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How to Make Water Shooters Out of PVC Pipe

Water shooters can come in many different styles. As long as the item shoots water, you're pretty much set. While this is true, water shooters made out of PVC pipe tend to last longer than water shooters you can purchase. Water shooters from PVC pipes use a plunger type system to pull water into the pipe and push it at the intended target. Making your own water shooter also gives you the ability to customize the shooting pattern and distance with a few little changes.

Things You'll Need

30 inch, 2-inch diameter PVC pipe
2PVC end caps, 2-inch diameter
Drill
2-inch drill bit
¾-inch drill bit
Screw drill bit
Epoxy glue
Screw
2-inch wooden disk
36-inch, 2-inch diameter dowel rod
Sandpaper
Thick rubber band
Rag
PVC primer
PVC cement
Bucket

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a 2-inch hole in the center of one of the PVC end caps. Use a titanium general-use drill bit and with a constant speed while drilling the PVC pipe. Drill a ¾-inch hole in the center of the remaining PVC end cap.
- 2
  Drill a pilot hole with the screw drill bit into the center of the wooden disk and into the center of the end of the dowel rod. Add a small amount of epoxy glue to the top of the drilled holes. Place the wooden disk on top of the dowel and screw the two pieces together. The epoxy will help bond the two pieces together and keep them watertight.
- 3
  Sand the outside edge of the wooden disk. The disk needs to fit snuggly into the 2-inch diameter PVC pipe with the rubber band around the outside edge. Test the wooden disk spacing by placing the rubber band around the disk and inserting it into the PVC pipe. If it is too large, remove the rubber band and sand some more. Once you're satisfied with the fit remove the rubber band and wipe away any debris.
- 4
  Apply a small amount of epoxy glue to the outside edge of the wooden disk. Use your finger to distribute the glue around the surface. Wrap the rubber band around the 2-inch wood disk over the epoxy to form a gasket. Allow to dry. This is the water mechanism for the water shooter. Insert the water plunger into the 2-inch PVC pipe.
- 5
  Prepare the pipe with PVC primer to clean the surface. Use the cotton swab to rub the primer on both ends of the PVC pipe and on the outside and the inside edges of both end caps where they will connect. Allow the primer to dry. Make sure to refer to the package directions, and follow them if different.
- 6
  Apply PVC cement to the previously primed areas. Again, make sure to follow the package directions. Once the glue is applied press the end caps onto the ends of the PVC pipe. Twist the end cap to the right ¼ inch to help adhere the glue to the surfaces and ensure they are watertight. Allow the cement to dry.
- 7
  Fill the water shooter with water by lowering the end into a bucket of water and slowly pulling the dowel rod out of the PVC pipe. After the canister is full of water, move the tip of the water shooter up to keep the water from shooting out. Find a target to aim at and quickly push the plunger mechanism into the PVC tube to shoot the water.

Backyard Toys