Tater Tosser V.1

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.
BlackWater18
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:31 am

This is my third Combustion cannon that I have built. It is by far the best cannon I have built.

Cannon, chamber and barrel apart.
Image

Chamber Dimensions:
Diameter-3in
Length-18in
Ball Valve-1in
Chamber Assembly
Image

Barrel Dimensions: ( Interchangeable barrels, Only 1 barrel at this time though.)
Length-42in
Diameter-1.5in

Ignition: BBQ Igniter - $13 Home Depot

Chamber Fan ( Don't Know the Size, but it works nicely)
Black Box seen is the switch box for the fan. The Fan is run off a 9v battery.

Ammo:
(No potatos are used in this cannon even though the name says "Tater Tosser".)
-D Cell Batterys
-C Cell Batterys
-Marbles Packed into Tinfoil that are then Duct Taped to ensure a solid seal
-Ball Bearings, same method as above
Working on Clay and other Metal projectiles

Disclaimer: I know a lot of the parts are DWV. I didn't realize it till I had most of it together, but then I realized my other cannons are the same and I have had them for years. But the chamber pipe is NSF-pw so I know that is stable. So I'm a little weary but I have shot it several times and am fairly confident that it will hold together. I also know that my c:b ratio is terrible but I don't really mind it. It shoots too far as is. And the priming is fairly bad but it will be painted over so that will change.

I will add some damage pics tomorrow when I get around to it.

Thanks, have a nice night.

-BlackWater18

Thanks for the tip
Last edited by BlackWater18 on Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.
bluerussetboy
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:32 am

When you try to include an image in your post you must use image tags like the example below.

Code: Select all

[img]http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8146/fullcannonzn0.jpg[/img]
It should produce results like below.

Image

bell rings in distance

Ok kids, Forum 101 is over for today. Tomorrow's exam will be on Forum Macros and Hotlinking.
Killjoy
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:53 pm

Looks good, I like the barrel set up.
Stanford Class of 2012

"In the end our society will be defined not only by what we create, but what we refuse to destroy"- John Sawhill
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STHORNE
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:32 pm

nice job, i'm working on a similar project (spud bazooka)

but you say this is your 3rd cannon? do you have topics from your 2 previous cannons that i can see?

--sthorne
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mega_swordman
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:40 pm

Looks good, excluding the wires. Might want to clean up the wiring, or just tape them to the side of the chamber.
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." George S. Patton
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STHORNE
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:50 pm

mega_swordman:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Might want to clean up the wiring, or just tape them to the side of the chamber.

Excellent idea! lol. I cant tell you how many times i have accidentally hooked a loose wire on something and it come in contact with my skin (using stun gun ignition)....OUCH!!

or even better would be to cut a plastic straw in half length wise, then place the wires inside them. then put a layer of electrical tape around it to keep the straw shut.

and if your planning on using stun gun ignition....put rubber caps on all exposed areas!!! lol. dont wanna end up like me with like 50 holes in my arms.

--sthorne
bluerussetboy
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Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:45 pm

If you start looking around the forum you'll see that DWV isn't frowned upon in the combustion cannons.
Definitely get your electrical connections covered up. The occasional BBQ spark on the arm still is annoying, especially if you let a friend fire your cannon. They do tend to cry and scream :wink:
BlackWater18
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Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:25 pm

Yea thanks guys.

@Sthorne - I haven't put my others up because they are crap. They shoot great but look terrible.


Yea the wiring is a little messy, but my buddy is getting me some of the tubing used to protect wires under the hoods of cars. thats what I'm going to cover it all up with.

And you do have a point, the shock you get from the igniter tends to be uncomfortable.
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STHORNE
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Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:13 pm

oh, nice idea....

lol, i cant stress enough how important it is to cover all exposed areas if you dont wanna get zapped.

the wiring isn't too messy, just needs to be tighter to the camber and covered, but otherwise, the cannon is all good :lol:
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