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| − | + | There are many different names for spudguns. They are called potato cannons, spud launchers, potato guns, spud cannons, and a host of others. Whatever you decide to call it, all of the aforementioned describe the same type of device: a device used to accelerate a potato down the barrel, and shoot it some distance. While it may offend some purists, the humble little potato is quickly losing favor to other ammunitions such as golf balls, tennis balls, and other cheap, uniform projectiles. | |
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==Types of Spudgun== | ==Types of Spudgun== | ||
Revision as of 05:34, 31 May 2008
Contents
The Spudding Handbook
Provided by the users of SpudFiles
This Spudwiki is here for you to learn about the spudgun hobby. All of this is totally free so be happy and get on to registering and posting!
-PCGUY (Kyle), maker of SpudFiles
What you can learn here
Here you can learn all about:
- What a spudgun is and how it works.
- The different types of spudgun.
- How to use and construct your spudgun well - safely and reliably.
- How to build each type of spudgun, and which might be best for you.
- The right materials to use.
- The basic rules of shooting, loading and caring for your launcher.
- How to make basic spudding accessories like breech loaders, and how to fit pressure gauges.
- What types of fuel to use for your combustion spudgun, as well as the types of ignition.
- What valves you can use for your pneumatics.
- There is advice on good and bad types of projectiles for you to use
- How legal your cannon is.
- And a lot more besides.
Above all you will be able to find instructions on how to build things that you will love for years to come.
What is a spudgun?
Main article: What is a spudgun?
There are many different names for spudguns. They are called potato cannons, spud launchers, potato guns, spud cannons, and a host of others. Whatever you decide to call it, all of the aforementioned describe the same type of device: a device used to accelerate a potato down the barrel, and shoot it some distance. While it may offend some purists, the humble little potato is quickly losing favor to other ammunitions such as golf balls, tennis balls, and other cheap, uniform projectiles.
Types of Spudgun
Pneumatic Launchers
Pneumatic launchers use the energy stored in compressed gas, most often times air that has been compressed by a bicycle pump or an air compressor. CO2 is also used semi-regularly, and compressed gases such as nitrogen and hydrogen have been used in the past. The air resides within the launcher's chamber, and is held back by a valve. When the valve is opened and the air is allowed to decompress, the ammunition is pushed in front of it down the barrel.
Combustion Launchers
Combustion launchers get the energy they need to launch a projectile from the combustion of volatile gases that are added to the chamber just prior to ignition. Commonly and more traditionally combustion launchers are fueled by an aerosol product that uses flammable gases for pressurization. Starting fluid and body sprays are popular choices for fuel. The fumes are most commonly ignited by a BBQ igniter or a stun gun. The combustion of the fuel releases energy and creates a spike in pressure that propels the ammunition.
Important & Related Links
International Potato Launching Association
History (A Brief History of Spud Guns)
External links
- Wikipedia's page on spudguns
- Air Cannon Barrel Length Numerical Analysis
- Gas Gun Design Tool, simulation program for pneumatic guns
- ATF Correspondence concerning spud gun legality
- SpudFiles Forum (aka The Spud Cannon Database)
- Great source of spudgun information
- BCARMS - Spud Cannon Parts, Accessories, Kits and Launchers
