13 replies to this topic

[Ryan201821]

After the old mobstacles (seen here), finally destroyed themselves, we decided to make new ones.

Materials:
4' lengths of 3/4" PVC
3/4" PVC Snap clamps
3/4" PVC Snap Tees (per 100)
5' x 20' Blue Tarps

Step One:

Cut 4' pieces of 3/4" PVC. Weld your Snap T's onto each end. We used MEK.





Step Two:

Cut half as many 4' segments of 3/4" PVC. These will be used for the vertical segments.

Step Three:

Snap the horizontal pieces (Snap T segments) onto the vertical segments with your foot.



Step Four:

Repeat until you achieve desired polygon/wall



Step Five:

Time to put the tarps on ya'll.



Use the Snap clamps to secure the tarps to the PVC.

And you're done.







===================

The beauty of these mobstacles is that they are completely customizable. You can make any polygon, or just make Effeminate long walls. They are also cheaper, easier to assemble and disassemble, and more rigid.

Cost per cube (if purchased in bulk, which you should:

8 Snap Clamps: $3.09
5x 20' Tarp: $5.00
16 Snap T's: $7.89
(12) 4' x 3/4" PVC: $7.08
==============
$23.06

Edited by Aeromech, 23 November 2015 - 01:29 AM.

[KaneTheMediocre]

Just wanted to note that a pair of squares (half of a cube mobstacle) can be set up at an angle under low wind conditions, which provides slightly more cover than the cube while using half the materials.

If you have a strong nerf community in your area and want to host good wars, I highly recommend taking advantage of the "buy the box" option as I did. Saves $$, although it's still expensive no matter how you

Also note that thin superglue will probably hold almost as well as MEK, although the fast drying time may make it difficult to get the clamps straight before they set. PVC cement will also probably do the job, although I think that it's a pain in the ass.

One advantage to these over our previous mobstacles is that the 4' sides make these fit in cars. 5' segments are just slightly too long to fit in anything. Unfortunately that means you will likely end up with a bunch of 2' leftover segments, which we have not yet found a use for (Hopefully some of them will become a more reasonably sized core for DTC). If you really want, you can make these with 5' or even larger sides, but beware they will likely be terrible to transport. Personally, I think the 4' size is better than 5' because it forces people to duck more if they want to be covered by the mobstacle, and gives more non-face target area to standing nerfers of average height. Also, the new style of covering discourages people going inside the mobstacles. I always planned on making a rule against that, as it encourages camping, but it was always too funny to stop when it happened.

[RedShot]

Wow these look nice! thanks for the plans! I will have to try this out some time because at our wars we dont have a large amount of cover so at least one or two of those would be nice. Also thanks for the links, that really does help!

[Daniel Beaver]

These worked out great at Chano4. The ease of construction/breakdown cannot be underestimated, nor can the "it actually fits in your car" factor.

[Ambience 327]

Not to mention the fact that the shapes can be customized means you can more easily tailor them to the wind situation. We had really high winds at CHANO4, and we found that a triangle shape held up pretty well placed on one of the sides, while still providing usable cover - albeit with serious crouching required.

[Eh Watt]

These caused me to blurt out: "Wow! This is fantastic!" during Math class. Awesome job, Ryan, these are a vast improvement over the last one, in pretty much every way! Modularity, compactness, etc. Bring some down to Minnesota sooner or later!

[LotusNerf]

Would it be a good idea to angle the cut on the 3/4" PVC for it to pike into the grass to make it very steady (even with wind)?

And these should be a must-have for any war host for when open fields get boring.

[Ryan201821]

Would it be a good idea to angle the cut on the 3/4" PVC for it to pike into the grass to make it very steady (even with wind)?

Definitely not. Adding sharp corners to things that people may be occasionally running into is a terrible idea. Even if it is theoretically supposed to be into the ground. As is, I try wrapping the tarp around the ends of the PVC, so it's less likely someone rapes themselves.

If you must, I'd use ground stakes. It's also nice to be able to move them around between rounds quickly, so I avoid securing them into the ground.

