17 replies to this topic

[SonReeceSonJensen]

I found these long foam batons at Axman for $7. It is lightweight yet sturdy, similar to the white plastic packing you get a TV packed in. This is one piece cut in half to fit in my car.

This was months ago so I did not even own an Ironman Rocket yet but I knew I had to get a piece and find a way to make Super Stephen. However, I now can fire them from this baby here.
http://nerfhaven.com...=0

This is one piece cut in half to fit in my car. 4” diameter, 8’ length. My cat is “helping” as she often does.


Using basic math to figger the size ratio of a 1” Stephen I cut an 8” length with a Hacksaw.


I used a ¾” coring bit I got in a lock drilling set. This is the exact diameter of the Ironman tank barrel. I had to make several goes at it as well as scraping the inside with a spade bit to get enough material out.


I shaved the end with a small hacksaw to at least imply aerodynamics.


TIP: After some carving I got rid of the rough edges and evened it out by holding it over the flame of a gas stove for 2-3 seconds. I imagine a campfire would do as well.

Add a little aesthetics…


And fire!


Ranges: 30-40 feet. It is low because the Bullet Bill itself starts to tail and spin and become emblazed in suck.

There are many improvements possible
• Proper way to weight the tip. You can contribute here http://nerfhaven.com...=0
• Fins or the like
• Length change
• Internal material removal variations
• Firing from a barrel instead of like it is here

Discuss! Or flame. This is not exactly something to be used in every round, but when you see me rolling up with a pillow case of Bullet Bills know I’m gonna do everything it takes to put one in The Core or square into your chest while you reload.

Edited by SonReeceSonJensen, 23 July 2009 - 10:07 PM.

[CA13]

Those are cool. Maybe you could make the Demoman's grenade launcher from TF2. I'd suggest cutting them shorter (by about 3 inches) or figure out a way to taper one end. They came out nicely, though.

[Zorns Lemma]

Suggestions:

Make them long enough to fit nicely over the barrel.
Consider boring into the back some more and drop in a bag of pennies for a quick weight.
Also, add fins.

[father time]

[
And fire!
http://s566.photobuc...ew¤t=07222.flv

Your link isn't working.

[ggk]

Here is the link to the video.
http://s566.photobuc...rrent=07222.flv

Cool idea too bad the stuff is not really practical.

[SonReeceSonJensen]

Video fixed, I think you need that for full effect.

Suggestions:

Make them long enough to fit nicely over the barrel.
Consider boring into the back some more and drop in a bag of pennies for a quick weight.
Also, add fins.

I just finished a jug of milk, I think that would be good fin material. I will make sure to add a bit of a spiral to the action.

I will also make an 18” one to cover the full length of the blast tube and see what happens.

Those are cool. Maybe you could make the Demoman's grenade launcher from TF2. I'd suggest cutting them shorter (by about 3 inches) or figure out a way to taper one end.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Not sure what any of that meant though. I did a quick search and only found pics of the guy and his grenade launcher itself but not the ammo.

[Fome]

2 things I think would improve performance drastically.

1. Drill the hole longer. You've heard of reverse plungers, well large projectiles like the titan rocket, arrows, and that are essentially reverse barrels. If you're not giving the projectile enough time to actually take advantage of all that air (ie. imagine a tiny barrel on a titan), then it's wasted and your performance will be hindered.

2. Some kind of stabilizer is obviously necessary. Using both weights and fins is somewhat redundant. It's really easy to test too. Simply tape some pennies or spare nuts to the front and fire. Add more pennies/nuts until the projectile flies consistently straight. If it begins to "dive" prematurely, then you know you've added too many.

If you're going to stabilize the projectile with fins then the most important thing is getting that helical tilt correctly. "Flat" fins do very little to stabilize and will cause your projectile to fly erratically (imagine a poorly made paper airplane). Fins that are helical cause your projectile to spin, this spinning motion keeps everything nice and centered.

Hope that helped!

[SonReeceSonJensen]

Hope that helped!

You are two for two on legit helpful posts, thanks man.

