8/11 - BurntLatke.com has moved again to another new server. Thanks so much to everyone who visits. Don't worry about this page disappearing, it's not goin' anywhere.

7/04 - BurntLatke.com has moved to a new server. This doesn't mean much to the average visitor. One notable change might be the addition of a working email address on the soon to be redesigned (maybe) homepage.

1/04 - Construction tips for a pneumatic BB machine gun are available in the build section. There are no plans for Burnt Latke to include pneumatic spud launchers in the future. This one however was too fun to pass up.

11/03 - RatCalc Live is available in the build section. RatCalc Live is an online chamber to barrel ratio calculator available for those without Excel. RatCalc Live performs the same functions and uses the same math as the Excel version which is also available for download. The Excel version of RatCalc has been updated to v1.5c to include SDR golf ball barrels.

10/03 - The IPLA Northwest Shootout was held in Olympia, WA. September 27, the day of the Jewish new year Rosh Hashanah. No Latke's were eaten, just a BBQ and spudguns.

8/03 - The new L3 launcher is complete and posted in the launch section of Burnt Latke. The 2.5" chamber to barrel ratio test is online. The test was conducted on the L3 launcher using tennis balls as ammo and took advantage of the L3's unique 3" chamber opening.

6/03 - The Spark Strip has been added to the build section of BurntLatke. Check out this new streamlined approach to electrode placement.

5/03 - A new, 1.5" chamber to barrel ratio test has been completed using spuds and 1.5" gasket slugs. New developments from this test include the tarp and bucket backstop and the disposable chamber fan. Also new in May, the chamber fan controller circuit has been updated. The new design fixes a serious problem with unintentional battery drain when the unit was not in use. A special thank you goes out to a BurntLatke visitor / contributor Jonathan H. "CKOD" who solved the battery drain problem by adding a couple key components to the circuit. The revised fan controller circuit is available here.

4/03 - Have you joined the IPLA? The International Potato Launching Association has been created to help builders contact each other and establish a functioning organization within the spud launching community. The IPLA is free to join and new members are always welcome. New at BurntLatke in the build section is the chamber fan and the 99% fan controller. The chamber fan is a new modification which can add a touch of class and a kick of power to your launcher. The 1.5" gasket slug is being fired at speeds over 450 MPH with great success using a new backstop and the L1 launcher. The backstop is a 5 gallon paint container filled with plastic wrap. The 1.5" gasket slug and backstop will be used for the upcoming 1.5" C:B tests. Check back soon for more information, now go join the IPLA.

2/03 - An extensive test has been conducted to determine the fastest chamber to barrel ratio per volume. In the process, a new test ammunition was developed called the gasket slug. Gasket slugs are giving us the most consistent velocities to date but have only been used with 3/4" barrels. 1.5" gaskets are in development for future C:B tests on the full sized L1 launcher. The test and the data it provided is intended to help builders make educated decisions about barrel design and performance.

1/03 - What's new? Well the new what's new page is new. This page has been created to inform regular visitors of new content and current test results. The what's new page can only be accessed via the newly created pulldown navigation menu. The pull down navigation allows you to link to any area of Burnt Latke with a single click. January saw many important developments including the creation of the miniL1 Launcher. The miniL1 is a 1/2 scale testbed launcher which doubles as a reliable, powerful handheld. Performance tests will be carried out on the miniL1 at our indoor range with the benefit of smaller test ammo and fuel savings. The successful modifications will then be implemented into full sized launcher construction. Another important piece of test equipment has been purchased, accurate gauges for measuring fuel pressure. These affordable, grade B gauges feature 1 psi increments on the dial face and 2% accuracy mid scale. 0-60psi gauges were chosen as our average fuel pressures of 20-40 psi register near mid scale. The gauges are available from McMaster Carr for about $10 each, their part #3846K28. A new page titled test standards and equipment has been added to describe the procedures and equipment used in our independent testing.

12/02 - RatCalc 1.5b is available in the performance calculators section of Burnt Latke. RatCalc is a slightly interactive, dynamic calculator for determining chamber to barrel combustion ratios. Version 1.5b features SmartGuess technology to simplify common chamber measurements. RatCalc is available only as an Excel download with plans for an online version in the works. In December, Burnt Latke purchased a chronograph to measure the muzzle velocity of test ammunition. A Chrony F1 brand chronograph was chosen for it's accuracy, durability and ease of operation. The first test was to calculate the optimum fuel mix for our L1 launcher with propane and MAPP gas. The results showed the chronograph to be a valuable instrument for comparative testing.

Site Navigation what's new.. home what safety build -direct propane -lp valve threading -magnetic lp holder -stun gun ignition -chamber short -spark strip -solvent welding -fluid measurement -cleanout cleanup -chamber fan -fan controller -pass-thru barrel -slug cutter -guano grip -Pacific Grip -PVC rockets -laser guidance -FuelTool-RatCalc -BB machine gun launch -L3 launcher system -L1 first test -MiniL1 launcher -rifled barrel test -test standards -LP MAPP / russets -3/4" C:B ratio test -1.5" C:B ratio test -2.5" C:B ratio test -IPLA NW shootout links