Instruction Manual:

How to Build a
Potato Gun

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................. 3
Materials and Tools.......................................................................3
Materials............................................................................................3
Tools...................................................................................................3

Instructions.................................................................................. 4
Prepare the Pipe.................................................................................4
Priming Time.......................................................................................4
Constructing the Pressure Chamber.....................................................5
Connecting the Tire Valve....................................................................5
Constructing the Barrel.......................................................................6
Modifying the Sprinkler Valve..............................................................6
Putting It All Together.........................................................................7
Connecting the Pressure Chamber to the Barrel....................................7

How to Operate............................................................................8

Introduction
This project is to create a potato gun. This potato gun can launch a potato about the length of
football field. All materials can be bought at a local hardware store. There should be some
background and familiarity with building material and tools.

Materials and Tools

All materials can be bought at local hardware stores
Caution: Dont get foam core PVC pipe because it is not strong enough to hold under pressure
Note: You can buy stock PVC pipe

Materials

19 of 2 PVC Pipe
2 PVC Endcap
2 x 2 x Tee
2 x 1 Bushing
29 of 1 PVC pipe
1 x 1 threaded x slip reducing
coupler
1 x 1 thread x slip coupler
1 x 1 slip x thread reducing bushing
1 x 1 threaded nipple sch. 80
6 of 1 PVC pipe
1 x 1 90 elbow

1 90 elbow thread x slip

x brass bushing thread x thread
x 1/8 brass bushing thread x thread
Shrader Valve/Tire Valve with 1/8 NPT
threads
2 x barb x thread nipple
1 Jar top sprinkler valve
8-10 Hose clamp
(2) 19 Hose clamps
10 of air compressor hose.
PVC Primer and Glue
Air Gun/Blow Gun

Drill
JB Quick Weld
Toothpick
Pliers
Pipe Wrench

Tools

Chop saw or Hack saw

Teflon Tape
Flathead Screwdriver
Measuring Tape
Bench Clamp
14 NPT Tap and 7/16 drill bit

Instructions
Prepare the Pipe
Warning: Make sure to use safety glasses.
Note: Use a measuring tape to measure the PVC pipe for cutting.
Cut the PVC pipe
1. Using a chop saw or hack saw to cut the PVC pipe. If using a hack saw, make the cut as
straight as possible.
2. 1 piece of the 2 PVC pipe cut down to 19.
3. 1 piece of 1 PVC pipe cut down to 29.
4. Cut the 1 PVC pipe into these pieces:
a. (1) 2 piece
b. (1) 3 piece
c. (2) 2 pieces

Priming Time
Warning: Dont get primer in your eyes.
Warning: Dont get primer on your hands, wear nitrile gloves (not latex or polyurethane because
it will eat through the glove)
Note: Primer also stains clothing and surfaces. Use newspaper or cardboard
Caution: Never prime PVC threads. It will weaken the threads and make the part useless.

1. Prime the 2 end cap with PVC primer. Take the swap that is connected to the PVC
primers cap and apply primer to the inside of the end cap. Only prime the part that the
PVC touches, not the whole inside of the end cap.
2. Prime the 2 PVC pipe on the outside of both end. About 1 2 down the length of
the PVC pipe. Let the primer completely dry before putting any glue on. It should go
from shiny to flat luster.

3. Prime the inside of the tee. Only prime the open 2 sides, not the opening. Prime
about 2 in.
4. Prime the 2 x 1 Reducing bushing. On the outside of the 2 section and the inside of
the 1 section.
5. Prime the inside of the 90 elbow and the slip part of the 90 thread x slip elbow.
6. Prime the entire outside of the 2 piece of 1 PVC pipe.
7. Prime the ends of the 3 PVC pipe.
8. Prime the 1 x 1 slip x thread reducing bushing. Prime only the 1 or slip side.

