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[Siquo]

Try reversing the polarity!

On capacitors, that's always a funny... "solution".

For Dwarf Fortress values of "fun". 

Hey, I've got nothing to add here except I'd like to see the end result

[dragnar]

I may be completely missing the point, but are you suggesting the kind of guns in Artemis Fowl that those goblins use, that shoot literal ammo, but also have a separate cartridge of batteries they use at the same time?

A railgun/coilgun works by accelerating a small piece of metal to ridiculous speeds using a strong magnetic field created by electromagnets. Basically it's a normal gun but using electricity in place of gunpowder, also it is much, much, more awesome/destructive. Bigger railguns can launch things at many times the speed of sound.

[xtank5]

I built a coil gun from old disposable cameras that I got for free at Walmart.  You just go to the photo development section and ask if they have any used disposable cameras.  If they ask any questions, just tell them it's for a science project (possibly for school).

Still have to test it though.  In order to provide the juice I'll be using a wallwart to juice up the charging circuits which will in turn charge the capacitors.  More circuits = faster charge time.  Here's a good resource.

[Rotten]

I know you're probably not looking to copy someone's project directly, but this site goes into OK detail about building the capacitor bank. If you type 'coil gun' into the search bar, you get a few other tutorials on them too. They also have a section (scroll down on the main page, I think you have to sign up though) for asking questions.

Edit: Oh, ninja'd by xtank.

[piecewise]

Why a coilgun? Its rather inefficient and always gonna be less powerful then conventional black powder, least with anything you can make.

[Realmfighter]

Because its a COIL GUN.

You are a monster.

[piecewise]

Because its a COIL GUN.

You are a monster.

I subsist on broken dreams.


Also, coil guns are kinda common as a project among basement dwelling mad scientist youths, why not make something more fun? Nuclear reactors are always good, but if you want something more murderous try replicating the shark killing spears the astronauts were given. It was for if they ever reentered and splashed down in shark infested waters. It was basically a spear with a compressed air canister in the handle and a hypodermic needle like stabbing tip. Stab in, release gas, shark has it's stomach turned inside out and shoved out it's mouth. They made a knife version too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa_NC-_fvKs&feature=player_embedded

[smigenboger]

Is that where the "We're whalers on the moon, we carry a harpoon" song came from?

[piecewise]

Is that where the "We're whalers on the moon, we carry a harpoon" song came from?

I 'unno

[ein]

About that nuclear reactor...
Also, I want to do something with electrical engineering.
Hawaii has this BOE Recognition Diploma that you can get with good grades and a senior project.
The project just has to be something you're interested in, which for me is electrical engineering.

Anyway, I think my science teacher may be willing to let me construct this thing in her room.
I mentioned that I was going to make a lead acid battery and she said I should do it in there.

[Calhoun]

About that nuclear reactor...
Also, I want to do something with electrical engineering.
Hawaii has this BOE Recognition Diploma that you can get with good grades and a senior project.
The project just has to be something you're interested in, which for me is electrical engineering.

Anyway, I think my science teacher may be willing to let me construct this thing in her room.
I mentioned that I was going to make a lead acid battery and she said I should do it in there.

Hmm. I'm not sure if coil guns would be legally forbidden in schools or not. Holy shit, MAJOR LOOPHOLE!

My father is an electrical engineer. Maybe next time we talk i can bring up the subject, see what he has to say.

[dragnar]

Hmm. I'm not sure if coil guns would be legally forbidden in schools or not. Holy shit, MAJOR LOOPHOLE!

"It's just an electromagnet setup Mr. Principal. It's not my fault someone stuck a small piece of metal inside, causing it to blast a hole in the gym wall." Yeah, that's real likely to work.

[piecewise]

http://reactor1967.fortunecity.com/

Nothing like building highly dangerous things with plans you found on the internet!

Also, if you want to do electrical engineering, build a death ray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-orAgas6K8
http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=27_82

I've also got plans for a titan nuclear missile.

Hmm. I'm not sure if coil guns would be legally forbidden in schools or not. Holy shit, MAJOR LOOPHOLE!

"It's just an electromagnet setup Mr. Principal. It's not my fault someone stuck a small piece of metal inside, causing it to blast a hole in the gym wall and tear their arm off." Yeah, that's real likely to work.

Fixed

[Osmosis Jones]

In addition to practically everyone else, I'm saying use capacitors, and charge them from mains/generator shortly before each shot. If you try making the thing portable by giving it batteries, put simply, you'd be better off weight wise lugging a small genny and some fuel than all the Pb/SO4 batteries to power a moderate sized coilgun.

Honestly though, I'd say you're better off building a railgun instead. You get better performance for less effort and you don't have to worry about stuff like sequentially quenching magnets. Coilguns only really advantage over railguns is that you can basicallyl keep tacking magnets on, and increase the distance over which you accelerate the object. Since you're likely to be shooting BBs or nails, i.e. things that can handle a short sharp acceleration, stick to railguns.

[dragnar]

Hmm. I'm not sure if coil guns would be legally forbidden in schools or not. Holy shit, MAJOR LOOPHOLE!

"It's just an electromagnet setup Mr. Principal. It's not my fault someone stuck a small piece of metal inside, causing it to blast a hole in the gym wall and tear their arm off." Yeah, that's real likely to work.

Fixed

Well I would hope it has a mount of some sort to stop the recoil from killing you. Anyone firing a railgun without that deserves whatever happens to them.