and the gas held back from the barrel by a valve. When the valve is opened the gas is allowed to rapidly expand and escape down the barrel forcing the projectile out before it.

Combustion Launchers

These find the energy needed to launch a projectile from the combustion of a gaseous fuel and air mixture. The fuel is added to the air already in the chamber, the chamber is sealed and the mixture ignited. This combustion creates a pressure spike that forces the projectile out through the connected barrel.

Hybrid launchers are a special type of combustion launcher that use a pre-pressurized fuel/air mixture. This results in a higher pressure and hotter combustion on ignition, thereby transferring more energy to the projectile.

BB Machine Guns

A BB Machine Gun (BBMG) is a device designed to shoot a large volume of small diameter ammo, typically plastic airsoft or steel BBs. BBMGs are pneumatic guns but unlike single shot launchers they require a constant gas supply to function.

Important & Related Links

Glossary/Index

Good technical examples & articles

Useful construction links

Launcher configuration

Computer Applications

International Potato Launching Association

Safety

Ammunition

Legal issues

History (A Brief History of Spud Guns)

SpudFiles forum guidelines

Spudding Jokes

Forum Stickies (Some of the most important topics on Spudfiles)

External links