How to Build a Propane Meter

Boom! The classic potato gun harnesses the combustion of flammable vapor. Show us your combustion spud gun and discuss fuels, ratios, safety, ignition systems, tools, and more.
User avatar
bigbob12345
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Posts: 1516
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:13 am
Location: Mercer Island,Washington

Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:25 pm

Ive always wondered if you could screw that out
Thanks for the info
User avatar
JDP12
Staff Sergeant 5
Staff Sergeant 5
Posts: 1943
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:34 pm

Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:26 pm

yea, i've done it, but only to see what it looks like inside
"Some say his pet elephant is pink, and that he has no understanding of "PG rated forum". All we know is, he's called JSR. "
NatoHub
Private 2
Private 2
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 3:48 pm

Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:47 pm

I just took a pipe wrench to it and got the angled pipe off.

Thanks!

I'm going to copy this cannon, because of it's pure awesomeness:
http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/revampe ... t9690.html
I'm going to change the color though.

My dad just told me he can get all of the pipe fittings (for the propane meter) from his work, so it looks like I'm actually going to go through with this.

This will be my 3rd cannon (I have one combustion, one pneumatic, but they're nothing special).

One last thing, I know this question has probably been asked 10,000 times, but what is a good barrel diameter and an easy-to-get ammo for that diameter that flies somewhat accurately/far?
User avatar
STHORNE
Sergeant 3
Sergeant 3
Posts: 1208
Joined: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:50 pm
Location: Kewaunee, Wisconsin

Donating Members

Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:50 pm

2" barrel

ammo:
golf balls
C/D batteries with tape
spuds
Forum Rules - follow them or else!
“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”
User avatar
starman
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
United States of America
Posts: 3027
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:45 am
Location: Simpsonville, SC

Donating Members

Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:01 pm

DYI wrote:I accomplished this in under one minute. The pink stuff is some sort of glue that was on the threads, but it didn't stand much of a chance against a 12" pipe wrench. You can tell when the glue is broken when you hear a snap.

Those threads are the same as threads on a 1/4" compression fitting, and will seal as long as you use a sealant compound.
Thank you DYI for that bit of illumination!! I just now unscrewed one of those myself upon reading this. Even with long good-gripping tools, I had to go eat an extra bowl of Wheaties to get that thing to break loose.... 8)

Mine was a little tougher because I had already sawed the angle off of the pipe and had only a 1" straight stub to grip onto.

Thanks again!
88pathoffroad
Private
Private
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:17 pm

Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:03 pm

FYI: Video link no longer works.
cowkiller
Private 2
Private 2
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:05 pm
Location: kansas

Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:09 pm

it would be greart if some one wrote a tech with pics and specs being the vid no longer works
clide
Corporal 3
Corporal 3
Posts: 784
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:06 am
Location: Oklahoma, USA

Donating Members

Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:08 pm

Here is the video
[youtube][/youtube]
<a href="http://gbcannon.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbcannon.com/pics/misc/pixel.png" border="0"></a>latest update - debut of the cardapult
cowkiller
Private 2
Private 2
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:05 pm
Location: kansas

Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:46 am

sweet very good video
Spud Bud
Private 2
Private 2
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:04 pm

Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:50 pm

Can I use a 1/2 in nipple and street elbow instead of the 1/4 fittings? This is the part that screws onto the chamber.
VirusX
Private 3
Private 3
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:51 pm

Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:17 am

Spud Bud wrote:Can I use a 1/2 in nipple and street elbow instead of the 1/4 fittings? This is the part that screws onto the chamber.
Hey I've got the same question - does anybody know?
I'm sorry, my English is not so good but I'll try my best!
User avatar
Hubb
First Sergeant 2
First Sergeant 2
Posts: 2390
Joined: Mon May 28, 2007 8:39 am
Location: South Georgia
Contact:

Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:27 am

It doesn't matter what size pipe or what type of fittings are used in a fuel meter. What matter's is the meter's volume in relation to the chamber. In fact, I used a 1/2" pipe nipple on my last combustion launcher.
Post Reply