How to make a potato cannon or potato bazooka
“My husband must never know of this” is the best comment I’ve had on the Bazooka video.
Whatever you call it, this is FUN. be very careful and have an adult around to make sure everything is done safely. wear safety googles and ear protection and never point this at anyone or anything.
A big thanks for William Gurstele for writing his book “Backyard Ballistics” check out his site here.
Here is a drawing of the potato cannon we made. Its based on Mr Gurstele’s plan, there are other designs on the web. I like Mr Gurstele’s book because you learn about physics and make cool stuff.
I’ve gotten a few queries about the ignitor and a few compliments as well – not often that happens. Some people have not been able to get the ignitor to spark in the tube. I started with the ignitor screws almost touching, and making sure it sparked, then I slowly backed the screws away from each other to the widest point where I had a spark.
Another viewer suggested using brass screws, which conduct electricity better. This is a good idea. Its also important that the connection from the ignitor wires to the screws is a good one. I used crimp on connectors, maybe you could solder them as well.
Other neat stuff to check out:
Totally love this! We just made our first waffles in our stove top waffle maker too!
I think it cool i shot patato far!
I’m going to make this thing. But I’m trying to figure out the range so I can choose a safe place to shoot it off. any estimates of how far yours shoots?
Here’s a clip of mine.
http://youtu.be/iPl_60CLTp8
I followed the directions almost exactly and it worked!! Be careful, it shoots really far. If you don’t shove the spud down the barrel then it doesn’t go as far. Stick a tight handful of newspaper in the tube first for smaller spuds that don’t make an airtight fit in the barrel tube. Awesome! Great fun.