Batarang from "Arkham Asylum" Game

This is an instructable for making a replica of the batarang seen in the game “Batman: Arkham Asylum.” I wanted a batarang that unfolded with an action similar that that in the game. Not counting the cost of the tools, which I had already, and the paint (ditto), the entire project cost me about $17 and took perhaps 10 hours.

Step 1: Tools and Shopping List

I decided to make this prototype batarang out of Plexiglass, because a) it is easy to work b) it has no grain and doesn’t splinter or chip c) it is transparent, which helps with aligning the pieces d) it takes a metallic paint better than wood, and, finally, e) I didn’t have access to a metal-cutting bandsaw. Needless to say, you won’t be knocking any thugs unconscious with this one. You probably won’t be throwing it anywhere, either, unless you want to see your hard work shatter into bits.


Shopping list:

.093”x11”x14” Lexan (or Plexiglass) sheet
Furniture joint connector nut, ¼”-20 thread
¼” x 3/8 flathead machine screw
four neodymium disc magnets .47” x .11” (12mm x 3mm)

Tools required:

Coping saw
Straight and curved files
Power drill
Various drill bits, including a ½” spade woodborer
“Liquid Nails” clear silicone adhesive
Cyanoacrylate superglue
Two part epoxy resin
Sandpaper

Comments

[guitarplayer19]

So cool! I plan on trying to make some over the summer.

[wmarkowski]

I really like what you have made and it gave me a huge inspiration to make my own but to make it more 'batsy' I have added bat-ears (I know that in game it was different). Also I made it a bit smaller, beacuse I couldn't get plexi so I made it out of CD and bristol paper. Thanks!

[Dzucky]

I finished a while ago but never got around to uploading some pics so...

[pegasos]

it is amazing. I have one question what are the sizes?

[spookylean]

See comments below for more details.

[pegasos]

tnx!!!

[Dzucky]

i cannot seem to be able to cut the sheet without some real rough edges. im using lexan not plexiglass and im cutting with a coping saw with a fine blade i really need some help.

[spookylean]

Sorry you're having trouble! I haven't used lexan so i don't know if it's harder to cut, but I know when I did it the edges were very rough too and I spent a lot of time cleaning them up with a fine file.

[Dzucky]

thanks. I've gotten past that now and i was wondering if there were other names for the connector nut. i don't think its called that where I'm from. (South Africa)

[spookylean]

I have heard furniture connectors are also called chicago screws, screw posts, or (and no, I'm not kidding) sex bolts. Don't know what you'd call them in SA though...

[spookylean]

Also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_bolt

[anikjoshi]

Can you please make me 1, I tried and failed :-) :-)

[elfere]

hi there's a chance you can send me your vector template please ? thanks :)

[cprich22]

Do you have any rough dimensions for it? such as the height and length of the blades?, i printed out your template and made a card version and i found it so be a little on the small size, a rough idea on how big yours is would make it alot easyer to scale the drawing up. thanks

[spookylean]

I'm traveling right now - can i get back to you on this in a couple of weeks?

[cprich22]

sure, im in no particular hurry

[spookylean]

Okay, the base (tip to tip, widest point) is 10" (255mm). The individual blades from top tip to base tip are 4.75" (120mm). I think I made it a little small too. Unfortunately I don't have my original plans any more. Hope this helps!

[cprich22]

made a cardboard prototype for my battle ready version, i found that if you place two smaller magnets towards the tips of the blades, when they meet they lock it closed so it dosent swing open unwantedly, a side effect is that if you flick it open with your fingers it moves with the speed as if its sprung loaded. could be somthiing for you MK2

[spookylean]

Great idea!

[patman01]

can you make me one? i don't have the skills for any of this :)

[optimus_89]

hi can anyone tell me how to download the pdf?

[curious youth]

great ible my friend but may i ask for a link to a website you may know for cheap lexan? see i am from australia and im finding it hard to track some down

[spookylean]

Funnily enough, I am Australian too. But I live in the USA, and I bought my sheets of plastic product at Home Depot. That chain spread to Oz, didn't it? I would try there.

[curious youth]

ok then i shall look around. hopefully i can find some thanks :)
it really bugs me that alot of my creating and modding work is halted because i need to track down products that are so easily accessible in the us

[spookylean]

I know, exactly. But I'm sure I bought perspex in Australia about 10 years ago, and not online... wish I could remember where.

[EGT1984]

What did you use for the "cap" that hides the screw?

[spookylean]

I think it was the plastic pourer from a soy sauce bottle.

[bluesquirrel]

This is pretty cool! And better yet, it translates into instructions for making almost any retractable throwing-blade type thing (ninja stars, batarangs, etc etc) for a costume :D

[EGT1984]

One could even make a Bird-a-rang (Robin's version) if they wanted to.

[EGT1984]

Be sure to check for protective sheets of plastic before one transfers the pattern to the plexi-glass.

