Potato Cannon

[Dave-R]

Hi All
Im new to the forum, so thought Id try a few things out, posting a video for one
Here is (i hope) a video of a black powder potato cannon I made a few years ago, no more driving miles to a field to plant potatoes, I can now do it from just outside the front door

     

[Joules]

 This would be great for chipping the spuds via the commecial jets that fly over us.

[velocette]

hi
Not impressed with the whole project bad design all round recoil not considered at all.
Start again and do it correctly.
This "Mad Modder" not "Mod Madder"

Eric

[awemawson]

Considering the replies to Simon Heslop's post regarding the legalities of making black powder muzzle loaders in the UK for re-enactment events, where does this cannon fit in the scheme of things 


http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,10486.msg119415.html#msg119415

[micktoon]

  Hi Dave, I remember the old spud cannon, I am sure it was secured down so it did not recoil ? , I suppose it it had grid of blades on the end it could become chip cannon lol   

 Cheers Mick

[Dave-R]

Aye Mick I normally secure it at the front with a peg in the ground but on this occasion I think I was a bit excessive with the black powder

Eric I must admit recoil didn't come into my initial calculations in fact there were no calculations that I can remember, as you would of witnessed with its trial firings i.e me hiding behind a wall with a longer piece of string

Awemawson as for use for re-enactment I've scoured the history books and can't find any major battle in uk history where the high velocity potato was an effective projectile

[vtsteam]

Where did the potato go?

[SwarfnStuff]

Vtsteam, Probably still in orbit? OR, perhaps a spud shaped cloud someplace?

[awemawson]

Awemawson as for use for re-enactment I've scoured the history books and can't find any major battle in uk history where the high velocity potato was an effective projectile

A little bit of 'point missing' there I think!

[steampunkpete]

On the one hand I don't want to come across as a H&S killjoy. On the other hand I've seen the aftermath of accidents on people's lives, and on one unforgettable occasion saw a death occur. One lesson that I took from that is never walk away when something needs to be said.

However you boil it down, and a fun thing as it is, there is enough energy tied up in that to cause serious injury, and it seems clear that the necessary care isn't being taken. Apart from the recoil, the guy loading it walked in front of the muzzle when it was loaded. Those of you who are archers or shooters will understand the significance of that.

Hmm, I think Eric may have been tactful here.

Have fun, but have fun safely, you really don't want to be remembered as a recipient of the Darwin Award.

[vtsteam]

I'm still hoping the range and impact perimeter were determined beforehand and absolutely known to be unpopulated.

Again, where did the potato go?

[Jonny]

Dave it makes no odds whether potatoe or anything else, simple to substitute for something else.
Not going to mention two implications and suggest remove from public domain unless have the licences.

[Dave-R]

Hi all
 seems like I caused a bit of a stir with the post, not to offend anyone I'll take it off, just to say it's quite an old video, at the time black powder was readily available to buy over the counter at any gun shop and the location is one of the most remote areas of the country the cannon pointing toward moorland for which there is no habitation for miles and I had a clear view of the direction it was headed. I do understand the concerns so as I've said I'll take it down.
Cheers
Dave

[awemawson]

Probably for the best Dave - my concern was some youngster trying to emulate you and getting badly hurt.