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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?

An Advanced Combustion Cannon

In short, a spudgun is a general term used to describe home-made recreational launching devices. The name is a little misleading, because in fact, many launchers will never launch a potato, but it's a name that's stuck.

They also go by several other names, commonly also called spud/potato/produce - guns/zookas/huckers/launchers/cannons. A lot of people commonly just call them "Launchers" or "Cannons".

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.