36 replies to this topic

[Skitzo]

A thrown parachute grenade that can drop 15 darts on opponents, say hiding behind a car.
Right now i have two working prototypes one dropping 5 darts another dropping 15 both with about a 2 1/2 foot spread of foam on the ground
What gave me the idea was this recent post.
You could probably even put it into a gun like that one and launch it but i think throwing it would give you more control of where it goes.
Anyone interested?
If I receive alot of positive feed back Ill give more info maybe even a write up but right now i don't feel like going into lengthy detail about this and having it all go to waste because none likes the idea.
I don't know if its the most practical thing, maybe just a novelty, a distraction, or a waste of 15 perfectly good darts, but i think its pretty cool. (punctuation?)

Don't forget to vote!

-Skitzo

Edited by Skitzo, 13 February 2007 - 07:17 PM.

[Rambo]

You're going to get your ass burnt.

Show me photos and you have my support.

Edited by RAMBO, 13 February 2007 - 06:53 PM.

[Skitzo]

Yeah I know.
I wish I had pics to show but sadly my camera was well um.. destroyed last year in a painful skating accident.
But I assure you I have 2 working prototypes as I said but they only work roughly 70% of the time.
Once I get better materials and my brothers camera I will post pics and maybe even a video but that might be a while.
Like I said I just want to know what people think.
I don't expect you to believe me without pics, just what do you think of the idea.

Edited by Skitzo, 13 February 2007 - 07:11 PM.

[Flaming Hilt]

Well, it beats the plain grenade idea in that instead of shooting a PVC container at them, it merely parachutes down on them. So you've lost most of the danger factor.

I think it has potential.

*waits for pics*

[loni]

I believe that this is a great idea in the making. For the gun to use to launch this could be the titan, for a longe-range attack. Just dont aim at a person cuz you might have a BIG problem on your hands. A write up would be great.

-Loni

Edited by loni, 13 February 2007 - 08:40 PM.

[Grenado]

Actually, any wide-bore guns would work. Wait, are there any wide-bore guns besides the titan? However:

A thrown parachute grenade that can drop 15 darts on opponents

It's an idea for a thrown grenade, not gun-launched.

Edited by Grenado, 13 February 2007 - 09:39 PM.

[Skitzo]

Drew a quick picture

This is only the version that drops 5 darts but the larger works on the same concept.
For weight i used nickels and the ring is cardboard.
The parachute is tied to the pin which is a stefan.

When the parachute deploys the momentum of the weights on the ring pull the stefans and the ring away from the pin.

After the pin is pulled from the middle of the cluster of stefans the stefans have nothing pushing them against the walls of the ring making them fall out.

To prevent the stefans from staying inside the ring and falling in a large mass and preventing the weight from hitting someone on the head I attached a string from the pin to 4 points on the ring keeping the entire assembly together.

Any questions as I know this isn't the best description kinda hard to explain.

Eventually when I do the write up and video it will make more sense.

I really don't know why I or anyone else hasn't thought of this yet it seems so simple.

Edited by Skitzo, 14 February 2007 - 08:58 AM.

[Retiate]

That's actually a pretty good idea. If it just had more spread on it I think it would be very effective. How high do you have to throw it for it to work?

[KBarker]

That's a very clever and simple mechanism, seems like it would work quite well. It would be cool though if you could shoot it 100 feet in the air, then it would have a much greater spread and the darts would seem to fall from nowhere at high velocity.

[Skitzo]

That's actually a pretty good idea. If it just had more spread on it I think it would be very effective. How high do you have to throw it for it to work?

That value of 2 1/2 feet of spread is more like 3 and I was only throwing it maybe 15 feet in the air I wasn't trying to launch it because I don't want it going on my roof or getting caught in a tree.
I'm pretty sure the spread depends on the height the parachute is dropped from so maybe throwing/shooting it higher before the parachute opens would give me more spread.

Ill work on getting a larger spread today because its the first snowday of the year.

I could only test it outside 3 times before the cold froze my fingers because it was about 10 degrees and this morning I have 5 inches of snow so... no testing outside for a while.

