The Cryogenius Pneumatic Potato Cannon

Air powered potato cannon, with a piston valve design. The range at 80 psig is over 250 meters. Not a toy!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• pneumatic
• potato
• cannon
• spud
• gun
• piston
• valve

[ReevesIROC]

Does the "piston" have to be reset every launch? If so, do you think a light/medium spring would automatically reset the piston for faster reloads?

[Cryogenius]

When all is working well all you have to do is start pumping with air and the piston resets. Having said that, yes a light spring would help make the re-setting more reliable

[FeralNoctorn]

i like the DOS Doom music

[Cryogenius]

I drilled a 1" hole in the cleanout, inserted the 1/2" PVC piping and glued on an end cap inside the cleanout. The end cap also has a hole drilled. Then I put a bead of Gorilla Glue around the end cap to seal the connection.

[Cryogenius]

The Schraider valve is on the end of the 1/4" plastic tubing that conencts to the bicycle pump. There is a quick connect fitting adapter that goes to a 1/2" piece of PVC piping with a cap. I drilled a hole for the Schraider valve, and it has a tight enough fit to hold pressure. That would have been a good feature to show on the video if I had thought of it.

[plasm7]

Why wouldnt you go higher schedule 40 3inch pvc is rated to 260 psi unless you have a none schedule 40 piece you should be fine

[gizmoguyar]

Thanks.

[Cryogenius]

Sorry gizmoguyar, psig is "pounds per square inch gauge." Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 pounds per square inch.

[Cryogenius]

As it says in the video, at 80 psig the potato flies beyond visual range. I would not go higher than 80 psig without further safety precautions such as a barrier to hide behind and remote activation. For me the extra risk is not worth the thrill.

[Cryogenius]

I don't have any problem opening the valve - but then I don't go any higher than 80 psig.