[Bedhed117]

Nice work dude. This is the second improvement in non-standardized projectiles in the last few weeks. I'm glad people are starting to take interest in these things.

[analogkid]

Just bore a hole in the other side big enough for washers, pennies, other coinage, et certera. Then add your weights and close the hole with hot glue and a foam plug made out of a scrap piece or something. No metal exposed and properly weighted. These would actually be really cool to play a round with.

Edited by analogkid, 23 July 2009 - 08:43 PM.

[DartzDude]

Cool, you could make different types of rockets. Now all you need is to mod a titan to look like some kind of mario gun and u have the Mario Bomber! Nice Job

Edited by DartzDude, 23 July 2009 - 08:47 PM.

[Echnalaid]

Do they fall if you jump on them?

By the by, your video won't work.

Edited by Echnalaid, 23 July 2009 - 09:46 PM.

[Fome]

At these speeds, and without machine assembly, attempting to impart spin by canting the fins will not help significantly. Fins that are not precisely angled and precisely balanced with one another will just be uneven drag.

While it's true that a perfect projectile will fly better than an imperfect projectile. An imperfect projectile can still fly, quite well too, depending on the degree of imperfection.

For all practical, nerf-related purposes, fins can be added to large projectiles with great success.

[nightfinder]

Mario Cart.. Kick ass idea.. Now you need to get them to be grey..

Edited by nightfinder, 24 July 2009 - 11:06 AM.

[Fome]

While it's true that a perfect projectile will fly better than an imperfect projectile. An imperfect projectile can still fly, quite well too, depending on the degree of imperfection.

For all practical, nerf-related purposes, [canted] fins can be added to large projectiles with great success.

You completely ignored my point. Straight fins will be a good addition, and I never said otherwise.

But any non-precision attempts to cant the fins to produce spin will detract from accuracy. In general, such missiles will fly a sort of "corkscrew" path, if not actually random wanderings.

If you're advocating straight fins over canted ones, then no, I did not ignore your point. I'm sorry it seemed that way. See the brackets in my original quoted post to see more clearly what I meant.

May I ask what you're basing this position on, be it theory or practical experience?

My imperfectly canted homemade arrows seem to work just fine. They are more accurate than the straight-finned versions I tested earlier in the process. Keep in mind, there is very little weight in the front of my arrows, which may have an effect on performance. There are too many variables in this argument, experimenting is a must, and I would definitely recommend that the OP do so.

[SonReeceSonJensen]

I would definitely recommend that the OP do so.

Dammit, now I have to actually PRODUCE things

On it, just waiting till I finish the rest of a tub of Yogurt so I can use the plastic lid for material. Then actually do it. Might be a few days…

I say congrats on an actually productive thread, I will post again here when I have a few more prototypes.

[Talio]

While it's true that a perfect projectile will fly better than an imperfect projectile. An imperfect projectile can still fly, quite well too, depending on the degree of imperfection.

For all practical, nerf-related purposes, fins can be added to large projectiles with great success.

You completely ignored my point. Straight fins will be a good addition, and I never said otherwise.

But any non-precision attempts to cant the fins to produce spin will detract from accuracy. In general, such missiles will fly a sort of "corkscrew" path, if not actually random wanderings.

Bob people are aloud to ignore you. They are custom to it, because you make posts like this. Calm the fuck down.

[Judging Eagle]

SonReeceSonJensen,

How would something like pre-cored pool noodle work for this project?

The pipe that is used to launch it would have to suit the inner diameter of the core; but the fact that you don't need to drill mught be handy. You would have to put a cap though.

Also, have you built any of the smaller arrows that Fome built? and if so, how would you compare them to your Bullet Bill?

I'm interested by this for a project of my own, but I was originally thinking of using Fome's arrows. However, I can see promise in building very large missiles that are launched at higher velocity; since upon striking, they would spread their force of impact across a larger area.

Saftey is one of the biggest issues with the project that I'm working on (an other is apperance); one that most nerfers can usually ignore since most people wear goggles, or try to avoid headshots, to keep things safe.

Thanks for your time.

Edited by Judging Eagle, 30 July 2009 - 11:53 PM.