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How to build a simple Plasma Rifle aka Electrothermal Rifle

by geckowil on February 4, 2008

Table of Contents

intro: How to build a simple Plasma Rifle aka Electrothermal Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Constructing the plasma rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 2: Construction tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3: solid state plasma generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
intro: How to build a simple Plasma Rifle aka Electrothermal Rifle
In this Instructable we will show you how to build a simple electrothermal rifle that can shoot bbs using the plasma burst from a capacitive discharge. This design is easily
scalable. If you use a higher voltage or larger capacity power supply you will be able to fire the projectile faster. Using only 1 camera as a power supply will launch the bb
out at very low velocities. This project uses high voltages and can shoots bbs at dangerously high speeds. We take no responsibility for damages caused by this project.
Check out our other inventions and projects at our site WillCorp .

Here is a video of our high power plasma rifle in action

Video

step 1: Constructing the plasma rifle

We'll show you how to build a small low powered plasma rifle using only common everyday items like a disposable camera for the power supply.. The rifle uses pressure
produced by the several thousand degree plasma produced by a capacitive discharge to launch a projectile across the room. It transforms electrical energy into kinetic
without any motors, gases, explosives or anything else. A great way to amaze your friends. Or have a mini war. Warning high voltages required for the capacitor bank
may cause shock.
Simply watch the embedded video for instructions

Video

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
step 2: Construction tips
If the bb seems to just be rolling out or not even leaving the barrel, shorten the length of the pen till it shoots farthest.
Basically the whole point is to short circuit the capacitors across the steel wool inside of the barrel. For a low power cannon, the electrodes can simply be 2 wires stuck
into the back of the barrel. Higher power cannons will require stronger construction techniques. Beyond a couple joules, wires cant really be used as the electrodes
because they will begin to vaporize along with the steel wool. In a larger version i used 2 stainless steel rods approximately 3/16" thick. i ground the bottom of the rods to
a nearly flat surface, then i drilled a 3/16" hole through a block of teflon that transects a .3" hole for the aluminum barrel. I sealed the breach with a lexan plate and a
neoprene gasket. the 2 steel rods were inserted into their respective holes and were connected to 8 gauge copper wires running directly to the capacitor bank.

Image Notes
1. This is the more robust teflon and steel discharge generator

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
step 3: solid state plasma generation
Another configuration that we tested was using a trigatron to initiate the plasma discharge. Basically we built a small chamber with 3 electrodes. 2 were connected directly
to the capacitor bank. the 3rd was connected to the 20 kv output of a flyback transformer. The ground of the transformer was connected to the negative electrode of the
capacitor. The terminals are positioned sufficiently close together so that the hv arc lowers the resistance enough for the capacitors to discharge. The key issue with this
setup is that the electrodes ablate fairly quickly and they must be adjusted every few shots. Also this setup works best with a 500v capacitor bank at around 500 joules.
The Plasma generated actually sears the back of the bb turning it a dark black.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Early attempt at a trigatron 1. Half blackened bb from heat

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
 Image Notes
1. My next project, a supersonic airsoft bb fired from a .223 remington case. lol just
kidding , way too dangerous

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before!!! by
Plasmana

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Comments
37 comments Add Comment

AnarchistAsian says: Jul 29, 2008. 1:18 PM REPLY

nice, favorite, +4.5

shoestring92 says: Jul 12, 2008. 6:12 PM REPLY

i dont have a voltage meter, and dont know how to charge the capacitor

whats the easiest way, and how long does it take?

geckowil says: Jul 19, 2008. 1:44 PM REPLY

well if you are using the cameras they'll charge it in 30 seconds you should really get a voltmeter for $20 bucks from radioshack, u put 300 volts across
capacitor to charge it.

Dr Weird ATHF117 says: Jul 7, 2008. 3:47 AM REPLY

0% plasma, yet 100% pwnage

szechuan53 says: Jun 28, 2008. 2:18 PM REPLY

hmm... modify it... voila! hot pellet projectiles!

Mattrox says: Jun 23, 2008. 3:13 PM REPLY

could you pleaz remove ur instructable from my group Pneumatic Airguns. Its a cool instructable but the group is for pneumatic airguns only.

