{"id":105846,"date":"2021-08-29T12:07:22","date_gmt":"2021-08-29T17:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/?p=105846"},"modified":"2021-09-25T08:01:00","modified_gmt":"2021-09-25T13:01:00","slug":"how-to-make-a-pvc-blowgun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/skills\/how-to\/how-to-make-a-pvc-blowgun\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a PVC Blowgun"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/a><\/p>\n

With our archives now 3,500+ articles deep, we\u2019ve decided to republish a classic piece each Sunday to help our newer readers discover some of the best, evergreen gems from the past. This article was originally published in August 2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

Is there anything you can\u2019t make out of PVC? We\u2019ve already shown you how to make a bow<\/a>, a potato cannon,<\/a> and a marshmallow shooter<\/a> out of PVC, so it\u2019s only natural that we continue adding to your plumbing-sourced arsenal with a PVC blowgun.  <\/p>\n

Blowguns have been around for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples in South America and Southeast Asia used them primarily for hunting, shooting small seeds, poisoned darts, and handmade clay pellets at birds and other small game.  <\/p>\n

Modern blowguns may look a little different than their pre-Columbian ancestors, but the way they work is exactly the same. Snug-fitting darts or projectiles are loaded into the tube and propelled by blowing hard into the end of the chamber. The pressurized air sends the projectile hurtling through the barrel until it launches out the other side toward the target.  <\/p>\n

Making a blowgun out of PVC is very easy, primarily because there are so many adjustments and substitutions you can make and still get a very functional blowgun. Here\u2019s how to make a basic version, but feel free to experiment with different projectile types, PVC lengths and diameters, and mouthpiece adapters.<\/p>\n

Supplies<\/h3>\n

\"Supplies<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. 1\/2-inch Schedule 40 PVC (3\u2019-5\u2019 in length)<\/li>\n
  2. 1\/2-inch to 3\/4-inch adapter for mouthpiece (optional)<\/li>\n
  3. Scotch tape<\/li>\n
  4. Scissors<\/li>\n
  5. Pen<\/li>\n
  6. Handful of 8d nails<\/li>\n
  7. Post-It notes<\/li>\n
  8. Hot glue gun (or super glue)<\/li>\n
  9. Camo duct tape (optional, but cool)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to Make a PVC Blowgun<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Step 1: Get Started On Your Dart(s)<\/h3>\n

    \"Step<\/p>\n

    First grab a Post-It note and cut out one quarter of it, discarding the square.<\/p>\n

    \"Rolled<\/p>\n

    \"Post-It<\/p>\n

    Roll your remaining Post-It note into a cone shape and use a piece of tape to hold it in place.<\/p>\n

    \"Trimming<\/p>\n

    Trim off the tip of your cone so that a nail just barely fits through it.<\/p>\n

    Step 2: Insert Nail<\/h3>\n

    \"Nail<\/p>\n

    Put a dab of hot glue or super glue on the head of your nail and then pass it through the cone.<\/p>\n

    \"A<\/p>\n

    The head of the nail should rest snugly against the bottom of your Post-It cone.<\/p>\n

    Step 3: Finish Dart<\/h3>\n

    \"Step<\/p>\n

    Place the dart in your 1\/2-inch PVC pipe and use a pen to trace a line around the cone where they meet.<\/p>\n

    \"Tracing<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s best if the line you trace is just above the lip of the PVC pipe. This will make the cone slightly bigger than the inner diameter of the pipe and give you a tighter-fitting, more effective dart.<\/p>\n

    \"A<\/p>\n

    \"Removed<\/p>\n

    Remove the dart from the PVC and trim the excess paper off above the line you just traced.<\/p>\n

    Step 4: Test the Fit<\/h3>\n

    \"A<\/p>\n

    Place the dart into the PVC pipe and use your thumb to push it in until it\u2019s flush with the end of your pipe. If it goes in with just a touch of resistance, you’re good to go. <\/p>\n

    Step 5: Attach Mouthpiece<\/h3>\n

    \"PVC<\/p>\n

    Attach your PVC adapter to the end of the pipe where your dart is. This is entirely optional. My own take: the mouthpiece made it easier and more comfortable to catch your entire breath, but you may lose a bit of power in the transition.<\/p>\n

    Step 6: Shoot!<\/h3>\n