Goin BIG!

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.
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:06 am

BowerR64 wrote:I, I , I cant stop making these things. :D
When the bug bites, it bites hard :D another great job!
hectmarr wrote:You have to make many weapons, because this field is long and short life
Boomer58cal
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Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:55 am

Fantastic! Looks great. I just got an idea though... you should disguise one as a stainless steel thermos. You could make a piece that threads into the barrel that's actually holds coffee and has one of those screw on cups/lids. That way when your neighbors called the cops you can actually pour the officer a cup of coffee out of your cannon. :lol:
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BowerR64
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Thu Apr 24, 2014 4:09 pm

Thanks for all the feedback, they really are fun to make. Dont ask me what im going to do with all these, its like collecting guns or guitars you never seem to have to many and they all seem to be different even though they all do the same thing... make noise :mrgreen:

Ive fired this one 3 times now, havnt stuffed anything in it yet, i got a parachute rig built but havnt tried it yet. Ive been trying to think of a place to go try it i need some space that isnt windy

Boomer58cal wrote:Fantastic! Looks great. I just got an idea though... you should disguise one as a stainless steel thermos. You could make a piece that threads into the barrel that's actually holds coffee and has one of those screw on cups/lids. That way when your neighbors called the cops you can actually pour the officer a cup of coffee out of your cannon. :lol:
Thats funny because when i put the first piece of metal contact paper around the chamber i thought the same thing its starting to look like a "Thunder thermos" lol i bought some extra parts to make the handle connect at the top and bottom and my plan was to put 2 straps and connect it at the top and bottom like a real handle but it was to long with the igniter in it. It still came out ok i think.
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BowerR64
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Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:14 am

I thought of a little differnt setup, REALLY low power but enough to shoot empty 20oz pop bottles. Alot more quiet and i can do it in the back yard without causing to much of a problem. Unless they think its real now? :roll:

I found this little water balloon tank at CVS, it does 3 functions: fill balloons with air, water or shoot a mist. So it will hold some pressure. I cut the pickup tube inside that pulls up the water so insted it pulls in the acytlene wich mixes with the water. The volume of the tank is about what my 3" cannon uses so i use the same amount of carbide in the tank. Each balloon uses 5 pumps to fill the balloons making the perfect little charge to shoot the empty pop bottles and the little parachute figure. The air to gas is very consistant and WAY more effecient then the cannons wich use 1/4th tsp per shot. This setup will shoot the rockets about 10 times per 1/4 tsp of carbide.

Ill get some video next day it clears up enough to get out and shoot em again.
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2 rockets and launch tube
2 rockets and launch tube
SOme of the parts i used to propel the rockets and chute
SOme of the parts i used to propel the rockets and chute
This is how the rockets look when charged and ready to fire
This is how the rockets look when charged and ready to fire
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BowerR64
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Sat May 10, 2014 5:26 am

There is a couple guys who started this youtube DIY channel called "SonicDad" they build all kinds of home brew stuff using household items or things you can buy localy and then modify and tear up.

They designed a carbide cannon project #59 Sonic Boom Carbide Cannon. Its a Super Sonic expert level project.

They give all the plans, sizes of pipe, the length you need to cut everything.

I built one last weekend with my friends son, he is 16 and likes blowing stuff up like i do lol.

Here is how mine turned out.
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Sonic Dad carbide cannon together
Sonic Dad carbide cannon together
unassembeled for transmortation
unassembeled for transmortation
BOth cannons we built together
BOth cannons we built together
Boomer58cal
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Sat May 10, 2014 10:50 pm

A frickin carbide Howitzer! I love it. Like always you're paint job is beautiful.

Now is this thing supposed to actually shoot something at supersonic speeds or is the shockwave supposed to be super sonic making an extra loud bang?

What is the little hand pump for?

Edit... I just watched the video... At the end he fires it once and then pumps more air in and gets a second shot. Did I see that right?
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BowerR64
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Sun May 11, 2014 3:05 am

Its really not needed to be honest i think its a little over designed.

I think its more for looks or a cool factor. It can help blow out the spent fuel and bring in new fresh air but simply blowing threw the cap before loading the next round of powder can do the same thing. I dont think enough time was spent on the proper amount of carbide to use using the size of measuring spoon used in the plans is a little to large so by pumping in a few more pumps of air it can help with the mix.

I dont think he got another shot i think it was edited.