No hard feelings

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
 geckowil says: Jun 24, 2008. 8:45 AM REPLY
sure no prob, sorry but i can only find the button to add it to groups, how do i remove it? thanks

Mattrox says: Jun 25, 2008. 12:52 PM REPLY

never mind i thoght i saw a button that said that but i was wrong. so never mind

Mattrox says: Jun 23, 2008. 3:17 PM REPLY

also can you put some instructions. i think my computer is blocking the vids

duct tape says: May 9, 2008. 8:29 PM REPLY

Awesome! Now I can make a muzzle loading airsoft gun. Although I think the bark is worse than the bit.

geckowil says: Jun 5, 2008. 4:13 PM REPLY

yeah it seams that way, but it does have one hell of a bark, the efficiencies are just too low though

macmaniac says: May 28, 2008. 3:48 AM REPLY

You really need to tidy your workbench. Apart from that, good idea + 'ible

philipster says: May 5, 2008. 5:39 AM REPLY

hi does it Just have to be aluminum or can i use steel or iron for my rails

QwertyuioLP says: May 5, 2008. 4:40 AM REPLY

my computer is real slow with video could you post instructions?

jonrb says: Feb 27, 2008. 7:03 AM REPLY

would using metal bb's and just using contacts straight from the capacitor work?

geckowil says: Mar 5, 2008. 8:12 PM REPLY

it would work to some extent but only when using a large capacitor bank. Without vaporizing a large portion of the bb, not enough gas will be produced to
shoot it. Steel wool works the best out of anything ive tried because it is so porous. The air between the steel fibers is superheated as the fibers vaporize.
the hot air gives the majority of the push to the projectile. If you can get it working well with just a metal bb please share.

bluenightweasel says: Feb 23, 2008. 11:29 PM REPLY

That's awesome! I can't right now, because its 12:30 here, but tomorrow i'm going to walmart to get a camera and some steel wool! (and if i can get my
camera from my dad i will post pics). I am definately going to make this, +1 very nice instructable and i will try not to hurt myself with it ;]

bluenightweasel says: Feb 23, 2008. 11:31 PM REPLY

ok nvm i cant find the rating button but if i manage to, +1 lol

geckowil says: Feb 25, 2008. 12:04 PM REPLY

its in the info box. its right next to the current rating u just press the plus sign. thanks

bluenightweasel says: Feb 26, 2008. 5:01 PM REPLY

..oh. lol yeah found it! =D thanks

James (pseudo-geek) says: Feb 24, 2008. 11:13 PM REPLY

I can see a working Warhammer 40,000 style plasma rifle sitting on my bed......

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
 Tobita says: Feb 25, 2008. 6:46 PM REPLY
i have one too, but he's on my miniature.

James (pseudo-geek) says: Feb 25, 2008. 10:58 PM REPLY

not a working one you dont.

Tobita says: Feb 25, 2008. 11:06 PM REPLY

not a working one, no.

James (pseudo-geek) says: Feb 24, 2008. 11:14 PM REPLY

I'll post pics once its done

tech_sponge61 says: Feb 25, 2008. 12:19 AM REPLY

lol that would be awesome whats your army?

James (pseudo-geek) says: Feb 25, 2008. 12:45 AM REPLY

I'm gonna be getting some Blood Angels in a bit...I used to have some tyranids.

tech_sponge61 says: Apr 1, 2008. 6:14 PM REPLY

cool i play fantasy i went with a kinda weird choice for an army. I have an all slayer dwarf army...havent tried 40k yet

Tobita says: Apr 22, 2008. 7:07 PM REPLY

i prefer bloodbowl to anything else, but it's really hard to find players and miniatures.

tech_sponge61 says: Apr 24, 2008. 6:47 PM REPLY

BLOODBOWL! I was in a warhammer club and they were going to start playing bloodbowl but i got out before they ever started... it
looked like fun though

Tobita says: Apr 25, 2008. 8:22 PM REPLY

lol, yeah, it is, wen i went to the gamesworkshop store, i asked if they had bloodbowl figurers and he was taken back because i
was younger than most BB players, sadly the store had none:(

master-of-chaos says: Feb 20, 2008. 5:54 PM REPLY

Go for it, seriously i want to see you fire it with that in it.

geckowil says: Feb 25, 2008. 12:04 PM REPLY

wat do u mean?

twenglish1 says: Feb 25, 2008. 12:25 PM REPLY

i think he means firing it from the .223 Remington case

thebboy says: Feb 18, 2008. 11:37 AM REPLY

SWEET!

ultimachris says: Feb 15, 2008. 2:40 PM REPLY

no

can be EXTREMLY powerful some can shoot through walls

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
 zero7525 says: Feb 14, 2008. 3:21 PM REPLY
very nice innovation on this project, just like a railgun, only uses pressure/force instead of magnetism, another addition in electro-pulse weaponry :D

oh yeah, whats the velocity of a 150.9 joule cap bank when hooked up with this?

is this more effiecient than a coilgun or a railgun?

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/