The mobstacles stay up fine on their own, and even in very very high wind conditions. They are also easy to quickly set back up if they do happen to fall over.

[Edible Autopsy]

Would it be a good idea to angle the cut on the 3/4" PVC for it to pike into the grass to make it very steady (even with wind)?

Definitely not. Adding sharp corners to things that people may be occasionally running into is a terrible idea. Even if it is theoretically supposed to be into the ground. As is, I try wrapping the tarp around the ends of the PVC, so it's less likely someone rapes themselves.

If you must, I'd use ground stakes. It's also nice to be able to move them around between rounds quickly, so I avoid securing them into the ground.

The mobstacles stay up fine on their own, and even in very very high wind conditions. They are also easy to quickly set back up if they do happen to fall over.

Yeah, There very easy to set up after our core decides to run 80 feet. Haha.

[KaneTheMediocre]

Would it be a good idea to angle the cut on the 3/4" PVC for it to pike into the grass to make it very steady (even with wind)?

Definitely not. Adding sharp corners to things that people may be occasionally running into is a terrible idea. Even if it is theoretically supposed to be into the ground. As is, I try wrapping the tarp around the ends of the PVC, so it's less likely someone rapes themselves.

If you must, I'd use ground stakes. It's also nice to be able to move them around between rounds quickly, so I avoid securing them into the ground.

The mobstacles stay up fine on their own, and even in very very high wind conditions. They are also easy to quickly set back up if they do happen to fall over.

Yeah, There very easy to set up after our core decides to run 80 feet. Haha.

Using these as cores has been fun and interesting, but we really need to do something smaller than 4' square, and yet still larger than a shoebox. One day I'll get around to making a 2' elevated cube for a core. Also, the whole runaway core thing is a huge problem, and it's not the first time that happened.

[Demon Lord]

*snip*

*snip*
*snip*

Yeah, There very easy to set up after our core decides to run 80 feet. Haha.

Using these as cores has been fun and interesting, but we really need to do something smaller than 4' square, and yet still larger than a shoebox. One day I'll get around to making a 2' elevated cube for a core. Also, the whole runaway core thing is a huge problem, and it's not the first time that happened.

Ground stakes would be a good idea, or tying it to a tree or three might work as well.

[SonReeceSonJensen]

LEGIT INFO!

I just placed and order and it must be made clear: DO NOT get the "firm" snaps. They are very hard to get on and off and destroy tarps. The other kind is plenty strong for this use.

[Bubben246]

Just wanted to note that a pair of squares (half of a cube mobstacle) can be set up at an angle under low wind conditions, which provides slightly more cover than the cube while using half the materials.

If you have a strong nerf community in your area and want to host good wars, I highly recommend taking advantage of the "buy the box" option as I did. Saves $$, although it's still expensive no matter how you

Also note that thin superglue will probably hold almost as well as MEK, although the fast drying time may make it difficult to get the clamps straight before they set. PVC cement will also probably do the job, although I think that it's a pain in the ass.

One advantage to these over our previous mobstacles is that the 4' sides make these fit in cars. 5' segments are just slightly too long to fit in anything. Unfortunately that means you will likely end up with a bunch of 2' leftover segments, which we have not yet found a use for (Hopefully some of them will become a more reasonably sized core for DTC). If you really want, you can make these with 5' or even larger sides, but beware they will likely be terrible to transport. Personally, I think the 4' size is better than 5' because it forces people to duck more if they want to be covered by the mobstacle, and gives more non-face target area to standing nerfers of average height. Also, the new style of covering discourages people going inside the mobstacles. I always planned on making a rule against that, as it encourages camping, but it was always too funny to stop when it happened.

Why not use those 2-foot segments as feet for your walls, or maybe even as knee-knocker barriers?

[KaneTheMediocre]

Why not use those 2-foot segments as feet for your walls...?

More work to assemble, slight tripping hazard, the extra coupler costs $$, and alignment problems.

...or maybe even as knee-knocker barriers?

Wouldn't those would knock knees?

Edited by KaneTheMediocre, 24 January 2015 - 12:57 AM.