Make a deluxe copper marshmallow shooter

You are probably already familiar with the PVC pipe marshmallow shooter, a classic, fun weekend project. Maybe you already have one. Next time you show up for some gooey, air-powered confectionary warfare, why not come packing some classy heat — the Deluxe Copper Mini Marshmallow Shooter Mk. II!

You’ll build it from lengths of copper pipe and standard fittings. The Dremel Multi-Max will cut your 1/2″ dia. pipe to length with ease, so no more laboring over a hacksaw. Finally, you’ll need some basic pipe soldering skills to put it all together.

Materials:

Dremel Multi-Max oscillating tool and 3/4″ wood/metal flush cut blade. You could also use the Multi-Max MM462 Wood-Metal flush cut blade (1 1/8″ wide).
Copper plumbing pipe (1) 2′ length of 1/2″ internal diameter
1/2″ copper pipe elbows (2)
1/2″ copper end caps (2)
1/2″ copper T joints (2)
Metal files
Bench vise
Propane torch
Lead-free pipe solder and flux
Emery paper
Safety goggles

Optional:
Threaded copper 1/2″ MIP adapter (1), and threaded copper 1/2″ female adapter (1) for unscrewing the barrel
Tape or a latex glove tip for protecting the mouth piece

Download the Project PDF
(Right click to save the PDF to your desktop.)

4 Responses to Make a deluxe copper marshmallow shooter

mcsteve on November 3rd, 2010 at 1:49 pm said:

A Dremel Multi-Max? Not to be too critical; I know Make: has to make money, but this is kinda ridiculous.

“The Dremel Multi-Max will cut your Â½” dia. pipe to length with ease, so no more laboring over a hacksaw.”

Isn’t that a bit like slicing up tinfoil with a plasma cutter? Who uses a hacksaw to cut copper pipe anyway? A pipe cutter works better than a hacksaw, and probably better than a Multi-Max, and costs much much less. No vice required, either…

Don’t get be wrong, I am a huge fan of Make:, and of Dremel, but come on; you’re doing it wrong!

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- Simon on November 3rd, 2010 at 3:48 pm said:
  
  I use a hacksaw to cut 1/2 in copper pipe. Was doing so last night in fact
  
  But yes, my first thought on reading the summary was you must be REALLY unfit if you need to labour over cutting 1/2 inch copper with a hacksaw.
  
  30mm diameter solid steel stock, now that keeps you busy!
  
  Oh, also you should include something in the PDF about washing everything out after soldering. I don’t know what flux you’re using with the lead free solder but if someone gets that wrong and uses the wrong kind it could be a very nasty thing to be sucking on! Most flux is nasty, nasty stuff.
  
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- John Park on November 3rd, 2010 at 4:08 pm said:
  
  Hi Mcsteve, I hear you, and get your point. However, I did go for the possible overkill of using the Multi-Max to cut the pipe and it worked great and was really satisfying to buzz through. You’re dead right that a pipe cutter is an inexpensive tool that’s perfect for the job, but in the Alton Brown vernacular, it’s a uni-tasker. If you happen to have a Multi-Max in your bag of tricks, you’ll start to use it for a zillion different things around the shop and house. I don’t have a pipe cutter, but I found that having the Multi-Max let me go for the project anyway, and the results were great.
  -John
  
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Stephen Samuel on August 29th, 2011 at 5:09 pm said:

Check out this great video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Iv_fwGGMY&feature
Do it yourself: build a marshmallow gun that shoots 80 mph
Find the plans at “http://nxtutorials.com/”

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