Constructing the Pressure Chamber

The pressure chamber is the bottom part of the potato gun and contains the compressed air used
to launch the potato or object.
Note: It is important when gluing that you use enough PVC glue. Dont be stingy and be liberal.
Note: When gluing, the glue will only be applied to the primed areas.
Note: When gluing two pieces of PVC pipe, press firmly and twist both pieces in opposite
directions.
Note: Right after gluing two pieces together wipe off the remaining glue around the joints.
1. Apply glue to the 2 end cap and one end of the 2 PVC pipe. Press the pieces firmly
together and twist.
2. Apply glue to one primed side of the tee and the other end of the 2 PVC pipe. Press the
pieces firmly together and twist.
3. Apply glue to the other end of the tee and the 2 (bigger side) of the 2 x 1 bushing. Press
the pieces firmly together and twist.
4. Apply a liberal amount of glue to the inside of the 2 x 1 bushing. Push the 2 piece of 1
PVC pipe into the bushing.
For this next step, you will be gluing the 90 elbow to the other end of the 1 PVC pipe. Due to
height restrictions, the vertical section of the elbow will be offset from the vertical section of the
tee.
Caution: Do not line up elbow and the tee.
5. Apply glue to the 90 elbow and the other side of the 1 PVC Pipe. Press the pieces
firmly together and twist.
6. Apply glue to the inside of the other end of the 90 elbow and the 1 x 3 PVC pipe.
Press the pieces firmly together and twist.
7. Apply glue to the other end of the 1 x 3 PVC pipe and the inside of the other elbow.
Press the pieces firmly together and twist. Make sure that the end of the elbows is
symmetrical to the other elbow.

Connecting the Tire Valve

1. Put Teflon tape on the threads of the x brass bushing, the x 1/8 brass bushing,
and the larger threads of the tire valve.

2. Screw these three together in the order of the tire valve on top, x 1/8 bushing, and
x brass bushing on bottom.
3. Put the x brass bushing into the clamp tighten gently. Using pliers or a box wrench
tighten the tire valve, this will tighten all of the fittings. To be sure that all the fittings are
tightened, use pliers.
4. Screw the x bushing into the top of the tee and tighten with pliers. Dont over
tighten because it will split the PVC.

Constructing the Barrel

Note: You dont need Teflon tape at this connection as long as you screw it together firmly
1. Apply glue to one end of the 1 PVC Pipe and the 1 x 1 slip x thread reducing
coupler. Press the pieces firmly together and twist.
2. Without getting any glue on the threads, apply glue to the slip side of the 1 x 1
coupler and to the 1 x 1 slip x thread bushing. Press the pieces firmly together and
twist. Wipe excess glue off of the outside of the joint and make sure no glue gets on the
threads.
3. Screw the 1 x 1 coupler, which was just glued, to the 1 x 1 thread x slip
coupler.

Modifying the Sprinkler Valve

Modifying the sprinkler valve is important if the potato gun is to perform well.
Caution: Without modifying the sprinkler valve will result in a lack of power when firing.
Note: Also, without the modification the gun will create a strange noise similar to a pipe organ.
Note: If the potato gun ever makes the strange noise it just means the diaphragm is vibrating,
which produces a sound.
Note: This modification is only for a jar top sprinkler valve. If another type of sprinkler valve is
being used the process will be similar, but the instructions here will only focus on the jar top
sprinkler valve.
1. Unscrew and remove the solenoid on top of the sprinkler valve. This is the black
cylindrical part on the top of the valve with wires coming out.
2. Unscrew the big retaining ring and take it off. Be careful of the spring inside the valve
which will pop the top off, if you are not careful.
3. Take the top off, remove the spring, and carefully remove the diaphragm.
4. Look into outlet port indicated by the arrow. You should see a small hole inside the port.
5. Fill the small hole with JB Quick Weld. Follow the mixing instructions on the tube. Use a
toothpick to pick up some quick weld and insert it into the hole. Push the quick weld
further in with the toothpick. You may need to do this 2-3 times. Caution: Be sure to do
this step quickly because the Quick Weld will set within 3 minutes and you wont be able
to use it once set. The purpose is to close the hole so no air can get through.
6. The cap of the jar top valve has a black plastic screw, unscrew it and with newly mixed
JB Quick Weld fill in the hole to the top where the screw was.
7. Carefully clamp the cap onto a bench clamp. Caution: Careful not to clamp to tight
because it will bend the cap. Using the 7/16 drill bit, drill out the hole in the cap where

