How to Make a Mini Cannon from a BBQ Lighter

1

harry88 says: Jun 9, 2011. 8:35 PM

what is the exat brand / exact model lighter

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NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to harry88Jun 13, 2011. 6:48 PM

Sorry for the delay. I used a 'grill zone flexable lighter'

7

jbaker22 says: Dec 31, 2011. 11:21 AM

DO you have tO register it as a firearm?

Zetsumeimaru in reply to jbaker22May 21, 2013. 12:27 PM

Do you have to register a potato gun? no.

B-24 liberator says: Aug 5, 2011. 10:41 PM

Awsome instructable I would have made it but my sister filled that metal pipe with crayon wax but I totally want to make it.

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yapoyo in reply to B-24 liberatorJun 7, 2012. 4:13 PM

how old is she? my sister is 9 and she desroyed the thing by using it to play war against her american girl dolls.

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Boom!H3adshot in reply to yapoyoApr 4, 2013. 1:16 PM

awesome lol

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h8864 in reply to yapoyoJan 5, 2013. 10:22 AM

LOL XD

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xXLab_ManXx in reply to B-24 liberatorAug 7, 2011. 8:51 AM

*sigh* sad isn't it...

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Jimmy Proton in reply to xXLab_ManXxApr 1, 2013. 8:20 AM

just melt the wax out

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Jimmy Proton says: Apr 2, 2013. 11:25 AM

Thank you so much for this! I love shooting my cat with it xD
I used a pill bottle and nail polish remover instead, works just as good or better than the fuel resivior

2

chewie616 says: Sep 9, 2012. 10:26 PM

i have hydgergen peroxid will that work and sorry for my spelling ellectric shoker is ausome and i hope i make it right your epic!!!!!!

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teknohawk says: Jul 16, 2012. 4:18 PM

Will it effect the explosion if you use 70% rubbing alcohol?

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Squishy Tank says: Jun 12, 2012. 11:23 PM

Well, apparently this instructable has been up for a while, but i never saw it Dx
WOnderful piece of work. I finished building mine, but only got it to shoot once... i see from other comments that fuel to air ratio is a problem, but have no grasp whatsoever of how much alchohol to apply... Any advice on that part?

Thanks and awesome work

Yorick14 says: Jun 12, 2012. 5:10 AM

Does the bbq lighter cannon works with deodorant?

Yorick14 says: Jun 10, 2012. 9:28 AM

Does it works with deo?

1

Airsoftgeek says: Feb 22, 2012. 9:15 PM

First, can I use electric tape to cover the self-tapping screws and can I add the fuel from the barrel?

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nerd97 in reply to AirsoftgeekJun 10, 2012. 7:56 AM

I used model glue (plastic cement) and it seems to work pretty well.

15

Football viking boy says: Dec 31, 2011. 2:54 PM

fps?

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yapoyo in reply to Football viking boyJun 7, 2012. 4:05 PM

Feet per second

Alpinepotato says: Apr 16, 2012. 6:39 PM

What happends if you put the 2 bolts to close

KL505420 says: Apr 12, 2012. 2:13 PM

Ok. I have two questions. 1. How far does the gap have to be to create a powerful spark. 2. Examples of fuel it can be used. Thanks.

weaponmaster1 says: Mar 11, 2012. 9:08 AM

Go to this link now http://www.instructables.com/answers/Airsoft-gun-102/

gunner223 says: Feb 17, 2012. 4:30 PM

is the screw at the back of the cannon air tight

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NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to gunner223Feb 17, 2012. 7:54 PM

Yes, for the most part. It might let a small amount through.

gunner223 in reply to NightHawkInLightFeb 17, 2012. 10:26 PM

thanks

DARKBLAED says: Feb 6, 2012. 5:03 AM

how powerful is the mini cannon?

carter5056 says: Jan 24, 2012. 10:02 AM

I just tried this out, only I was able to put the cannon back into the lighter case, and extended the barrel so that it still looks like a lighter. Thought it would be a nice little gag to pull on some when they are trying to light a candle or what have you.

Nathair says: Jan 16, 2012. 5:47 PM

Ok I'm srry to burst all ur little bubles but one contrary to watnighthawklight said adding oven a miner amount to much fluid nomatter what u use for fuel it could still blow up I know because my little brother was killed when one blow up in hi hand oh and I've taken these kinds of weapons of inmates at my prion that have been used to kill people and are illegal nomatter what they shoot

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PotatoCoffee says: Dec 28, 2011. 7:26 AM

No thats awsome!

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NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to PotatoCoffeeDec 28, 2011. 10:31 AM

Thanks! You might like my instructable shown here as well: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Ninja-Darts-for-the-Lighter-Mini-Canno/

Also, if you have a minute I would be very grateful for a vote for my instructable How to Make a Fire Wire in the Make it Glow contest!

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PotatoCoffee in reply to NightHawkInLightDec 28, 2011. 10:38 AM

I've seen it.

5

tato312 says: Jun 24, 2011. 4:45 PM

Hey, im building this cannon but im using lighter fluid as the fuel for it.

The thing is that I cant get it to ignite. There's a spark and everything, but it just wont ignite. Ive tried using more fuel but still nothing happens.

But when I take the rear bolt out and light the cannon with another lighter.. BOOM!
A lot of fire

I dont know whats wrong... Can someone help?
Thanks

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Goodhart in reply to tato312Dec 6, 2011. 9:27 PM

Sounds like the fuel / o₂ ratio is off....i.e. you need more air.

2

cj8675 in reply to tato312Nov 7, 2011. 3:50 PM

are you using 91% rubbing alcohol

1

Pfarmkid in reply to tato312Oct 15, 2011. 4:20 PM

you might be adding to much gas it also it is a bit harder to make lighter fluid ignite unless its a steady stream of gas

3

slipknot rules in reply to tato312Jun 29, 2011. 2:10 AM

Sounds like the fuel:air mixture is way too high try using less fuel :)

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NightHawkInLight (author) in reply to tato312Jun 24, 2011. 10:57 PM

You can't use butane in this, the chamber is too small. If you add more than 3% of the volume of the chamber worth of butane it won't have enough air to ignite.