Propane & Lever-Blowgun

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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meatballs
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Tue May 15, 2007 5:26 pm

has anyone tried using blowguns on a propane meter? i think it would be really cool to have two blowguns but it never hear about anyone doing it so there's probably some sort of safety issue i'm overlooking. I know that they often aren't rated above ninety psi, but past a regulator that is no problem. any other issues i'm not seeing? any first hand experience? any on-the-spot speculation?
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jssizzle
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Tue May 15, 2007 6:07 pm

I think that could work, but I have had a few blowguns that leak. Also, If you drop the gun or lean it against something the blowgun might open. Meters just seem sturdier and safer with ball valves.
sandman
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Tue May 15, 2007 7:11 pm

i do agree

even though they are slower they are more reliable
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demilus
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Tue May 15, 2007 7:29 pm

I usually have a little blowby on near the trigger. You could spray the trigger with soapy water to see if it leaks any. Man that would suck....pshhht...pshhht....CLICKBOOOOM!!! AHHHHHH MY FACE!!!!
sandman
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Tue May 15, 2007 7:50 pm

Image

hmm... something like this
Brooner115
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Tue May 15, 2007 9:10 pm

UH OH that guys in deep sh#@!!!!
sandman
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Tue May 15, 2007 9:16 pm

i love star trek, lol

anyback on topic, um maybe we could figure out a way it increase the blowguns performance so that it could be used for this application
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noname
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Tue May 15, 2007 11:14 pm

I've used it on mine, though I never finished the gun it was for....
It held the pressure fine, and no damage was done to anything.
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meatballs
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Wed May 16, 2007 1:51 pm

thanks thats helpful, nice pic i'l try to avoid something like that. anyone else try this?
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super spuder
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Wed May 16, 2007 2:11 pm

i might try this if i ever get around to making a combustion. It might be a good i dea to put a safety ball valve infront of first blow gun just encase the metering thing does not get turned off completely.
trying to decide on a new project, probably something small.
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Pete Zaria
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Wed May 16, 2007 2:12 pm

Any valve that can handle the pressure (after a regulator that shouldn't be a real problem anyway) and cold temperature of (potentially liquid) propane should work, so yes it could be done.

The problems I see are, as jssizzle pointed out, the risk of accidentally opening the valve(s), and the fact that it would really only be practical on a small cannon (one small enough to use 1/4" for the meter pipe...).

If you decide to try it, let us know how it ends up.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.
iknowmy3tables
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Wed May 16, 2007 2:25 pm

what about the 1/8" output, I have trouble getting a good seal on 1/8" threads these pinholes leaks keep popping out from the Teflon tape seal
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frankrede
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Wed May 16, 2007 10:11 pm

Teflon tape, or paste will work.
Current project: Afghanistan deployment
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