Vol. 03: The Night Lighter 36

Launch potato projectiles 200+ yards with this stun-gun triggered, high-powered potato cannon with see-thru action. (Good thing potatoes are biodegradable.)

By William Gurstelle

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Materials list

36-inch length of 2-inch diameter transparent schedule 40 PVC pipe (1)

14-inch length of 3-inch transparent schedule 40 PVC pipe (1)

Used mainly in the food- processing industry, transparent PVC is available from industrial plastic suppliers such as Harrington Plastics or Ryan Herco. Check your local business listings. You can also order it from McMaster-Carr. Transparent PVC is generally expensive, but you might find reduced-price remnants at plastics suppliers or food-processing companies.

Large potatoes

3- to 2-inch diameter PVC reducing fitting socket: a.k.a. reducer coupling or bell reducer (1)

3-inch PVC female adapter (1)

3-inch PVC end plug (1): Use Schedule 40 grade for all PVC fittings. Source from large home or hardware stores or plastics suppliers.

PVC primer and cement: Available wherever PVC is sold.

Lexel sealant or other clear latex or silicone sealant

15/64-inch drill bit

15-inch long hose clamps (2)

1/4-inch bolts: 2 inches long, full threaded (2)

Stun gun, 100,000 volt output or better (1): Available from suppliers on the internet. I bought mine from Cabelas for less than $20.

Large crimp-on spade connectors (2)

Sanding drum for drill

1?4-inch hex nuts (4)

Crimp-on butt connectors (2)

2-foot length of insulated 12-gauge or thicker wire (1)

Small wire nuts (2)

Aerosol spray containing hydrocarbons: I used Right Guard Unscented.

Electrical tape

4-foot long/1-inch diameter wooden dowel, or broom handle (1)

Other Tools

Hacksaw
Drill
Screwdriver
Pliers
Wire strippers or knife
Wrench for 1/4-inch bolt

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Showing messages 1 through 12 of 12.

Stun Gun replacement?
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I live in Massachusetts, one of the few states that cabelas will not ship stun guns to. And the only other state I could have an order shipped to is New York (also on the no ship list).

Does anyone know if I could use something other than a stun gun to provide the spark here? I've seen some plans that call for a gas grill lighter. Is there any reason that these plans call for something with a '100,000 volt output or better'?

Posted by swillis on July 25, 2005 at 11:27:26 Pacific Time

Better Ammo
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I've found that cheap foam balls (get them by the bag at Toys-R-Us) soaked in water make awesome spud-gun ammo.

They're easy to load, and compress and seal to the barrel during launch, so all you hear is a dull "thomp" -- most of the energy goes into launching the projectile. And they're reusable (assuming you can find the buggers).

Plus, if you accidentally hit something (or someone), they won't cause (much) damage. Thoughtful, when you consider you might be bombarding something 2 subdivisions over...
Posted by MadOverlord on July 26, 2005 at 22:11:26 Pacific Time

miss fire
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I had so much fun making this spud gun. Instead of hose claps I used velcro to attach the stungun to the cannon. I thought it made a nice touch

When it can to firing time, I used the soft foam balls instead of the potato because I live in the suburbs and didn't want to kill any of my neighbors (I liked them for the most part). All the kids on the block gathered around, and Dad was feeling like Rambo, but instead of going the advertised 2,000 yards mine
only shot 200 inches, or it never fired at all. Needless to say the kids where not impressed.

What did I do wrong!? I followed the instructions to a tee. The only difference that I could think of is that
I used scented rightguard instead of unscented.
Posted by marcel.grenier on August 25, 2005 at 20:55:45 Pacific Time

clear pvc sources
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I'd like to make one, but spending $100 for each piece of PVC from mcmaster-carr (8' piece) makes it a little more expensive. does anyone know where to get just short pieces?

Great tip on the BBQ igniter!
Posted by andyknas on October 03, 2005 at 18:32:11 Pacific Time

t-shirts?
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can I shoot a t-shirt with one of these, or do I need to go with a compressed air shooter?
Posted by andyknas on October 03, 2005 at 18:36:18 Pacific Time

schedule 40 transparent pvc pipe
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i was looking to make this project but the clear pvc pipe is expensive and can only be ordered in lengths of 8 or 10 feet. is anyone interested in buying the extra pipe that i will not use?

thanks

Posted by botoboss on October 11, 2005 at 13:44:33 Pacific Time

Have xtra clear PVC (SF bAY arEa)
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Hi Guys,

I took the plunge and bought the whole 9 yards (OK, 10ft) of clear schdule 40 PVC, both 3' and 2'.

It is available for cost to other Make fans in the SF Bay area.

If you want it, post here, and we'll figure out some way to hook up.

Cheers,

secrat

Posted by secrat on November 03, 2005 at 07:49:32 Pacific Time

Looking for clear pvc
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I'm going to make one of these for a christmas gift. Anybody have leftover transparent pvc that I could purchase? If not, anyone else interested in going in on some?
Posted by 501Vertigo on November 26, 2005 at 08:41:04 Pacific Time

I have PVC for sale
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Hello All,

I purchased Schedule 80 Transparent PVC from McMaster-Carr for this project -- but I have a lot left over:

Four feet of the 2inch diameter

five feet of the 3inch diameter

$125 for it all -- this is only covering my costs; no mark up at all.

Ideally, I would like to sell this to someone in the Seattle area. You pick up, cash only please.

Please email if interested
potatogunannie@yahoo.com
Posted by ElizabethP on December 16, 2005 at 10:19:10 Pacific Time

Need Help
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Hye guys, for some reason i dont know why, but i cant get the last three pages on the directions. what do i do after i put the PVC pipes together? is there a way i can get the last directions?
Posted by djbj353 on April 18, 2006 at 17:22:01 Pacific Time

Anybody still out there?
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I just got Make first yer collection and am looking for some clear PVC. Anybody got some to sell?

thanks
~eriC
Posted by kid_entropy on February 07, 2007 at 19:09:46 Pacific Time

schedule 80 transparent pvc pipe
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I have planning to buy 80 transparent pipe for complete this project as soon. But it was too much expensive than before as i have purchased. Any body interested to sell their 80 transparent pipe to me??
Harley Brake Pads
Posted by chilsonrolen on December 14, 2011 at 20:39:16 Pacific Time

Showing messages 1 through 12 of 12.

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