http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) Intro: How to build a simple Plasma Rifle aka Electrothermal Rifle
In this Instructable we will show you how to build a simple electrothermal rifle that can shoot bbs using the plasma burst from a capacitive discharge. This design is easily scalable. If you use a higher voltage or larger capacity power supply you will be able to fire the projectile faster. Using only 1 camera as a power supply will launch the bb out at very low velocities. This project uses high voltages and can shoots bbs at dangerously high speeds. We take no responsibility for damages caused by this project. Check out our other inventions and projects at our site WillCorp . Here is a video of our high power plasma rifle in action
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
Image Notes 1. This is the more robust teflon and steel discharge generator
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
Image Notes 1. My next project, a supersonic airsoft bb fired from a .223 remington case. lol just kidding , way too dangerous
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Comments
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GSXRPARTNEEDER says:
clean your work area!!!
TheDoci says:
Sep 6, 2009. 10:34 AM REPLY I trid to bould a bit mor powerful version of that and it dosent work it discharges the 200 F 330V caps but it dosent vaporiz the steal wool. can you pleas help me? Its a cool project!!! But it dosent work for me :( it just dosent work so pleas help me!!!!!!!!!!!!
mattinator16 says:
try using aluminum.
imshanedulong says:
Does the steel wool stay so it can be reused?
firefighter1333 says:
500/ 600 FPS???!!! IM SOOOOOOOO GOING TO MAKE THIS IN RIFLE SHAPE!!!
firefighter1333 says:
or pistol...!
Crail says:
so... What do I do if I can't understand anything in the video?
pyrotech25 says:
awsome.
Gamer917 says:
Jul 23, 2009. 8:00 AM REPLY i really want to make one of these and put it inside a halo plasma pistol toy and the switch to fire the bb would be in the trigger of the gun
kjjohn says:
Jun 23, 2009. 7:20 AM REPLY how far would this shoot with a 940uf 400volt capacitor bank (75J of energy)? I am using a shaped projectile (iron rod modified into a bullet)
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
raedonchar says:
May 7, 2009. 8:59 PM REPLY I'm planning on using this as a step in my Rube Goldberg machine for a class project. Would it be possible to charge a 160v, 220uf capacitor by plugging it into an outlet (or would I need to build a charger circuit) and then using that to short the steel wool? All I really need it to do is knock over a contained domino.
Jun 22, 2009. 11:08 PM REPLY raedonchar: DON'T use an outlet to charge a capacitor! Seriously. Wall voltage is really dangerous, and capacitors don't really charge on AC (Alternating current--it's what your house power is, look it up on wikipedia), they just do sme freaky tesla ( again, look up tesla on wikipedia, he was an engineer) stuff. It is much safer to build a battery-operated charging circuit and use that. I hope this helps!
mzw says:
May 19, 2009. 9:07 PM REPLY Hi. i'm doing this for a science project at school lol ok so i used a standard bic pen, ripped off the tip, drilled 2 1/16th inch holes at the back etc. i also have capacitors that i got from used disposable cameras. how much steel wool should i use? i got the finest steel wool and everything, but whenever i connect the electrodes there is just a spark. please help? Feb 13, 2009. 2:02 AM REPLY nice ible me and one of my freinds are doin this on the weekend with slight variation and a masive cap bank power suply were planing on making somthing with a 70cm barel also a designed a cartridge for it look
milamber says:
bylerfamily says:
Not a bad idea...
ItsTheHobbs says:
So, basically the steel wool is the "gunpowder", that's lit by an electric charge? That's pretty neat, very original
Xellers says:
This is actually not an original design, it has already been done many times.
geckowil says:
Mar 12, 2009. 7:22 AM REPLY At the time when i had built it in high school i had never seen any one else designs for anything similar. the only thing i have seen similar sense is power labs electrothermal gun
Killa-X says:
Mar 11, 2009. 10:31 PM REPLY I still never got an answer from the maker of this instructables... Whats the schematic here to connect the flyback up right... I'm having problems getting the caps to discharge >_> what pins are what on your 4-way screw chamber! Nov 30, 2008. 9:41 AM REPLY could this be used to create a full auto paintball gun or would there be issues with corrosion/paintballs bursting in the barrel from the heat/paint shorting out parts that shouldn't?
teapotking says:
teapotking says:
jeez i was just joking, i could kill myself doing that, and i'm only 15, so i don't particularly want that to happen.
Killa-X says:
If you go on youtube there's a guy who made a ETG that can rapid fire... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwcAtd-H2MA
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
DrWeird117 says:
0% plasma, yet 100% pwnage
DrWeird117 says:
Where?
Feb 12, 2009. 1:55 PM REPLY it arcs it least a bit in there making a bit of plasma for a very short time its not shooting any plasma but it does make an amount
DrWeird117 says:
Huh...
pyrohaz says:
Hey, what did you use for a trigger?
DrWeird117 says:
\/\/here I)035 the plasma come from?
AnarchistAsian says:
nice, favorite, +4.5
shoestring92 says:
i dont have a voltage meter, and dont know how to charge the capacitor whats the easiest way, and how long does it take?
geckowil says:
Jul 19, 2008. 1:44 PM REPLY well if you are using the cameras they'll charge it in 30 seconds you should really get a voltmeter for $20 bucks from radioshack, u put 300 volts across capacitor to charge it.
szechuan53 says:
hmm... modify it... voila! hot pellet projectiles!
Mattrox says:
Jun 23, 2008. 3:13 PM REPLY could you pleaz remove ur instructable from my group Pneumatic Airguns. Its a cool instructable but the group is for pneumatic airguns only. No hard feelings
geckowil says:
sure no prob, sorry but i can only find the button to add it to groups, how do i remove it? thanks
Mattrox says:
never mind i thoght i saw a button that said that but i was wrong. so never mind
Mattrox says:
also can you put some instructions. i think my computer is blocking the vids
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
geckowil says:
yeah it seams that way, but it does have one hell of a bark, the efficiencies are just too low though
macmaniac says:
You really need to tidy your workbench. Apart from that, good idea + 'ible
philipster says:
hi does it Just have to be aluminum or can i use steel or iron for my rails
QwertyuioLP says:
my computer is real slow with video could you post instructions?
jonrb says:
would using metal bb's and just using contacts straight from the capacitor work?
geckowil says:
Mar 5, 2008. 8:12 PM REPLY it would work to some extent but only when using a large capacitor bank. Without vaporizing a large portion of the bb, not enough gas will be produced to shoot it. Steel wool works the best out of anything ive tried because it is so porous. The air between the steel fibers is superheated as the fibers vaporize. the hot air gives the majority of the push to the projectile. If you can get it working well with just a metal bb please share.
bluenightweasel says:
Feb 23, 2008. 11:29 PM REPLY That's awesome! I can't right now, because its 12:30 here, but tomorrow i'm going to walmart to get a camera and some steel wool! (and if i can get my camera from my dad i will post pics). I am definately going to make this, +1 very nice instructable and i will try not to hurt myself with it ;]
bluenightweasel says:
ok nvm i cant find the rating button but if i manage to, +1 lol
geckowil says:
its in the info box. its right next to the current rating u just press the plus sign. thanks
bluenightweasel says:
..oh. lol yeah found it! =D thanks
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/