Technabob » pneumatic

Guy Actually Builds a Better Mousetrap

Technabob — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:48:12 +0000

How many times have you heard the phrase “build a better mousetrap,” yet nobody seems to have actually done it? Until now. This modern, high-tech mousetrap is sure to crush the bones of tiny rodentia with greater efficiency and style than ever before.

Built by tinkerer Jake Easton, this mechanical marvel that catches mice with a complex series of solenoids, electronic control circuitry and a heavy-duty pneumatic actuator – all loaded into a shiny polished aluminum case.

After all, why not catch your mice in style?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

While you might think the 40 to 60 PSI of compressed air that power the strike hammer with up to 102 lbs. of force is overkill for catching your fine furry friends, you clearly haven’t seen the mice in my neighborhood.

[via Telovation]

Lethal Pneumatic Ping Pong Gun: ‘Nuff Said.

Lambert Varias — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:45:51 +0000

MAKE magazine fan/artist/inventor/sculptor/prototyper/modern da Vinci Ron Kissinger built an air-powered gun that turns ping pong balls into balls of fury.

The gun has a magazine that can fire up to 14 shots. It takes a few seconds to load the ammo – i.e. a ping pong ball – and prepare the gun, but there’s no doubt that it’s lethal.

Kissinger also injected water into ping pong balls, creating some plywood-destroying, extra strength ammo.

Here’s the gun in action:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Don’t try this at home. You might have too much fun.

[via TinyEnormous via OhGizmo]

Web Gun Catches Thieves Just Like Flies

Technabob — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:17:43 +0000

Why should cops need to zap suspects with dangerous Tazers when they could just catch fleeing criminals using a powerful Spiderman-like web-slinging device instead?

The NET-2000 Shooting Net Rod uses a charge of highly compressed air to fire a net at fleeing suspects from as far as 49 feet away.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

While it doesn’t spin a web of just any old size, it does fire a huge 52 square foot net made of high strength Nylon fiber. While the device may look like an innocuous flashlight when not in use, it sure packs a wallop when fired up.

In addition to law enforcement use, its designed for animal catchers to use in place of traditional manual nets. Importer Chinagrabber is selling the devices for just $419 a piece, but I’d suggest that you check with your local police department before you try to catch stray alley cats with one of these.