A spud gun is a form of potato shooter that is made of ABS pipe. Do not use PVC pipe!. Do not use DWV pipe (drain, waste, vent) or cellulose pipe marked NOT FOR PRESSURE. This means DO NOT USE THEM OR PRESSURIZE THEM AT ALL. These pipes can tolerate no pressures and will explode if pressurized, causing great harm or death.

A friend of a guy named John Rich made the designs of the spud gun. Bob Simon put up a website called "Backyard Ballistics " in 1995 in the city of Houston, Texas. He probably did this for the purposes of fun. This is just the sort of thing that you should expect from a Texan!

(Note: I am about to tell you how to make one of these things. Do not use this for any purpose other than fun. Do not point this at anyone or anything. Do not even build one. You could become seriously injured or killed!)

• 1 10 foot 3 inch diameter schedule 40 ABS pipe
• 110 foot 2 inch diameter schedule 40 ABS pipe

• 1 3 to 2 inch reducing bushing
• 1 3 inch coupling
• 1 3 inch threaded (one side) coupling
• 1 3 inch threaded end-cap
• One can ABS solvent-weld pipe glue. DO NOT USE PVC GLUE ON ABS PIPE!
• 1 Coleman sparker
• 1 can unscented Aqua Net hairspray.

1. * Cut off a 14-inch section of the 3-inch diameter pipe.
2. Glue the bushing into one side of the 3-inch coupling.
3. Glue the other side of the coupling to the 14-inch part you cut off in step one.
4. Glue the threaded coupling to the other end of the 14-inch part.
5. * Cut a three-foot part of the two-inch diameter pipe. It will be a barrel.
6. * Taper the end of the barrel, which will serve as a muzzle.
7. * Install Coleman sparker in end cap.
8. Let glue dry.
9. Make ramrod. It should be 4 feet long. Make mark in ramrod 2 feet 8 inches down ramrod.

To fire: Remove end cap. Ram in potato to mark. Put in 2 seconds of Aqua Net hair spray. Aim and twist igniter knob.

* Power tools required.

Step 1: Use a reciprocating saw to cut off the 14-inch section.

Step 5: Use a reciprocating saw to cut off the 3-foot section.

Step 6: Use a belt sander to taper the end of the barrel.

Step 7: Use a power drill to make a hole to install the Coleman sparker.

Spud Gun, Potato Launcher, Combustion, Pneumatic... No matter what you call it, potato guns are great fun when used safely.

It's important to remember that 'spud guns' are not toys and demand the same cautions and responsibilities as traditional firearms.

Adult supervision during operation is the number one safety requirement in responsibly owning any type of potato cannon.

If you are under 18, get an adult to help you.

It is your responsibility to educate yourself before operating any type of launcher.