17 replies to this topic

[Buffdaddy]

Hey you guys! I'm in the process of collecting pictures of projects on which I need to publish write-ups, so here's a novelty for you!

Hasbro Toy Shop Link


This baby uses a trigger/flywheel system to launch 3" foam discs (storage for 5). Obviously, thus means upping the voltage and looking at other things.

After unscrewing everything:

This shows the trigger mech. You pull the trigger, the spring loaded arm helps to "kick" the bottom disc into the flywheel (there's only one; the other side has a small, free moving wheel for the disc to squeeze past). Even with the spring to even the delivery, there's still a good difference between a lazy pull and a quick one, in terms of distance reached.


There is a door covering the disc launch area; when you pull the trigger, the door lever rotates to let the disc out. I removed the door, but kept the main plastic pivot. Why, you ask? Well, there's a cutoff switch activated when the door is open. So, if you don't want to drain the battery, you can hold the trigger down, and the motors will stop running.


This is the battery compartment; I soldered a 9V battery clip to it, and dremeled out a channel for the battery to sit. Easy enough.

The stock ranges on the box were accurate; with the voltage boost and solid trigger pulls, you can push 45-50 feet. Accuracy is another thing, however; a spinning disc from this thing pulls to one side, in this case the right. So it takes some practice to learn anything resembling aiming. If you angle it right, though, you can get the discs to fly relatively straight - or bend around a corner. Just saying.

[WicketTheModder619]

On the way back from Cataclysm 2, we saw these at target and were so tempted. I decided not to buy it at the time, but you just make me reconsider. Great job man, and I can't wait to see what else you will do to it.

[Ambience 327]

As a fan of shields, I think this is fairly nifty. What are the dimensions of the shield itself? Are the discs similar to those found in the Nerf Disk Shot disc shooter ? (If you are familiar with those that is - they are obviously smaller.)

[Geekonator]

Paired up with a nerf sword, this would be a dominator at melee rounds. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[SonReeceSonJensen]

'Ambience 327', on 06 Jun 2011 - 4:16 PM, said:

As a fan of shields, I think this is fairly nifty.

I agree, this might have war practicality (if the rules allow) if you are able to wield a primary while holding the Cap shield. Good find Buff.

One question on integrity: could the shield itself withstand fire from a strong SNAP or a 4B?

[Soothsayer]

This thing has my vote as another war acceptable shield alongside the manta ray. It will be a legal shield at any of my wars, personally.

[Soothsayer]

'Just Some Bob', on 07 Jun 2011 - 07:27 AM, said:

While I agree, I think we would require that, like the Manta, a blaster could not be carried at the same time unless firmly attached to the shield.

Follow the exact same guidelines as the manta, agreed.

[Buffdaddy]

'Ambience 327', on 06 Jun 2011 - 4:16 PM, said:

As a fan of shields, I think this is fairly nifty. What are the dimensions of the shield itself? Are the discs similar to those found in the Nerf Disk Shot disc shooter ? (If you are familiar with those that is - they are obviously smaller.)

The shield is about 13" diameter. The discs are Disc Shot thickness, but not nearly as wide, only 3 inches or so.

'SonReeceSonJensen', on 07 Jun 2011 - 12:50 AM, said:

I agree, this might have war practicality (if the rules allow) if you are able to wield a primary while holding the Cap shield. Good find Buff.

One question on integrity: could the shield itself withstand fire from a strong SNAP or a 4B?

The plastic is fairly sturdy, so I'd say it can take some good abuse.

'Soothsayer', on 08 Jun 2011 - 02:43 AM, said:

Follow the exact same guidelines as the manta, agreed.

Yep. Willing to try it Saturday at the Columbus War, see if shooting discs can be at all effective.

[taerKitty]

Odd q, but would firing it 'gansta style', so the discs are vertical, fix the 'pull to one side' problem?

[shardbearer]

That would definitely decrease range though. Id say half the current range, maybe less. But this is still cool. Have you thought about making the spinning wheel no longer spin, so that you get maximum spin off the disc? That would make it more stable, predictable, and accurate, much like a frisbee, though it would curve more. You could also put on a guideline, maybe a literal line or a scope that would point how far the disc would curve.

Edited by shardbearer, 11 June 2011 - 04:56 PM.

[Buffdaddy]

'taerKitty', on 08 Jun 2011 - 2:23 PM, said:

Odd q, but would firing it 'gansta style', so the discs are vertical, fix the 'pull to one side' problem?

'shardbearer', on 11 Jun 2011 - 9:55 PM, said:

That would definitely decrease range though. Id say half the current range, maybe less. But this is still cool. Have you thought about making the spinning wheel no longer spin, so that you get maximum spin off the disc? That would make it more stable, predictable, and accurate, much like a frisbee, though it would curve more. You could also put on a guideline, maybe a literal line or a scope that would point how far the disc would curve.

Shooting vertical would make it go straight....if you did it perfectly. But yeah, you'd have no gliding whatsoever.

The wheel idea is definitely something to try. Hopefully I remember to stick this in the trunk tomorrow to test at work (large open space, woo!) after I get done with sampling.

[KitAdrian]

'Just Some Bob', on 07 Jun 2011 - 07:27 AM, said:

While I agree, I think we would require that, like the Manta, a blaster could not be carried at the same time unless firmly attached to the shield.

C'mon, it's Captain America's shield. He always had a pistol/sidearm in his free hand.

[makeitgo]

Since this is probably a kind of precursor to the upcoming Vortex series I'm actually not turned off by the non-aiming aspect. I actually like the idea of "curving" the disc. Similar to curving a 'frisby'. With practice, a certain degree of accuracy can be achieved. I'm looking at this as a completely different weapon in the foam arsenal.

Where our current blasters are contingent on a steady hand for 'straight' shots, I could see the disk shooters as a type of 'whipping while firing blaster'. Pardon the reference to an awful movie, but we can potentially "curve" the bullet as it were.

[Kyrativ]

What if you were buy an equivalent size/power motor and install it in the place of the free spinning wheel, you get more power and even the accuracy out.

[Buffdaddy]

'Kyrativ', on 06 Jul 2011 - 7:13 PM, said:

What if you were buy an equivalent size/power motor and install it in the place of the free spinning wheel, you get more power and even the accuracy out.

So you're basically proposing trying to throw a frisbee without any spin?

Think about that for a second.

[Demon Lord]

'Kyrativ', on 06 Jul 2011 - 7:13 PM, said:

What if you were buy an equivalent size/power motor and install it in the place of the free spinning wheel, you get more power and even the accuracy out.

That idea would work with a flywheel blaster that fires darts, but disks require spin to even have any chance of flying.

[Kyrativ]

Oh right right right I see what you guys are saying...would it be possible then to wrap some e tape around the free spinning wheel to add more pressure on the motorized wheel, more intense of a curve but also more range.

[Benbo231]

'Kyrativ', on 07 Jul 2011 - 04:20 AM, said:

Oh right right right I see what you guys are saying...would it be possible then to wrap some e tape around the free spinning wheel to add more pressure on the motorized wheel, more intense of a curve but also more range.

If you're willing to make the tradeoff, sure. It'll curve, but it should go farther (assuming you're not squashing the disk into a taco-shape, there is a limit to how much they should compress). Give it a shot, and let me know how it turns out. E-tape's not the most permanant stuff ever, so if it doesn't help, you should be able to just peel it off.