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How to build a simple Plasma Rifle aka Electrothermal Rifle

by geckowil on February 4, 2008

Table of Contents

License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Intro: How to build a simple Plasma Rifle aka Electrothermal Rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Constructing the plasma rifle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 2: Construction tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3: solid state plasma generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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

step 1: Constructing the plasma rifle

We'll show you how to build a small low powered plasma rifle using only common everyday items like a disposable camera for the power supply.. The rifle uses pressure
produced by the several thousand degree plasma produced by a capacitive discharge to launch a projectile across the room. It transforms electrical energy into kinetic
without any motors, gases, explosives or anything else. A great way to amaze your friends. Or have a mini war. Warning high voltages required for the capacitor bank
may cause shock.
Simply watch the embedded video for instructions

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
step 2: Construction tips
If the bb seems to just be rolling out or not even leaving the barrel, shorten the length of the pen till it shoots farthest.
Basically the whole point is to short circuit the capacitors across the steel wool inside of the barrel. For a low power cannon, the electrodes can simply be 2 wires stuck
into the back of the barrel. Higher power cannons will require stronger construction techniques. Beyond a couple joules, wires cant really be used as the electrodes
because they will begin to vaporize along with the steel wool. In a larger version i used 2 stainless steel rods approximately 3/16" thick. i ground the bottom of the rods to
a nearly flat surface, then i drilled a 3/16" hole through a block of teflon that transects a .3" hole for the aluminum barrel. I sealed the breach with a lexan plate and a
neoprene gasket. the 2 steel rods were inserted into their respective holes and were connected to 8 gauge copper wires running directly to the capacitor bank.

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/
step 3: solid state plasma generation
Another configuration that we tested was using a trigatron to initiate the plasma discharge. Basically we built a small chamber with 3 electrodes. 2 were connected directly
to the capacitor bank. the 3rd was connected to the 20 kv output of a flyback transformer. The ground of the transformer was connected to the negative electrode of the
capacitor. The terminals are positioned sufficiently close together so that the hv arc lowers the resistance enough for the capacitors to discharge. The key issue with this
setup is that the electrodes ablate fairly quickly and they must be adjusted every few shots. Also this setup works best with a 500v capacitor bank at around 500 joules.
The Plasma generated actually sears the back of the bb turning it a dark black.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Early attempt at a trigatron 1. Half blackened bb from heat

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
50 comments Add Comment view all 69 comments

imshanedulong says: Sep 23, 2009. 1:04 PM REPLY

Does the steel wool stay so it can be reused?

metrogdor22 says: Dec 30, 2010. 7:27 PM REPLY

Sorry, no. Once you burn steel wool, you can't do it again. You can do the same thing by touching a 9v battery to steel wool, except here, it's expelled
outwards.

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 µF 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: Oct 2, 2009. 8:10 AM REPLY

try using aluminum.

Hightechk says: Sep 26, 2010. 4:23 PM REPLY

or uranium/ plutonium lol
kidding

GSXRPARTNEEDER says: Jun 27, 2010. 12:11 AM REPLY

clean your work area!!!

firefighter1333 says: Sep 3, 2009. 7:00 AM REPLY

500/ 600 FPS???!!! IM SOOOOOOOO GOING TO MAKE THIS IN RIFLE SHAPE!!!

firefighter1333 says: Sep 3, 2009. 7:01 AM REPLY

or pistol...!

Crail says: Aug 15, 2009. 7:54 PM REPLY

so... What do I do if I can't understand anything in the video?

pyrotech25 says: Aug 6, 2009. 10:46 AM REPLY

awsome.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
 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)

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.

mad magoo says: 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?

milamber says: 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

bylerfamily says: Apr 30, 2009. 1:23 PM REPLY

Not a bad idea...

ItsTheHobbs says: Jan 3, 2009. 1:46 PM REPLY

So, basically the steel wool is the "gunpowder", that's lit by an electric charge? That's pretty neat, very original

Xellers says: Jan 9, 2009. 7:34 PM REPLY

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!

teapotking says: 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?

The Red Button says: Dec 26, 2008. 6:14 PM REPLY

LMAO ROFL COPTAH HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHA YEAH RIGHT

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
 teapotking says: Jan 23, 2009. 12:26 PM REPLY
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: Mar 7, 2009. 6:37 PM REPLY

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

DrWeird117 says: Jul 7, 2008. 3:47 AM REPLY

0% plasma, yet 100% pwnage

The 4th Doctor says: Feb 11, 2009. 11:18 PM REPLY

There actually is some plasma in there

DrWeird117 says: Feb 12, 2009. 12:09 AM REPLY

Where?

The 4th Doctor says: 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: Feb 12, 2009. 4:28 PM REPLY

Huh...

The 4th Doctor says: Feb 12, 2009. 5:40 PM REPLY

eh forgets it

pyrohaz says: Jan 30, 2009. 3:41 PM REPLY

Hey, what did you use for a trigger?

DrWeird117 says: Jan 23, 2009. 10:44 PM REPLY

\/\/here I)035 the plasma come from?

AnarchistAsian says: Jul 29, 2008. 1:18 PM REPLY

nice, favorite, +4.5

shoestring92 says: Jul 12, 2008. 6:12 PM REPLY

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: Jun 28, 2008. 2:18 PM REPLY

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

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/
 geckowil says: Jun 24, 2008. 8:45 AM REPLY
sure no prob, sorry but i can only find the button to add it to groups, how do i remove it? thanks

Mattrox says: Jun 25, 2008. 12:52 PM REPLY

never mind i thoght i saw a button that said that but i was wrong. so never mind

Mattrox says: Jun 23, 2008. 3:17 PM REPLY

also can you put some instructions. i think my computer is blocking the vids

duct tape says: May 9, 2008. 8:29 PM REPLY

Awesome! Now I can make a muzzle loading airsoft gun. Although I think the bark is worse than the bit.

geckowil says: Jun 5, 2008. 4:13 PM REPLY

yeah it seams that way, but it does have one hell of a bark, the efficiencies are just too low though

macmaniac says: May 28, 2008. 3:48 AM REPLY

You really need to tidy your workbench. Apart from that, good idea + 'ible

philipster says: May 5, 2008. 5:39 AM REPLY

hi does it Just have to be aluminum or can i use steel or iron for my rails

QwertyuioLP says: May 5, 2008. 4:40 AM REPLY

my computer is real slow with video could you post instructions?

jonrb says: Feb 27, 2008. 7:03 AM REPLY

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: Feb 23, 2008. 11:31 PM REPLY

ok nvm i cant find the rating button but if i manage to, +1 lol

view all 69 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-simple-Plasma-Rifle-aka-Electrother/