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The Spudding Handbook



What is a Spudgun?

An Advanced Combustion Cannon

Main article: What is a spudgun?


Types of Spudguns

Pneumatic Launchers

A Pneumatic launcher uses the energy stored in compressed gas, most often times air that has been compressed by a bicycle pump or an air compressor. CO2 is also used semi-regularly, and compressed gases such as nitrogen and hydrogen have been used in the past. The air resides within the launcher's chamber, and is held back by a valve. When the valve is opened and the air is allowed to decompress, the ammunition is pushed in front of it down the barrel.

Combustion Launchers

Regular Combustions

A Combustion launcher gets the energy it needs to launch a projectile from the combustion of volatile fuels that are added to the chamber prior to ignition. Traditionally, combustion launchers are fueled by an aerosol product that use flammable gases for pressurization. Automotive starting fluid, hairsprays and body sprays are popular traditional fuels. Propane, butane and other pure combustible gases are preferred in more advanced guns. The combustible gases are most commonly ignited by a BBQ igniter (flint, piezo or electronic) or a stun gun. The combustion of the fuel releases energy and creates a spike in pressure that propels the ammunition.

Hybrid Launchers

Hybrid launchers are a special type of combustion launcher using a fuel/air mixture that is compressed to a pressure higher than that of the atmosphere. The name Hybrid was coined when these types of launchers were described as a mix of a pneumatic launcher and a combustion launcher, though this is a bit of a misnomer. While hybrids do utilize a pressurized chamber system, this is where the similarities with a pneumatic launcher end. The operation of a hybrid is much more closely related to that of a combustion launcher, the main difference being the use of a Burst disk in most hybrid systems. While pneumatic cannons get their power from releasing the potential energy created by compressing gases, hybrids get the energy they use for launch from the potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of the fuel/air mixture. The pressurization of a hybrid is mainly a consequence of forcing more fuel and air into a smaller chamber, and is not intended to be a method of propulsion.

Important & Related Links



Useful construction links

Launcher configuration

Computer Applications

International Potato Launching Association



Legal issues

History (A Brief History of Spud Guns)

SpudFiles forum guidelines

External links