Homemade "Stomp Darts" and launcher

A while back, I began experimenting with using paper cone darts in a 3/4 in PVC pipe to make a blow-gun. When shot straight up, they reached an impressive height of about 120 feet. However, I wasn't satisfied. I came up with the idea to use a stomp pad (instead of my lungs) to power the darts.

This was an enormous success. The darts now go 300-450 feet in the air. That's twice the published distance that the commercial Stomp Rockets (R) go!

Warning: this contraption can be very dangerous. Do not point it at anyone or anything you care for. The tips of the darts usually crumple upon impact with a hard surface, but can still go through cardboard and leave welts on skin. I am not responsible for damage resulting from or relating to the use of this idea.

Step 1 Gather supplies

You need:
2 to 8 ft of 3/4" PVC pipe for the barrel. 2ft makes the dart go much slower than 8ft. Pictured is 4ft.
6 inches to 2 feet of 3/4" PVC pipe for the horizontal air pipe. Pictured is ~8in.
1 3/4in 90 degree elbow (PVC)
1 small paper bag, which forms the base for the stomp pad.
Several sheets of scrap computer paper (one for every dart you want plus one for the pad).
Masking tape, for the darts.
Duct tape, for reinforcing the stomp pad.
Scissors

For choosing the barrel length:
2' shoots about 150ft up.
4' shoots about 300ft up.
6' shoots 350-400ft up.
8' shoots even higher.
Keep in mind that these heights are derived from measured hang times and the simple d=v*t-1/2g*t^{2 equation from Newtonian physics. They don't account for air resistance, and therefore are not completely accurate. They give a rough estimate.}

Comments

[yapoyo]

woooooooooooow mine doesnt even get out of the tube this sucks

[tubbychick3n]

haha, i love how things have business ends. anyway, a video would really increase the number or ratings and such on this instructable.