the solenoid was. Try to keep the drill has straight as possible, which will help the fit of
the barb that will be put on later.
8. Using the tap put it in the hole you just drilled and start turning it, keeping the tap as
straight as possible. This will create threads on the cap. Dont turn the tap so it is more
than halfway into the hole.
9. Mix more JB Quick Weld and apply it to the top few threads that you just made. Also
apply the JB Quick Weld to all the threads of the nipple and screw it into the cap. Make
sure that the nipple is on the outside of the cap.
10. Flip the cap over and put a little amount of JB Quick Weld where the nipple and the cap
meet. That will create a better seal. Make sure not to clog the hole of the nipple.
11. Set aside and let dry. Make sure that before anything is done with the nipple it is fully
cured. File down any sharp edges.
12. Clamp the air gun in the bench clamp, with the threaded end up. If it has a fitting screwed
onto it, take it off. Hold the other barb with the threads facing up and wrap it in Teflon
tape in a clockwise direction, dont wrap it more than two turns. Screw it onto the air gun
and use pliers to tighten it down.
13. Flip the air gun over and clamp it down again. Using a hack saw, cut off the front of the
air gun until just after the metal hanger.
14. Cut 8 of the ID air compressor hose with a sharp knife. Slide two hose clamps on the
hose. Make sure that the clamps can slide loosely.
15. Push the ends onto the nipple of the air gun and sprinkler valve. Before you push the ends
on, put some spit into the ends of the hose to lubricate it while being pushed together.
16. Slide the clamps to each end of the hose, over the barbs, and tighten them.
17. Make sure to keep the cap and the rest of the sprinkler valve separated until later.

Putting It All Together

1. Take the 1 x 2 threaded nipple and put Teflon tape on each end. Screw one end into
the 1 x 1 bushing, which is attached to the barrel assembly. Screw the other end onto
the outlet of the sprinkler valve. The arrow on the sprinkler should point towards the
barrel.
2. Gently clamp the sprinkler valve and use a pipe wrench to tighten the barrel assembly.
Dont over tighten because it could break the nipple and sprinkler valve.
3. Warp the threads of the tee in Teflon tape. Screw the sprinkler valve onto the tee and
tighten with a pipe wrench. Remember dont over tighten. Make sure the top of the
sprinkler is facing the pressure chamber. Also the sprinkler valve needs to be at an angle
so the top is pointing towards the brass fitting.
4. Slide the retaining ring onto the hose connected to the cap.
5. Put the diaphragm back into the valve with the black plastic piece going inside the valve.
Put the spring into the center of the diaphragm and put the cap back on and tighten the
retaining ring.

Connecting the Pressure Chamber to the Barrel

1. Take the 19 hose clamp and loosen it all the way so both ends are free. With both ends
pointing up, feed the clamp through the 1 x 2 PVC pipe until its in about the middle
of the clamp.

2. Connect both ends of the clamp to form an 8 shape, with the PVC pipe in the middle of
the 8. Slide one loop onto the end of the barrel. Slide it down the barrel until you get to
the pressure chamber.
3. Once at the pressure chamber put the other loop around it and continue sliding down until
the 1 x 1 coupling. Center the strap on the coupling and tighten. Making sure that
both loops are perpendicular to the attached pipe.
4. Repeat step 7. Once the loop is around the pressure chamber slide it just passed the end
cap and tighten. Making sure that both loops are perpendicular to the attached pipe.
5. Take the 8-10 hose clamp and undo it all the way so the ends are free. Position the air
gun on the closest 3 PVC pipe. Take the clamp and fasten the air gun to the 3 PVC
pipe. Make sure that the trigger points in the direction of the barrel and that the free end
of the air gun points up.

How to Operate
Note: Before pressurizing the pressure chamber or firing for the first time, make sure all the
PVC glue joints are completely set. Wait 24 hours after gluing before firing.
Note: This potato gun is intended to be used with an air compressor or pump that has a pressure
gage on the line.
1. Put a cut potato or object into the barrel. Using the remaining 1 PVC pipe, push the
potato to the bottom of the barrel.
2. Pressurize the pressure chamber until it is a pressure between 5-85 psi.
3. Aim in a safe direction, away from people, houses, dogs, and cats.
4. Pull the trigger until all the air has released.