Its not designed to shoot anything just make noise. I used higher pressure pipe for the chamber section the lighter weight on the barrel. Marshmellows is about all ide feel safe shooting from it.
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Sun May 11, 2014 9:58 am

BowerR64 wrote:Its really not needed to be honest i think its a little over designed.

I think its more for looks or a cool factor. It can help blow out the spent fuel and bring in new fresh air but simply blowing threw the cap before loading the next round of powder can do the same thing. I dont think enough time was spent on the proper amount of carbide to use using the size of measuring spoon used in the plans is a little to large so by pumping in a few more pumps of air it can help with the mix.

I dont think he got another shot i think it was edited.

Its not designed to shoot anything just make noise. I used higher pressure pipe for the chamber section the lighter weight on the barrel. Marshmellows is about all ide feel safe shooting from it.
Yeah I just watched it again, you're right they edited it( Sorry late night )It looks like the pump just takes the place of a chamber fan in a traditional combustion. If it works that's a good idea for a cheap chamber fan alternative. Especially on a very compact launcher like my bouncy ball cannon with a 2" diameter chamber. Stuffing a chamber fan in there is not easy.

I bet the boy you helped build one for is having loads of fun with his! :bom:
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BowerR64
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Sun May 11, 2014 6:13 pm

Boomer58cal wrote:
BowerR64 wrote:Its really not needed to be honest i think its a little over designed.

I think its more for looks or a cool factor. It can help blow out the spent fuel and bring in new fresh air but simply blowing threw the cap before loading the next round of powder can do the same thing. I dont think enough time was spent on the proper amount of carbide to use using the size of measuring spoon used in the plans is a little to large so by pumping in a few more pumps of air it can help with the mix.

I dont think he got another shot i think it was edited.

Its not designed to shoot anything just make noise. I used higher pressure pipe for the chamber section the lighter weight on the barrel. Marshmellows is about all ide feel safe shooting from it.
Yeah I just watched it again, you're right they edited it( Sorry late night )It looks like the pump just takes the place of a chamber fan in a traditional combustion. If it works that's a good idea for a cheap chamber fan alternative. Especially on a very compact launcher like my bouncy ball cannon with a 2" diameter chamber. Stuffing a chamber fan in there is not easy.

I bet the boy you helped build one for is having loads of fun with his! :bom:
You know those little pumps move quite a bit of air you would be suprised by em.

His parents hate it when i come over, i always bring the stuff to blow up. They live close to town so for now we are kinda limited on how often we can shoot these. I havnt fired mine yet he has shot his a few times though. With people the way they are right now people instantly think its gun fire or some one building bombs. We are waiting more for july 4th

The hairspray stuff is relitivly quiet we did that last weekend with the 2 liter rocket and 3" PVC several times they dont mind it. The carbide is the noisy stuff.
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BowerR64
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Sat May 17, 2014 3:24 pm

I add a new cannon each week right? :D

This weeks cannon

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fccrisl
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Thu Oct 09, 2014 2:26 pm

Where can powdered carbide be purchased?
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BowerR64
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Sun Nov 02, 2014 4:34 am

Just search google, i got some from amazon called "bangsite" comes in a neat little toothpaste like tube great for storage but its a bit pricey IMO i then found a site called cheapcarbide.com and i got it by the pound.

If you build one post some pictures i cant get enough of these and love to see new designs

Its up to you but out of all the cannons ive built, the thunder mug (silver with handle) has been by far the most fun and easiest to transport and shoot. Its little, most are not scared of it at first sight and it still has a nice bang for its size. Best of all its only cost about $20. to build
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mark.f
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Sun Nov 02, 2014 7:51 am

For tennis balls people have sleeved 3" pipe inside of itself after cutting a strip lengthwise out of it... given your short barrel sizes, it shouldn't be too much of a chore (compared to building "full-size" (4' and up) barrels).

EDIT: my bad, didn't see the middle pages. :roll: Guess it's info you could use anyways...
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BowerR64
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Mon Nov 03, 2014 4:39 am

How do they fit after you sleeve the 3" and use the regular cheap tennis balls? using the 3" and the kids low bounce balls they fit nice and loose but they are about $1. a ball and after a few really pounding shots it starts to burn the fiber up on the tennis balls
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dart guy
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Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:22 pm

Doesn't carbide break the rules? I thought it was a solid propellant like gunpowder that wouldn't be allowed.... Well if it's allowed, time to get creative with arrows, and spent brass casings :)
when life gives you lemons... make root beer and leave the world wondering how you did that :D
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