I found a perfect why of folding the parachute so it opens just as its changing direction or right after and the chute opens in the space of about 3-4 feet roughly estimated maybe less because it happens so fast. I can throw it inside but it isn't as satisfying as throwing the 15 out side and hearing them all hit the ground at the same time with considerable force.

One thing I like about this is that is reusable and the 5 takes less time to load than it takes to fill one clip and prime a magstrike. The 15 takes considerably longer to load because it sort of awkward but it can be done.

Might work on a bigger one today but i think it will be alot bigger, at least 30-40 darts and this probably wont be practical.

Writeup might come within the week or even today so you can start making your own Skitzo Grenades!

Edited by Skitzo, 14 February 2007 - 06:55 AM.

[PvtMcFlurry]

I think that is very engenius (sp). It's a great way for all those stupid noobs to finally get what they want. Nerf grenades. But now your getting onto the subject of Mil-Sim and a lot of people might not allow them at wars. But I happen to think it is a great idea. Can't wait to see it in action. Hell, if it works I'm going to make a couple of my own.

~McFlurry

[Skitzo]

I don't know but I think the spread is based on a combination of hight and the diameter of the ring.

Well I've been messing around for a few hours and I've decided if you have enough darts and are willing to take the time you can make these things infanetly(sp?) large.

I made a ring for a 31 and I'm working on one that drops about 54-55 darts which I'm estimating will have a 5-6 foot spread. But I only have 3 parachutes and 2 are being used by the 5 and 15 and I'm running out of cardboard and string.

I think the most practical size for a Nerf war would be the 15 because it can fit in your pocket and it can be reloaded relatively easy. The 5 would work but the spread is to small. The 31 would work but its pretty hard to reload within a reasonable amount of time and you can forget about the 55.

The 5 is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, the 15 is about 2 1/2, the 31 is about 1/2 and the 55 is you guessed it about 4 1/2.

I look forward to more questions and feedback.

-Skitzo

[Skitzo]

Sorry for the double post but I finished the write up with no pics should I post it as a new topic or add it here?

-Skitzo

Edited by Skitzo, 14 February 2007 - 11:32 AM.

[KBarker]

Sorry for the double post but I finished the write up with no pics should I post it as a new topic or add it here?

-Skitzo

I think here would be best to minimize clutter.

[Skitzo]

Skitzo Grenades
How to make the #5, the #15, the #34and the #55 Skitzo grenades.
Finally a link to send "noobs" and mil-sim people who want "nades".

Materials:
1. Tape
2. 1 in. wide strips of cardboard
3. Toy parachute about 2 ft. in diameter
4. String

5. Nickels, Quarters or some kind of small flat weight
6. For the #5
6 stefans and 1 sacrificial stefan
6. For the #15
16 stefans and 3 sacrificial stefans
6. For the #34
35 stefans and 4 sacrificial stefans
A pic of the #34

6. For the #56
57 stefans and 5 sacrificial stefans
6. For the #76
77 stefans and 6 secrificial stefans
A pic of the #77 without the pin darts

Note: Counting on 56 and up may be off because these things are hard to arrange and count.

2nd Note:My stefans are long, about 2 1/2 inches but im sure it will work with shorter ones.

3rd Note: I'm sure you can make a larger grenade perhaps 90-100 but I don't have enough darts
so if anyone trys to make a larger one id like to hear about it.
Carry on.

Steps:
Step 1. Arrange stefans in a circular symmetrical pattern.
Note: This includes the sacrificial stefans the ones that will be used as the pin or pins
Insert Pic

Step 2. Run a piece of tape around the stefans making a circular bundle of stefans
Insert Pic

Step 3. Take a length of card board and wrap that around the outside of the bundle and tape it in place
Note: Depending on your foam and the size you are making the length of the card board will be different
Also make sure the bundle does not easily move, don't deform the stefans but make sure they are really in there.
Insert Pic

Step 4. Remove stefans from the card board and remove tape from stefans.
Insert Pic?

