Potato Cannon -vs- Camaro Door

[TraceZ]

My brother and I decided to test fire his new potato cannon. The target was my old drivers door. The video is self explanatory, but is over 5mb in size and may take a bit to download.

enjoy.

Hot Potato 2 -vs- Fiberglass Car Door

[alenstein]

You guys sure do have a lot of time on your hands.



Now about the cannon, seems if it can penetrate the fiber glass door it can
be lethal. Please explain the theory behind it, what propels the potato at such a high rate?

[TraceZ]

You guys sure do have a lot of time on your hands.



Now about the cannon, seems if it can penetrate the fiber glass door it can
be lethal. Please explain the theory behind it, what propels the potato at such a high rate?

We use an electric gas grill ignitor to create a spark that ignites the under arm deoderant located in the butt of the cannon. The pressure from the ignition thrusts the potato out the muzzle.

Pretty cool, huh!

As far as it being lethal, I have no idea. It was designed for launching spuds, not as a weapon. You should see it fire a spud across a field at night. It shoots a flame over 2 feet long from the end of the barrel!

[alenstein]

We use an electric gas grill ignitor to create a spark that ignites the under arm deoderant located in the butt of the cannon. The pressure from the ignition thrusts the potato out the muzzle.

Pretty cool, huh!

As far as it being lethal, I have no idea. It was designed for launching spuds, not as a weapon. You should see it fire a spud across a field at night. It shoots a flame over 2 feet long from the end of the barrel!

Wow, hehe. I am just amazed of how much power it has, did you try using a different combustible liquid?

[TraceZ]

Wow, hehe. I am just amazed of how much power it has, did you try using a different combustible liquid?

We've tried hair spray, but it leaves a sticky residue and fouls up the sparker.

I wouldnt want to try anything too combustible because the PVC pipe will burst under too much stress.

[hovoc]

ive heard, but yet to have try


that aqua net is THE best to use, not sure if it leaves the residue or not

[Joe 1320]

Glad to see stuff like this doesn't die. We did that 30 years ago, just used rubbing alcohol as a fuel. It's still funny no matter how many times you see it.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

We did it with 6 (steel) Coke cans duct taped together and lighter fluid for fuel. A traditional Zippo lit the flame. Didn't work near as good as Traces, though.

[TraceZ]

ive heard, but yet to have try


that aqua net is THE best to use, not sure if it leaves the residue or not

We started out with Aqua Net years ago. It doesnt work nearly as well as the aerosol deoderant and it leaves a really sticky residue.

[Squat13]

Propane is what I use, you can buy a small propane injector and PSI gauge from the hardware store, then just screw on one of the small blue bottels of propane and its rapid fire time, I think I can squeeze 3 off in a min if Im only a littel wreck less.

Check out the potato guns here www.spudtech.com , the guy has ever thing, phumatic (air powered), bolt action, propane injected, hella-cool spud guns.

[Squat13]

You guys sure do have a lot of time on your hands.



Now about the cannon, seems if it can penetrate the fiber glass door it can
be lethal. Please explain the theory behind it, what propels the potato at such a high rate?

We also use 1 1/4 sch 80 PVC for the barrel and drive a nail through the bottem of the barrel, this works great as a GOLF ball shooter, It will go through a fence.

[Joe 1320]

Bunch of pyro's on here.




I graduated to quick burn flash powder using a brass chamber and barrel. That's when it got a little hairy.

[Squat13]

Bunch of pyro's on here.




I graduated to quick burn flash powder using a brass chamber and barrel. That's when it got a little hairy.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?
And you call us pyro's, your the one with a 5 foot flash coming from your muzzel!

[azkkn]

just to let you guys know, and to save you from the feds, take the video down, and try and delete this post. BY definition you have created a non registered FIREARM. "any device that propels a projectile by means of explosion". not to be a jerk, but this day and age some liberal anti gun guy will send this to all the wrong people, and make such a stink about it that some one will be required to do something about it. i dont want to see my F-buds get nailed. its very trivial in the big picture, but these days, there taking any case that they can prove, and running with it. take my advice as you want to, im just giving you a heads up

[Squat13]

just to let you guys know, and to save you from the feds, take the video down, and try and delete this post. BY definition you have created a non registered FIREARM. "any device that propels a projectile by means of explosion". not to be a jerk, but this day and age some liberal anti gun guy will send this to all the wrong people, and make such a stink about it that some one will be required to do something about it. i dont want to see my F-buds get nailed. its very trivial in the big picture, but these days, there taking any case that they can prove, and running with it. take my advice as you want to, im just giving you a heads up

woow woow wooooooow
then how does this guy have a Spud luncher site that is nothing but the selling and how too of spud guns? and his site has been up forever.

And then I found this:

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Washington, DC 20226




As defined in section 921(a) (3) of Title 18, United States Code (USC) the term "firearm" means --


(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.
As defined in 26 USC subsection 5845(f) (2) the term destructive device includes any type of weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellent, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary or his delegate finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes; and (3) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device as defined in subparagraphs (1) and (2) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. The term 'destructive device' shall not include any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device; surplus ordnance sold, loaned, or given by the Secretary of the Army pursuant to the provisions of section 4684(2), 4685, or 4686 of title 10 of the USC; or any other device which the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate finds is not likely to be used as a weapon, or is an antique or is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely for sporting purposes.

It is unlawful for anyone to make or possess a destructive device which is not registered in accordance with the provisions of the National Firearms Act.

We have previously examined that certain muzzle loading devices known as "potato guns." These potato guns are constructed from PVC plastic tubing. They use hair spray or a similar aerosol substance for a propellant, and have some type of spark ignitor. We have determined that these devices, as described, are not firearms provided that they are used solely for launching potatoes for recreational purposes. However, any such devices which are used as weapons or used to launch other forms of projectiles may be firearms and destructive devices as defined.



Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Firearms Technology Branch, Room 6450

650 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20226