Disclaimer: The content of this page if for informative and entertainment use only. The reader is not encouraged in any way shape or form to commit to the actions described in the following text. By reading past this disclaimer, the reader releases the author of this document from all responsibilities related to damage or personal injury that may be incurred as a consequence of acting upon the knowledge, information or lack thereof contained in this document.

Ok, so for the most part everyone has had some exposure to the infamous potato cannon. There is even a federal court ruling that declares the spud launcher a harmless nuisance as long as it is used in a safe manner (as long as you let the arresting officer take a few practice shots). One of the most annoying challenges of employing the basic hair spray fueled cannon is attaining the proper fuel mixture under varying conditions. Who hasn't experienced the familiar Beavis and Buttheadesque "Fluff... poot " and "plop" as a spud bounces harmlessly to the ground 10 feet in front of you on a cold winter night? Any climactic deviation from S.T.P. and you better have the crying towel handy.

The hair spray cannon is the best place to start. As loud as it is, this cannon is relatively safe as long as it is properly constructed and fired in a safe manner. The peak chamber pressure of one of these cannons has been quoted to be around 60 psi. This  is way below the 240 PSI bursting pressure of schedule 40 PVC. I'm sure that you're thinking "60 psi!...what the hell is he thinking of? I've got more pressure than that in my colon after a night of downing Coronas." Well let 'er rip baby - 60 psi x 3.14 sq in (assuming 2 in. diameter barrel) works out to be around 188 pounds of instantaneous thrust on an object that weighs a mere several ounces. We're talkin' COLON BLOW baby!

Intro:
    Basic Hair Spray Spud Cannon plan

Accessories
    Rock and Roll ain't NOISE POLLUTION
 

For the more advanced spud cannoneer, pneumatic cannons are a solid solution but are a little challenging to fabricate and require the user to lug around a compressor or some other means for charging. The trade off is well worth the effort. Ranges of over 400 yards (1/4 mile!) are consistantly acheived.

Pneumatic spasmatics:
    Grape Rifle            Grapes, baby carrots & marbles
    2 inch  Cannon        Potatos, apples, Barbie dolls
    3 inch  Cannon        Cans of Coke, playground balls, small animals etc.
 

Final word: Only the suicidal tinker around with oxy-acetalyne mixtures. Picture this in your head: Beer cans and potatos strewn about the yard in front of a double wide trailer. An old Ford pickup on cinderblocks with a dog hiding under it. An inbred moron standing on the bed of the truck with his cannon shouts "Hey y'all lookit me !" - KAWHAMM!! The deafening explosion knocks the wind out of you and the air is filled with a cloud of PVC shrapnel. Chunks of bubba come raining down through the leaves of the trees like a spring shower. OK, I'll shut up now.