Step 5. Put stefans back into the cardboard ring in the same pattern as before
Insert Pic

Step 6. Remove one of the stefans from the outer circle of darts.
Insert Pic

Step 7. Take the stefan you removed in Step 6. then load it into your NF and shoot it at your brother, roommate, parent, blowup doll, or imaginary friend. No cats or girlfriends thought i learned that the hard way.
Insert Pic

Step 8. Now make sure the bundle still stays in the card board when thrown at a couch lightly or dropped on the floor
Note: If the stefans fall out go back to Step 3. and make it tighter.
Insert Pic

Step 9. Take the dart from the center of the bundle and tie the parachute onto the back end of it, tape can also be used to keep the knot in place. Then insert the stefan/pin back into the center of the bundle.
Insert Pic

Step 10. If your making the #5 go to Step 13.
Now pick one of the darts touching the center dart, follow that dart in a path to the ring, it should be a straight or slightly curved line of the back sides of stefans.

Step 11. Pull those darts out along with the center dart and tape them all together in a line, as they were in the bundle.

Step 12. Put this assembly back into the bundle

Step 13. Tape nickels or whatever your chosen weight is symmetrically around the ring flat up against the side. I used 2 nickels on my #5 but it doesn't seem to be enough and i used 4 nickels on my #15 and that works fine
Note:I'm not entirely sure how much weight you should use but the tighter the darts are in the ring to more weight you need.

Step 14. Now tape or glue 1 string about 6-7 inches long starting from where you put your weights to the backside of the center dart so that when you pull the center dart out of the bundle there is still about 1-2 inches of slack on the string. Once you have pulled the string taught the ring should lift up and the darts should fall out

Step 15a. For the 5 load the bundle together inserting the center dart first and filling the other darts around it.
Note: The other darts should make a pentagonal shape around the center dart.

Step 15b. For grenades besides the 5 Load the center dart along with the ones taped to it and fill in the rest of the darts around it.
Note: The shape of these doesn't really matter

Step 16. Fold the parachute any way you want as long as it opens. Most people know how to fold a parachute thanks to those tiny little guys you get at arcades which is where i got my parachutes.

Step 17. Wrap the chords loosely around the parachute and place on top of the grenade.

Step 18. Pick up the grenade and throw.

Repeat steps 15 through 18 for best results.
Note : If the pin/pins aren't pulling out, try pulling them out half way or however to make it so they are close to coming out before you throw the grenade. You can think of this as priming the grenade if your into that sort of thing.


I am not liable for any beatings, punishments, property damage, or injuries etc. resulting from Step 7. and, or the making and or using of one or more of these “grenades”.

I broke this down into so many steps in order to make it easier to understand without pictures.

The #34 and the #56 remain untested because i don't have any more parachutes.

Edit Log:
"Edit List:" changed to "Edit Log:"
General grammar and punctuation.
31 changed to a 34 because of a counting error.
55 changed to a 56 because of a counting error.
Added the # 76
Added scanner pics of the #34 and the #76

Any questions?

-Skitzo

Edited by Skitzo, 14 February 2007 - 09:49 PM.

[Grenado]

Are you going to sell these?

[Skitzo]

Are you going to sell these?

I could but I really have no way to except for mail and I don't expect people to trust me with that.
Plus they are fairly easy to make nothing expensive or specialized.
And i don't have any more parachutes.
Oh and i think it would be best if people made them for them selfs so they fit their darts better.

-Skitzo

Edited by Skitzo, 14 February 2007 - 03:25 PM.

[Retiate]

Nice write up. I don't think grenades are just for "stupid noobs", I think they would be cool to have for offense/defense games such as assault or 1 flag.

Would it be possible to make a speed loader for these? Or would making a whole new grenade be a better choice?

And would it be possible to make some sort of funnel-like thing at the bottom of the grenade to increase the spread of the darts?

Nice write up. I don't think grenades are just for "stupid noobs", I think they would be cool to have for offense/defense games such as assault or 1 flag.

Would it be possible to make a speed loader for these? Or would making a whole new grenade be a better choice?

And would it be possible to make some sort of funnel-like thing at the bottom of the grenade to increase the spread of the darts?

[Skitzo]

Nice write up. I don't think grenades are just for "stupid noobs", I think they would be cool to have for offense/defense games such as assault or 1 flag.

Would it be possible to make a speed loader for these? Or would making a whole new grenade be a better choice?

