Is this very safe?

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.

How dangerous is this?

Look's safe to me (as long as used correctly)
0
No votes
ehhh, should be ok?
2
12%
RUN!
15
88%
 
Total votes: 17
Paradox
Recruit
Recruit
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:57 pm

Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:48 am

Hey guys new to the site here... i built my first spud gun last summer and i have had a lot of fun with it! i would like to build a new one sometime,
especially after all the new ideas i have from everyone here!

I have made a propane/oxy spudgun... i am just using PVC... now people have told me... and am starting to believe that it is more dangerous than i had originally planned... now i don't think that i use the optimal mixture of propane and oxygen, but still will make one heck of a boom. So i am
wondering how dangerous you think think this is on a scale of 1 - 10. I have not had any problems or any reasons to think it is unsafe... nothing has broken or shown weakness.. but i could understand.

And by no means is this a PRETTY spud gun... trust me i know lol, and i went a little tape happy, but it still shoots stuff pretty darn fast for sure, ha ha.



Image
Image
Image


and here are 2 video's i made using it.


User avatar
Insomniac
Sergeant 3
Sergeant 3
Posts: 1297
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 3:47 pm
Location: Australia

Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:02 am

Umm.. that thing scares me :shock: If you were to get the right amount of oxy and propane, well, I doubt it would hold up. Especially since you have DWV (not made for pressure, eg drainage pipe) fittings on there. Stop using it with oxygen, the air and propane mix should be quite powerful enough. If you really want an oxy/propane gun, make it a lot smaller, and make it out of metal.
I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.
Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before.

Add me on msn!!! insomniac-55@hotmail.com
User avatar
PCGUY
Owner
Owner
United States of America
Posts: 1434
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 10:54 pm
Location: Illinois
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 26 times
Contact:

Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:28 am

I have to chime in on this one.

RUN.

You have built something that is FAR too dangerous to even think of operating. STOP using the oxygen!

I'm glad your alive.
Yes, I am the guy that owns & operates SpudFiles (along with our extremely helpful moderators).
User avatar
frankrede
Sergeant Major 2
Sergeant Major 2
Posts: 3220
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 9:47 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 1 time

Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:32 am

Nice pipebomb!
Current project: Afghanistan deployment
Paradox
Recruit
Recruit
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:57 pm

Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:46 am

lol thanks for your input- i think i am going to have to put this one to rest while i'm still ahead! ha ha.
User avatar
Carlman
Staff Sergeant 2
Staff Sergeant 2
Posts: 1618
Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2007 1:18 am
Location: Western Australia
Been thanked: 2 times

Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:16 am

your health insurance must cost a pretty penny aye?!
Image
Aussie spudders unite!!
User avatar
marpat
Private 4
Private 4
Posts: 75
Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:31 pm

Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:43 am

i think all the electrical tape scared me away at firsyt because it was so ugly and then i saw the DWV bell reducer and i actually felt an instinct to make myself as small of a target as possible
NOT SAFE!
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

Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:31 am

Man that's one frankenstein of a spud gun... :wink: If you are extremely careful with your oxygen use it could be ok, but, I don't see enough fail safe systems on there to keep you from over loading a fuel/oxy charge.

Delete the oxygen, add an air vent and a fan and it should be OK.
User avatar
psycix
Sergeant Major 4
Sergeant Major 4
Posts: 3684
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:12 am
Location: The Netherlands

Donating Members

Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:34 pm

Combustions using DWV fittings are generally accepted.
Oxygen enriched mixtures in SCH80 or thicker PVC, using remote ignition, are somewhat OK.

Oxygen enriched mixtures in PVC with DWV is a big no-no.
11 points for dangerous on the scale from 1 to 10.

Solutions (pick one):
-No oxygen
-Use metal instead of PVC
Till the day I'm dieing, I'll keep them spuddies flying, 'cause I can!

Spudfiles steam group, join!
nibbler125
Private 4
Private 4
Posts: 80
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:42 am

Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:07 pm

it needs to be retired and don't use oxygen or else you will eventually have a pipebomb. i like the pvc design but follow the one big rule don't USE TAPE ON POTATO GUNS. use a hoseclamp to hold down the propane bottle. the oxygen is just asking for trouble. and use a wooden block to hold the combustion chamber and barrel and glue them.
User avatar
mark.f
Sergeant Major 4
Sergeant Major 4
Eritrea
Posts: 3628
Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 11:18 am
Location: The Big Steezy
Has thanked: 52 times
Been thanked: 53 times
Contact:

Donating Members

Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:22 pm

I just say remove the oxygen input and add a normal air vent. No need to completely retire it.
User avatar
rp181
Sergeant
Sergeant
Posts: 1090
Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:47 pm
Contact:

Sun Sep 14, 2008 7:44 pm

you should just use larger dia PVC or hose clamps to hold the tanks.
User avatar
Mr.Sandman
Corporal 3
Corporal 3
Posts: 762
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:10 am
Contact:

Donating Members

Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:27 pm

can i be included in your will? thats a bad idea esey you should run or as we mexicans like to say: aye dios mio corre senor corre!
Yeah, it's that important.
User avatar
Not_Again
Private
Private
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:29 am

Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:57 pm

Wow, impressive design.

As to your question...

"That's a big NO on Jimmy..."
User avatar
CasinoVanart
Specialist 2
Specialist 2
Posts: 281
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:10 am

Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:25 pm

You so could have entered the ghetto contest that was here recently, you would have been in with a big chance!! :P

I would not really recommend this but if you want to keep using the oxy make a remote (really remote) ignition for it and keep well back from it when you fire. Oh yeah i didn't see any on your cannon but remember that oxy and oil/grease don't mix. :wink:
Post Reply