Difference between revisions of "What is a spudgun?"

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'''Spud guns''', '''potato cannons''', '''produce accelerators''', or '''weapons of mashed destruction''' are all recreational launching devices usually made of plumbing pipe. There are two common means to launch projectiles from a spudgun. The [[pneumatic launcher|first]] uses the energy stored in a compressed gas and the [[combustion launcher|second]], more popular method, uses the energy released by combusting fuel vapors to heat the air and cause it to expand. There is a quite rare mix of the two, a [[hybrid launcher|"hybrid"]], that combusts a pressurized fuel-air mixture. The object of these varieties is to propel projectiles in the direction of a designated (safe) target for fun. Common [[catogory:projectile|projectile]]s include: [[mandarin orange|mandarins]], [[potato]]es, [[tennis ball]]s, [[golf ball]]s,bb's (if you have a small enough barrel), in fact pretty much any spare vegetable you can ram down the tube. This makes them a particularly popular home-made class of projectile launchers because of their low cost to build: a simple static-guard powered gun costs no more than $20 in PVC and glue, less if parts can be scrounged.
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'''Spud guns''', '''potato cannons''', '''produce accelerators''', or '''weapons of mashed destruction''' are all names for recreational launching devices, usually made of common plumbing pipe.  
  
Please see the article on [[safety]].
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There are two common means to launch projectiles from a spudgun. The [[pneumatic launcher|first]] uses the energy stored in a compressed gas and the [[combustion launcher|second]], more common method, uses the energy released by combusting fuel vapors.
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Also, there exists a rare mix of pneumatic and combustion launchers, a [[hybrid launcher|"hybrid"]], that combusts a pressurized fuel-air (or fuel/oxidizer) mixture.
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The object of any of these varieties of spudguns is to propel projectiles in the direction of a designated (safe) target, for recreation and sometimes science experiments.
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Common [[catogory:projectile|projectile]]s include: [[potato]]es, (obviously), [[mandarin orange|mandarins]], [[tennis ball]]s, [[golf ball]]s, bb's, airsoft, or marbles.... in fact, pretty much any spare vegetable or commonly available object you can ram down the barrel. This is part of the beauty of spudguns.
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Some spudguns are very simple, inexpensive designs, such as the aerosol-spray-powered combustion or ball-valve and bike pump operated pneumatic. Some can get complicated and/or expensive, such as large home-made piston valved pneumatics and propane metered combustion guns. A decent potato gun can be built for as little as $15 or $20 at the local hardware store. Some people have spent thousands.
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When proper safety is practiced, spudding is no more dangerous than other common hobbies, such as model airplanes. Though as with any activity that can be dangerous, safety should always be your number one priority. So please, take the time to read our [[safety]] section.
  
 
[[category:Concepts]]
 
[[category:Concepts]]

Revision as of 07:24, 23 October 2007

Spud guns, potato cannons, produce accelerators, or weapons of mashed destruction are all names for recreational launching devices, usually made of common plumbing pipe.


There are two common means to launch projectiles from a spudgun. The first uses the energy stored in a compressed gas and the second, more common method, uses the energy released by combusting fuel vapors. Also, there exists a rare mix of pneumatic and combustion launchers, a "hybrid", that combusts a pressurized fuel-air (or fuel/oxidizer) mixture.

The object of any of these varieties of spudguns is to propel projectiles in the direction of a designated (safe) target, for recreation and sometimes science experiments.

Common projectiles include: potatoes, (obviously), mandarins, tennis balls, golf balls, bb's, airsoft, or marbles.... in fact, pretty much any spare vegetable or commonly available object you can ram down the barrel. This is part of the beauty of spudguns.


Some spudguns are very simple, inexpensive designs, such as the aerosol-spray-powered combustion or ball-valve and bike pump operated pneumatic. Some can get complicated and/or expensive, such as large home-made piston valved pneumatics and propane metered combustion guns. A decent potato gun can be built for as little as $15 or $20 at the local hardware store. Some people have spent thousands.


When proper safety is practiced, spudding is no more dangerous than other common hobbies, such as model airplanes. Though as with any activity that can be dangerous, safety should always be your number one priority. So please, take the time to read our safety section.