And would it be possible to make some sort of funnel-like thing at the bottom of the grenade to increase the spread of the darts?

I didn't say stupid and I just meant that alot of new people ask for grenades and before now we really didn't have anywhere to send them except for topics with unfinished work or just ideas.

A speed loader would be a good choice for someone who doesn't have many parachutes but I think making a whole other grenade would work better and would be faster in the long run. I can't see needing more than 5 of these for one round so you could just fill your pockets with like 4 and go instead of reloading which you need time and a semi flat surface to do if you have a speed loader or not.

Hmmm a funnel I think I know what you are talking about but this grenade is kinda fragile already it had strings going everywhere that can get tangled, a nice rip able plastic chute, and a body made of cardboard that if you get it wet your done. All you need is is someone to step on it and its totaled. I think more simplicity would be better but I will look into this funnel.

[Retiate]

I didn't say stupid and I just meant that alot of new people ask for grenades and before now we really didn't have anywhere to send them except for topics with unfinished work or just ideas.

That was Pvt. McFlurry. I was just saying that these grenades have a lot of good uses. Now there are the Barricade Busters, and the Skitzo Grenades. Both unique yet simple ideas that prove to be pretty effective.

A speed loader would be a good choice for someone who doesn't have many parachutes but I think making a whole other grenade would work better and would be faster in the long run. I can't see needing more than 5 of these for one round so you could just fill your pockets with like 4 and go instead of reloading which you need time and a semi flat surface to do if you have a speed loader or not.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. What are you using for a parachute? And about how far/high can these be thrown?

Hmmm a funnel I think I know what you are talking about but this grenade is kinda fragile already it had strings going everywhere that can get tangled, a nice rip able plastic chute, and a body made of cardboard that if you get it wet your done. All you need is is someone to step on it and its totaled. I think more simplicity would be better but I will look into this funnel.

Yeah, simplicity is probably the way to go with these. I just think if the spread was somewhere around 5 or 6 ft. then you would be able hit people much easier. But then the funnel would have to be designed really weird otherwise there would just be a ring of darts, missing anyone directly under the grenade.

[Fireshot]

Hmmm a funnel I think I know what you are talking about but this grenade is kinda fragile already it had strings going everywhere that can get tangled, a nice rip able plastic chute, and a body made of cardboard that if you get it wet your done. All you need is is someone to step on it and its totaled. I think more simplicity would be better but I will look into this funnel.

Since the grenade has a parachute attached to it, you could use pvc, thinwall if it comes in diamaters big enough, to make the grenade sturdier. You would probably need a bigger parachute then you are using to make its descent slow enough.

[Skitzo]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. What are you using for a parachute? And about how far/high can these be thrown?

I'm using a parachute from one of those little parachute toys you get at arcades for 100 points.

Yeah, simplicity is probably the way to go with these. I just think if the spread was somewhere around 5 or 6 ft. then you would be able hit people much easier. But then the funnel would have to be designed really weird otherwise there would just be a ring of darts, missing anyone directly under the grenade.

A 2 second paint drawing.
The black is Cardboard
The red is a pencil
And the Grey is a hollowed out Stefan wrapped around the pencil
The pencil is simply pushed through the card board

The darts will slide down the cardboard making them fall further away and the corners where there is no cardboard the darts will drop down.

Since the grenade has a parachute attached to it, you could use pvc, thinwall if it comes in diamaters big enough, to make the grenade sturdier. You would probably need a bigger parachute then you are using to make its descent slow enough.

I thought about that but cardboard is cheaper and can be wrapped perfectly around the bundle of darts where with pvc the darts have to fit into a predetermined diameter unless you can get a very accurate ID.

Edited by Skitzo, 14 February 2007 - 09:27 PM.

[Retiate]

So how will this funnel-like thing shown in your 2 second paint drawing attach to the grenade?

[Grenado]

Do you think we could get some kind of hybrid between this and the Barricade Buster going?

[Fireshot]

Do you think we could get some kind of hybrid between this and the Barricade Buster going?

Take off the funnel and make a shell for it (cardboard wouldn't fire out of an airgun that well) and it would work.