Potato Bazooka Igniter
Discussion
Hi Guys
I need some help. I want to make a mortar to fit my grandson's jeep trailer (see photo) from plastic pipe

This is the sort of thing I have in mind, and I'm OK with the basic components but I can't work out what he's used as an igniter/trigger. Any suggestions?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qj294iJOHA8
I need some help. I want to make a mortar to fit my grandson's jeep trailer (see photo) from plastic pipe
This is the sort of thing I have in mind, and I'm OK with the basic components but I can't work out what he's used as an igniter/trigger. Any suggestions?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qj294iJOHA8
How about a piezo igniter as found on cigarette lighters and gas ovens?
For greater reliability, but at much greater expense, some form of trembler coil would put out a continuous stream of sparks.
Back in 1992, I visited the ex's parents near Moscow. By their cooker they had a thing about the size of a soldering iron that plugged into the mains and had two electrodes on the end. When a button was pressed, a continuous shower of sparks, a bit like arc welding, was produced between them. I don't recall any problems getting the hobs lit!
For greater reliability, but at much greater expense, some form of trembler coil would put out a continuous stream of sparks.
Back in 1992, I visited the ex's parents near Moscow. By their cooker they had a thing about the size of a soldering iron that plugged into the mains and had two electrodes on the end. When a button was pressed, a continuous shower of sparks, a bit like arc welding, was produced between them. I don't recall any problems getting the hobs lit!
Edited by GliderRider on Sunday 15th June 13:42
rallye101 said:
Jesus, go easy....those things are bloody lethal. A mates potato broke a brick wall at 100 yards...
Yep, some sort of glorified NERF gun might be a bit more child friendly - whatever is coming out of it needs to be something that won't do any damage 'cos you know that sooner or later it's going to be pointed at someone if a kid has it. JoshSm said:
Yep, some sort of glorified NERF gun might be a bit more child friendly - whatever is coming out of it needs to be something that won't do any damage 'cos you know that sooner or later it's going to be pointed at someone if a kid has it.
I'd just use a Nerf gun.You can get some pretty good belt fed ones. Spray it up and job done.
We progressed from launching potatoes to rubber door stops with a 3" wood screw through the middle. It would punch right through the plywood sheet we used for a target at 30 yards. If it hit where the wooden supports were it would drive the screw in so the door stopper was flush with the surface....
All good fun
All good fun

TorqueVR said:
Hi Guys
I need some help. I want to make a mortar to fit my grandson's jeep trailer (see photo) from plastic pipe

This is the sort of thing I have in mind, and I'm OK with the basic components but I can't work out what he's used as an igniter/trigger. Any suggestions?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qj294iJOHA8
I'd opt for compressed air as the propellant. I need some help. I want to make a mortar to fit my grandson's jeep trailer (see photo) from plastic pipe
This is the sort of thing I have in mind, and I'm OK with the basic components but I can't work out what he's used as an igniter/trigger. Any suggestions?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qj294iJOHA8
Nerf do a spring powered mortar that could be painted up etc but if the desire is to make something bespoke then definitely go with compressed air.
essayer said:
Section 5 firearm, prison etc
Is a potato a "stabilised missile", or is there some other clause that covers this?(ae)any rocket launcher, or any mortar, for projecting a stabilised missile, other than a launcher or mortar designed for line-throwing or pyrotechnic purposes or as signalling apparatus;]
silentbrown said:
Is a potato a "stabilised missile", or is there some other clause that covers this?
(ae)any rocket launcher, or any mortar, for projecting a stabilised missile, other than a launcher or mortar designed for line-throwing or pyrotechnic purposes or as signalling apparatus;]
ICBP.(ae)any rocket launcher, or any mortar, for projecting a stabilised missile, other than a launcher or mortar designed for line-throwing or pyrotechnic purposes or as signalling apparatus;]
Might resolve Middle Eastern troubles

rallye101 said:
Jesus, go easy....those things are bloody lethal. A mates potato broke a brick wall at 100 yards...
I've seen one of these things in action before and it was stunningly powerful. Would easily cause irrevocable damage to a person / death if pointed in the wrong direction. silentbrown said:
essayer said:
Section 5 firearm, prison etc
Is a potato a "stabilised missile", or is there some other clause that covers this?(ae)any rocket launcher, or any mortar, for projecting a stabilised missile, other than a launcher or mortar designed for line-throwing or pyrotechnic purposes or as signalling apparatus;]
I looked into this when a small cannon came up for sale close to me once.
https://www.dandbmilitaria.com/deactivated-breda-m...
By the time you spent few hundred quid on bits to make potato bazooka, you could have a real.machine gun or a real bazooka.
By the time you spent few hundred quid on bits to make potato bazooka, you could have a real.machine gun or a real bazooka.
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