Potato Bazooka Igniter

[TorqueVR]

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

[GliderRider]

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!

Edited by GliderRider on Sunday 15th June 13:42

[.:ian:.]

Arc lighter?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUPRUS-Electric-Windproof...

[essayer]

Section 5 firearm, prison etc

That said, we used the igniter off a gas bbq with hairspray.
Worked well.

[rallye101]

Jesus, go easy....those things are bloody lethal. A mates potato broke a brick wall at 100 yards...

[JoshSm]

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.

[Murph7355]

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.

[brycheiniog1]

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

[Byker28i]

Surely a XSHOT Insanity Manic Blaster



£50 in Argos

[Prawo Jazdy]

Why is there a phone number printed on it out of interest?

[DonkeyApple]

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.

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.

[GliderRider]

Prawo Jazdy said:

Why is there a phone number printed on it out of interest?

If you live in the middle of nowhere, its getting late, and two small boys turn up in a mini-Jeep & trailer, you know who to call to come and retrieve them.