Watch a Powerful Homemade Coilgun Wreak Devastation

Coilguns fire projectiles by swapping the explosive force of gunpowder for magnetic force, which is applied via one or more electromagnetic coils along the gun’s barrel. Youtube user Larsplatoon says that he made the coilgun in the video above over the course of two years, and that it has a maximum output of 1.25 kJ. MAKE calculates that this would mean it fires its projectiles with more force than a .45 handgun, and is rightly skeptical; still, it’s quite an impressive feat of homemade handiwork.

If you just want to watch it blast things, skip on ahead to the 2:25 mark.

(MAKE via Gizmodo)

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Robert Quigley