Bolt-Action Spud Gun

Computers & Mobile Craft & Design Fun & Games Science
Bolt-Action Spud Gun

YouTube player

Jeremy Cook advances the potato cannon arms race from muzzle- to breech-loading eras with this .602 caliber pneumatic spud gun prototype that fires from a high-pressure gas reservoir instead of via the familiar fuel-ignition system. He writes:

The actual sliding bolt mechanism was made from a piece of Delrin, which is a type of plastic with a very high resistance to abrasion and fairly low friction. It was also what was available to me at the time. There is a hole down the middle of it which allows air to pass through when fired. One end is tapped for 1/4 inch NPT to allow a 1/4 inch air fitting to be screwed in. The other end is cut just smaller than the inside diameter of the 1/2 inch pipe that it will be putting air into. To keep air from escaping when fired, a slot is cut for an o-ring to provide for a tight seal. Additionally, a 1/4 – 20 hole is tapped through one side to screw the [operating handle] into.

Jeremy is rigorously documenting the build on his blog. [via Hack a Day]

5 thoughts on “Bolt-Action Spud Gun

  1. Tim Harris says:

    http://www.pukindogspaintball.com/cannons/BECC.htm
    is one of a hundred examples of this already being done.

  2. Anonymous says:

    The SP9004 being the example I like best (all aluminum, no need to pre-prep projectiles and a letter from the ATF).

    http://www.spudtech.com/detail.asp?id=51

  3. Anonymous says:

    Hi webmaster, commenters and everybody else !!! The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!b Keep ’em coming… you all do such a great job at such Concepts… can’t tell you how much I, for one appreciate all you do!http://xuhanlan33.blog.com/wp-admin/edit.php

  4. hex screws says:

    Hi,

    Thanks guys for giving information about Jeremy Cook advances the potato cannon arms race from muzzle- to breech-loading eras.

    Its really nice post guys.

  5. POT00000000 CANNON - BotZone says:

    […] components above. If you require any more information or would like a guide to this project visit: https://makezine.com/2011/04/11/bolt-action-spud-gun/  Like Projects, Raspberry Pi POT00000000 […]

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

View more articles by Sean Michael Ragan

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK