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Introduction

    Combustion powered spud guns are often the guns of choice for beginners.  They are very easy to build but often time they aren't as easy to fire.  An alternative to combustion powered potato guns is air power ones.  Air powered guns use compressed air confined in a chamber by means of a value.  The air is released at a high speed by means of a valve.  There are two types of valves that are commonly used.  The kind that I use is a ball-valve.  The other kind that people use is an automatic sprinkler valve (this valve uses a solenoid, when power is supplied the solenoid opens the valve).
    Without a doubt air powered cannons are much more reliable than combustion powered guns.  They are guaranteed to fire every time, and it is much easier to regulate how much power a shot will have.  Often it is also easier to refuel air powered guns after every shoot, but this depends on you compressed air source.

Parts

  • 2 feet of 2 inch dia. PVC pressure rated pipe.
  • 4 foot of 1 1/2 inch dia. PVC pressure rated pipe.
  • 1 1/2 inch PVC ball-valve
  • slip to threaded 1 1/2 inch dia. male fitting
  • slip to threaded 1 1/2 inch dia. female fitting
  • 2 inch to 1 1/2 inch reducer
  • 2 inch slip to slip fitting
  • tire valve stem
  • 2 inch slip end cap
  • PVC cement
  • plenty of spuds
  • some type of air compressor or hand pump
    		•

    Assembly Instructions

    barrel

     

    1.  Take the 2 inch end cap and drill a hole so that you will just be able to stick the valve stem in to it.  (Note: the valve stem has to fit very very snugly otherwise air will leak out).  So you are better off starting out with a smaller hole than you think it should be and you will always be able to make it larger later.

    2.  Pull the valve stem though the end cap so that the fill end is on the outside of the end cap.

    3.  Glue the end cap on the end of the 2 foot section of pipe.  Make sure not get any glue on the valve stem.

    4.  Glue that 2 inch slip to slip fitting to the other end of the of the 2 inch pipe.

    5.  Glue the reducer into the other side of the slip to slip

    6.  Cut a 3 inch section of the 1 1/2 pipe and glue this into the reducer.

    7.  Now glue the ball valve on the end of that section of pipe.

    8.  Cut another 3 inch section of the 1 1/2 pipe off and glue it into the other end of the ball valve.

    9.  Take the slip to threaded 1 1/2 inch inch female fitting and glue it on the end of the pipe.

    10.  Finally take the remaining amount of 1 1/2 inch pipe and glue the slip to threaded 1 1/2 inch male fitting to one end of it.

    11.  All you have to do is screw the barrel on to the chamber and your good to go.  (Warning: Don't forget to let the glue dry sufficiently)
    Send questions or comments to me at: micahshamash@yahoo.com.