PVC mini to be mounted on a rifle

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.
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Jakal444
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Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:50 pm

This is basically version 1.5 of my mini. In the end I would like to increase the length of the barrel and mount it onto a wooden frame in the shape of an an old hunting rifle, it will fire plastic BBs with a bit of cotton wool as wadding, and I will fashion a scope for it (just for looks!). As you can see its all ready to be mounted since I measured the wire length with my design for the frame before cutting.

However, it just seems extremely under-powered right now, even with the very short barrel ( modified pen tube). I decided to post it before I started work on the frame, so that if it is unsalvagable I won't be wasting any more time on it. It uses adidas deodorant as fuel, cotton wrapped BBs as ammo and a black peizo ignitor (with the copper tube) as a source of ignition. Also it does not have a very high success rate when it comes to firing, but thats probably just me putting in too much fuel.

Any ideas?
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Screws drilled into PVC with wires to igniton source provide the spark
Screws drilled into PVC with wires to igniton source provide the spark
This is where the fuel is loaded
This is where the fuel is loaded
Peizo igniter can be swapped very easily
Peizo igniter can be swapped very easily
Full kit
Full kit
cardinals08
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Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:21 pm

maybe the barrel is too short? I have a coke bottle gun and the barrel is only as long as the bottle and it sucks

Edit:ya, didnt think of that(different fuel as mentioned below) try using the butane from the lighter you got the piezo out of (although it might take alot of butane)
Last edited by cardinals08 on Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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besby11
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Sun Jan 29, 2006 4:29 pm

try a drifferent fule
i bui1d p0t@t0 (@ /\/ 0 /\/$ 1m su(h t3h leet h@x0r
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Jakal444
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Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:36 pm

I did try the butane however it is even harder to get the right amount and when I did the flame wasnt even visible but I will definately try again now that you mention it.

Also is it possible that my spark is not in a good position for ignition?
plumpthumb
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Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:43 pm

I believe your barrel is definitely too short as has already been said. I would
make it one and a half times your chamber or longer. This is not based on
any formula just what I have found to work ---in my humble opinion. I have a
1/2" barrel with 1 1/2" chamber mini with those figures; it uses -uh- body
fragrance spray (I don't want to hear any snickers please) and spuds. I can
get 100' to 150' with this combo. It's great for varmint chasing and just plain fun. I don't see any fault with the placement of your spark but I do agree you
don't need much fuel; err on the side of too little rather than too much. Take
this from a 63 year old who keeps spudding away. BTW-I love this forum and the many fresh ideas I encounter-one is never too old to learn new things!
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