You need a 3 in (7. 6 cm) wide PVC pipe that’s 14 inches (36 cm) long and a 1. 5 in (3. 8 cm) PVC pipe that is 4 feet (1. 2 m) long. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/b/b8/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet1-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/b/b8/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet1-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Only use schedule 40-80 PVC pipe. Schedule refers to the thickness of the pipe’s walls. Pipe thinner than schedule 40 will be unsafe and could burst under high pressure. [2] X Research source {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/c/c8/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet2-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet2-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/c/c8/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet2-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet2-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} This build will create a potato gun that fires 1. 5 in (3. 8 cm) baby potatoes. If you want to craft a huge potato cannon that fires russets and Yukon golds, go up at 1–1. 5 in (2. 5–3. 8 cm) for each PVC pipe you use (i. e. use a 3 in (7. 6 cm) barrel instead of a 1. 5 in (3. 8 cm) barrel). {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/f/fc/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet3-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet3-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/f/fc/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet3-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-1Bullet3-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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3 in (7. 6 cm) wide PVC marked at least 14 inches (36 cm) in length. This will be your ignition chamber. 1. 5 in (3. 8 cm) wide PVC marked at least 4 feet (1. 2 m) in length. This is going to be the barrel.
If you don’t have a hacksaw, you can use a PVC pipe cutter, handsaw, or miter saw. If you don’t have sandpaper, you can clean up the burrs at the cut edges using a utility knife.
When you glue the PVC pieces together, hold them together firmly for at least 60 seconds so the glue bonds. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/0/01/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/0/01/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/v4-728px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Twist each glue joint a quarter-turn as you are pushing it together. This will encourage a better seal. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/6/69/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet2-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet2-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/6/69/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet2-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-5Bullet2-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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<br />\n</p></div>"} Whenever you apply PVC glue or cement, use a clean towel to wipe away any excess glue. The section you’re assembling will be the very back of the launcher.
Just to clarify, this is the end that’s opposite to the end you just plugged up.
You should feel the end of the reducer pressing against the coupler.
This might look kind of silly since the barrel is 4 ft (1. 2 m) long. You need a really long barrel to maximize the velocity of your spuds, though!
You can keep working and add the spark generator or ignition in 2-3 hours, just don’t fire the gun right away.
You can buy a spark generator or BBQ ignition online or at a local hardware store. Most generators may have two prongs, or a single double-pronged extension. Many generators require spark-emitting prongs to be within 2⁄5 inch (1. 0 cm) of each other. Alternative: If you don’t want to mess around with an electrical switch, drill a hole in the chamber big enough for a long lighter. You can manually light each shot this way if you prefer.
Do not use duct tape. Duct tape is conductive and may catch on fire. Only use electrical tape for this. You can use electrical putty instead of electrical tape if you prefer. Connect positive leads (+) to positive terminals on the generator and negative leads ( - ) to the negative terminals if they aren’t already pre-wired. Once the leads and terminals are attached, prevent accidental shocks by covering any bare wiring or components with electrical tape. Check your spark generator by unscrewing the PVC plug from the female adapter. While looking inside the combustion chamber, press the generator trigger several times. If you see a spark, it works.
Where you put the switch should be informed by how you plan on holding the potato gun. Most users either: Mount the gun on their dominant shoulder to make aiming easier. Hold the gun against their hip to minimize kickback. Take a knee and brace the gun against the ground or their knee.
If you keep dropping potatoes into the chamber, drive a small screw into the base of the barrel. This will keep potatoes from falling into the chamber. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/f/f7/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-13Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-13Bullet1-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/f/f7/Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-13Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Make-a-Potato-Gun-Step-13Bullet1-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">
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Too much propellant is as bad as not enough. If there’s not enough oxygen, ignition will not occur. Use trial and error to determine how much propellant is right for you.
Always operate your potato launcher with caution. Improper or reckless usage could cause harm or property damage. You can seriously maim or injure someone with your potato gun. It’s just as dangerous as a real weapon, so don’t treat it like a toy. [17] X Research source