Paper Wadd Shooter / Spit Ball Cannon

Here is how to build a fun and inexpensive combustion powerded paper wadd shooter or spit ball cannon. This will take about 1 hour to build from start to complete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBt30Dtf-iE

Parts and Tools

You will need the pictured lighter (refillable multipurpose lighter, pen (Bic round stick) and pump(Pocket Pump from Wal-Mart or Academy). You will also need the following tools or equivelant means. Drill, 1/16 drill bit, 5/16 drill bit, plastic epoxy, tooth picks, razor, small phillips screw driver, quick steel(Hardware or Automotive), tape and hot glue if desired.

Dissasemble Lighter

Take the little guy apart except for the end you use to refill under normal opperations.

Tank Assembly and Preparation 1 of 2

Dissasemble the tank part that holds the Butane. You might want to go outside to release the Butane pressure. Then take a 5/16 drill bit and drill the following holes. See Picture

Tank Assembly and Preparation 2 of 2

Drill 1/16 hole in tank just behind exhaust hole. Note: Do not drill straight through. Drill from each side to prevent plast drill bit debree from remaining in tank. Then rethread small cap and use the original gas adjuster as a wrench to tighten. Use Epoxy to set sparker to tank. Note: DO NOT EPOXY THE PART OF THE SPARKER THAT HAS MOVEABLE PARTS. USE A FLAT SIDE.

Barrell Assembly and Preparation

Dissasemble pen and cut white tube in half. This is now your barrell.

Insert Sparker Wire Into Tank

Cut and insert wires into tank. You do not need to strip back wire. Just put enough wire into the 1/16 hole then epoxy to seal and hold wire in place. DO not get epoxy on any of the sparker moveable parts.

Attaching Barrell to Tank

The pen will slide over exhaust cap and hold firmly for you to use quick steel to set permanently.

Pocket Pump Preparation

You will need to cover the side hole of the pump stem. If you leave a little rubber overhanbing the stem, it will act as a seal sleeve when you prime the tank with oxygen. The rubber sleeve comes from the rubber tubbing that was remaining with the dissasembled lighter.

Filling Tank With 91% Isopropyl Alcohol

Pour a small amount of 91% isopropyl alcohol down barrel to fill tank. This might be 1/8 teaspoon.

Lock and Load

1. Use Pocket Pump to inject a small amount of air.

2. Take 1 inch by 1 inch of paper towell and wadd it up tightly.

3. Push wadd about 1/2 way down barrell.

4. Aim and press sparker.

5. May need to add air if it doesn't fire.