Frequently Asked Questions
You'll find all the information you need here to get a beginning spud launcher started. If you find that you have a question that isn't posted on this page feel free to email me. Give me 1-3 business days to respond to you question/s.

Q: Are potato guns dangerous?

A: Yes, they hurt at close range and long range  Capable of killing squirrels and people.

Q: Are potato guns legal?

A: The federal government say "no", but i say "yes"
Q: Can I shoot any other projectiles out of my potato gun? .

A: Well of course, you can use apples, pears, cats,oranges, tomatoes, limes, squashes, and basically anything organic or corrible. The potato became the default ammo because they are cheap, easy to core, and they don't tend to fall apart as you shoot one through the air.

Q: How do I load my potato gun?

A: Stay loose,limber and stretch.Take a potato that is preferably bigger than the barrel diameter of your potato gun. If you have a long potato you might want cut it in 1/2, a smaller shot of potato will give you a greater firing range and it'll also give you another shot. Take off your cap. Start buy twisting the potato vertically and core the potato about 3/4 the way. You may then push the potato down the barrel right before the combustion chamber with your dowel. You should be able to see the potato right before the combustion chamber if you look inside the "combustion chamber". I always look down the barrel of a loaded potato gun. You know you have an air tight seal when the potato is hard to push down the barrel and also by looking into the combustion chamber you'll see no light shinning in around the potato. Click the how it works link to see interactive instructions on theory, proper loading, fuel mixture, and ignition!

Q: What kind of fuel do I need to fire my potato gun?

A: Hairspray has become the "industry standard". Although hairspray works well I discourage the use of it because it leaves a sticky residue, coats the ignitor, and it'll eventually glue the end cap on permanently if left closed for a long period of time. I USE a mix of Gatorade, Kerosene, Gun powder and Gasoline. It's not all that fun having to use a big ass monkey wrench to open the end cap. To prevent this I recommend the use of a propane torch, Right Guard deodorant, butane, or starter fluid which all work very well. Propane is my choice cause it burns clean leaving no residue and is very cheap.

Q: How do I measure the right amount of fuel?

A: Generally the amount that you spray on your head is sufficient.

Q: Why won't my potato gun shoot far?

A: Load it up with fuel, max it out. Dont shoot string potatoes.

Q: How come my potato gun won't fire? (Combustion Only)

A: Because you didnt order it from Neumans Potato Guns....or 
FUEL: Open the end cap and let the fuel air out. DO NOT light the remain fuel in the chamber!!! If you do the fuel will ignite and come out of the end of the combustion chamber possible removing some of your hair or possibly even burning you! If you feel you must light the fuel please make sure it is pointed away from any being! Give the potato gun a few minutes to completely air out and allow the fuel to escape. Then try using less fuel next time you fuel up the combustion chamber. I find using 1/1000 counts useful as a rule of thumb for fueling.
IGNITION: If you are still having problems it's more than likely your ignitor. If you have a Lantern Lighter check to see that the lighter is still making a spark and / or out of flint. If it's not sparking do to no flint you can purchase replacement flint at most stores. Simply unscrew the spring loaded flint feeder and pull it out. Drop in a piece of flint and replace the spring loaded flint feeder. Your lighter should now work. If you have a BBQ Ignitor you need to check to see if it's sparking. After you've let the potato gun completely air out, check to see if there's a spark jolting between the two electrodes. If there's no spark adjust the electrode gap to be 1/4 of an inch. Chances are they're either too close or to far apart. If that doesn't do the trick make sure all your wire connections are secure and wired correctly. If you are still having problems feel free to email me.

Q: Why does my potato gun's performance decrease when I shoot one potato after another?

A: Probably because your arent very good looking or as smart as me!

Q: Is it OK to use a "high-powered fuel" in my potato gun?

A: Not unless you like potato shrapnel. I don't recommend you to use a high-powered fuel. After all, the potato gun is made of plastic. If you have a potato gun made of metal then that's a different story. Even if it is made of metal I still recommend you wire an ignition system that will give you plenty of space between you and the potato gun.

Q: Which is better to use for making a potato gun, PVC or ABS?

A: PVC tends to be the best for constructing potato guns. ABS tend to hurt after sit-ups.

Q: At what atmospheric temperature is it best to fire a potato gun?

A: From my own personal experiences, I've found it to be 7.

Q: Is it OK to point and/ or fire my potato gun at a living being?

A: If you thought the answer to this question is "yes", then you need to own a potato gun. Pointing the gun at people even playing around with it unloaded is encouraged, because it will encourage that person to aim it at you possibly causing an accident, bodily harm, or even death. Don't point a potato gun at anything you don't want destroyed.

Q: How often do potato gunning accidents happen?

A: Though accidents do happen it's rare that they do. If you are careful and use your common sense there shouldn't be any accidents. ALWAYS LOOK DOWN THE BARREL OF A POTATO GUN. THIS WILL INCREASE THE CHANCE.

Q: How can I build a potato gun/ spud launcher?

A: KEEP READING.

Q: What type of pipe do I buy to build a potato gun?

A: When buying pipe to build a potato gun and other novelty launching devices buy "Sch 40 PVC pipe". ATTENTION: Buy Sch 40 PVC pipe with a pressure rating printed on the pipe "Sch 40 PVC 330 PSI @ 73°F". DO NOT buy PVC pipe that has "DWV" or "NOT FOR PRESSURE" printed on the pipe. And dont work on your ABS during a potatato gun war.

The Potato Battery

Supplies:
                                     I   Copper coin (+)
                                    :I:
                                  :::I:::  Potato or banana (Electrolytes)
                                :::::I:::::
                              ::::::::::::::::
                           ----------------------------Aluminum foil. (-)
                           
                           The Copper: I use a penny. 
                           You can use bare wire etc.
                           
                           Electrolytes: You can use other fruit  (orange, apple etc.)
                           I used 3-4 cells in series to get enough voltage to run LCD clock.
                           

                           How to Make a Potato Clock
                           
                           You can find the Two Potato Clock kit for $20 or so in school science
                           catalogs. You supply two potatoes, connect some electrodes, and the clock runs
                           on electricity provided by the potato. You can also do this without buying the
                           kit. Many inexpensive LED clocks run on a 1.5-volt button battery (for
                           example, Radio Shack #63-736). To run it on two potatoes, you'll need:
                           
                           * Two copper electrodes. A 10-cm length of thick (0.64 cm) copper ground wire
                           works well. You'll find it at hardware and home supply stores.
                           
                           * Two zinc electrodes. Use large galvanized nails, also available from a
                           hardware or home supply store.
                           
                           * Three alligator-clip wires (Radio Shack #278-1156).
                           
                           * Two potatoes.
                           
                           Now make a potato clock. Open the battery compartment of the clock and remove
                           the button battery. In the compartment, notice that there are two connections
                           for the battery marked plus (+) and minus (-). You'll connect the potato
                           battery to these two places. Let's call the potatoes A and B. Connect A and B
                           to the clock like this:
                           
                           1. Insert a copper electrode and a zinc electrode into each potato, fairly far
                           apart.
                           
                           2. Use an alligator-clip wire to connect the copper electrode of potato A to
                           the plus (+) connection in the clock.
                           
                           3. Use an alligator-clip wire to connect the zinc electrode of potato B to the
                           negative (-) connection in the clock.
                           
                           4. Use an alligator-clip wire to connect the zinc electrode of potato A to the
                           copper electrode of potato B.
                           
                           That's it. If all went well, the clock is running and will run for a long
                           time. Our project student Jennifer started one in April and it was still going
                           strong at the end of the school year.