Advanced combustion cannon

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.
niglch
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Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:19 pm

I made this under-over advanced combustion cannon with a friend last summer. It performs very well with an HGDT estimated muzzle velocity of over 500 ft/s with a 70g projectile. It's got quite a kick. The only drawback to the gun is its heaviness. The fuel and metering system strapped on board adds a considerable amount of weight. The gun is triggered by an electric grill igniter housed in the back handle. Sorry I don't have any pictures of the interior of the chamber. I'll upload them as soon as I get a chance.

Stats
  • *Barrel length: 72 in
    *Barrel diameter: 1.5 in
    *Chamber volume: 180 in<sup>3</sup>
    *C:B Ratio: 1.5
    *Fuel: Propane
Features
  • *4-gap spark strip
    *Breach loading barrel
    *On-board fuel meter
    *Push button trigger
    *12v chamber fan controlled by toggle switch
    *Toggle switch safety mechanism
[youtube][/youtube]
Attachments
The whole thing (with the propane tank detached -- for now)
The whole thing (with the propane tank detached -- for now)
Chamber and trigger assembly
Chamber and trigger assembly
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McCoytheGreater
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Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:39 pm

Niiiice. I'm a fan of combustion guns, not that I have a problem with pneumatic's though. You have a good looking gun, and I like the chamber vent through the front grip. As far as the heaviness goes, have you thought about using pvc for the meter pipe? That would lighten things up considerably. Or maybe use a cartridge type propane injection like Starman uses on Triple Thunder.
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Moonbogg
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Fri Mar 12, 2010 6:01 pm

Nice! Damn good aim as well.
SpudBlaster15
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Fri Mar 12, 2010 7:38 pm

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Last edited by SpudBlaster15 on Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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deathbyDWV
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Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:33 pm

Look good. It does remind me of one of sb15's launchers. Like he said, I think the front handle is a little awkward... Nice damage though...
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bighead33
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:17 pm

where did you get you parts from?
vblock
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Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:57 pm

looks pree siick dude 8) check out mine . it the one that says my huge potato gun not so getto i think i forget haha pce
VirusX
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:03 pm

Hey,

Your combustion cannon looks pretty cool and you all aim well! 8)

But I've got a qestion:

Is the inner diameter of the barrel really just 1.5 inch (3,8cm)!? Or did you mean the radius? When I look up 1.5inch on the folding rule, I can't image that any potato or apple or whatever would fit anywhere near. And your barrel looks much bigger than 1.5inch in your video.

Or do I just get something wrong?

(Sorry for my bad english!)
I'm sorry, my English is not so good but I'll try my best!
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MikeNice
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:56 pm

Love the gun dude. Looks like good power, good aim, good damage! Needs some paint though! I am always amazed at the amount of destructio a potato cannon can lay out. I am currently in the planning stages of my (which means I want to build but don't have the $$ to build) new advanced combustion. All my cannons have been PVC so they're all kinda heavy; I've learned front handle placement is key. Have you thought about a shoulder strap? Again, awesome effort dude.
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mark.f
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Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:58 pm

Can't believe I didn't reply to this. Very nice cannon.

The only suggestion I have (which is moot, now) would be to drill your electrodes under the saddle tees to hide the wiring.
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Gaderelguitarist
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Sat May 01, 2010 12:23 am

I'm going to have to now do some damage tests with my old faithful.

I like the expression on the guys face after he shoots it. Kind of a 8) "I'm the Sh*t!"

With a 6' barrel, I would have just made this thing a shoulder fire cannon. I have one with a 5' barrel and it just looks silly when I fire it like a rifle.
so many muchness
VirusX
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Sun May 02, 2010 9:42 am

VirusX wrote:Hey,

Your combustion cannon looks pretty cool and you all aim well! 8)

But I've got a qestion:

Is the inner diameter of the barrel really just 1.5 inch (3,8cm)!? Or did you mean the radius? When I look up 1.5inch on the folding rule, I can't image that any potato or apple or whatever would fit anywhere near. And your barrel looks much bigger than 1.5inch in your video.

Or do I just get something wrong?

(Sorry for my bad english!)
*push*

Does anyone know the anwser?
I'm sorry, my English is not so good but I'll try my best!
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Gaderelguitarist
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Sun May 02, 2010 10:07 am

It's diameter. You can expect thgat it'll be slightly larger as PVC pipes have the "pipe size" and then the "average size".

The average ID of 1.5" PVC pipe is 1.592"
so many muchness
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