[spookylean]

Very true. I made that mistake the first time around.

[paco_91]

Thanks looks amazing!

[oud25]

im looking at coil springs from knives and stuff so it will whip out and stuff but u would have to use a stronger material probably

[seltzer10]

dude i like it you should make steel one!

[Hamzah]

yeah, I agree. but, how to install the magnet on the metal?

[devinda]

ya , isn 't there another stronger substance

[oud25]

kydex but its pretty expensive

[Gage987]

I wish the one I got with the collector's adittion opened like that

[knoxmj19]

Amen, What a let-down that piece of crap was!

[dr.zedd]

now that is gaddang good sir. would you consider doing these via commission?

[spookylean]

I appreciate it, but I just don't have time (grad school)

[mephit]

Just as a note to others looking for the furniture connector. These are called chicago screws, screw posts, or (and no, I'm not kidding) sex bolts. You can find them in nylon, aluminum, steel, etc. and flat, phillips, allen, torx, whatever heads.

[FFVIIBOY]

this so awesome

[devinda]

Good work, i am making it as a gift

[TecDroiD]

does it really work like a boomerang? i'd like to see some video :)

[katerpeter]

i'd imagin you cold fashion the plexiglass with a sander to match that of a boomerang... although i'm not sure if the abscence of a 90 degree angle will matter or not... awesome craftsmanship, two thumbs way up

[spookylean]

A boomerang has uneven wings with airfoils which is why it returns. This would not work like that (though perhaps the wings could be specially shaped... something to experiment with when I get access to a woodworking studio).

[InfiniTTTy]

Beautiful! That explains it. Thanks!

[InfiniTTTy]

I don't get how the batarang folds in half (as in the video). The pieces don't seem to allow for that kind of movement / position. Can you post some more pics (side view + folded up) or a video? Thanks!

[spookylean]

I posted some more pics on step 7. Hopefully those will explain the action better than I can in words, but essentially the pivot arm slides up and down the length of the furniture joint connector, allowing it to close.

[bartongang]

Could you post all of the stencils please?!?!? (pivot wing, fixed wing, and back peice) I am a really bad drawer lol If you could that would be GREAT Thanks

[spookylean]

Coming soon...

[spookylean]

Ok. New stencil (courtesy of InfiniTTTy) on page 2.

[InfiniTTTy]

Thanks for including my new stencil!

[lint66]

Could you use a dremil to do some of the fine detailing around the wing?

[spookylean]

I think a dremel would work well, especially if it was table mounted like a router.

[neurothing]

Excellent piece - inspired me to make a 3d printed of one out of ABS plastic using a Makerbot (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3878) - not as elegant as yours but took less than an hour. And while it doesn't loop back, it does spin nicely and flew further than I thought it would.

[spookylean]

Video?

[HomemadeHonor]

If you don't try throwing it and post a vid, I'll make one and find you.

[spookylean]

Eek. I guess I better get onto it.

[Tommy B]

Nice work!

[_-hcm-_]

That's incredible! Good work

[craziemutant]

Wow! Looks great! Yea, when playing AA I was really pleased with their batarang designs. I'm not much of a crafts man so I can't make them. But awesome work!

[Neotron]

So I would like to know how you got your design or where. I make knifes all the time for friends and family and I would love to build this with a locking device out of steel. If you can guide me in directions to template that would be great. Also great instructable I love BATMAN

[spookylean]

It's at the bottom of page two. If you make one I'd love to see pics.

[Blonde Chicken]

That is so amazing!!! I've always loved batman. I'm so going to try this!!

[nyquilpillz]

what are the chances of getting a link to a full sizes stencil of what you used?? i would make my own but honestly yours looks so good i would rather use yours ha

[spookylean]

It's a little hard to see, but I posted a stencil with a scale bar at the bottom of step two. You should be able to print that out full size.

[nyquilpillz]

oh wow yeah.. didnt have my contacts in earlier.. sweet thanks! im heading out now to get the material needed! im so excited!! thanks! haha

[funkybassman105]

lexan and plexiglass arent the same thing.

[spookylean]

You're right. Plexiglass and Lexan are both trademarks. Either transparent thermoplastic glass substitute should work...

[manouttatime]

Actually, Plexiglas is the trademark. Plexiglas is acrylic sheeting and Lexan is polycarbonate sheeting if you want the generic names. These come in handy when asking for the stuff at Lowes and all they carry is Optix brand acrylic.

[brandon9271]

polycarbonate doesn't shatter either.. at least not easily. So you could throw that bad boy :)

[chosenangelx]

How did you cut the plexiglass to make it so round?? how did you cut it.. and where did you find the template ?? pm me back =)

[spookylean]

I cut the plexiglass with a coping saw - a handsaw with a very thin blade used to cut intricate shapes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coping_saw This step by far required the most patience because to get a good smooth curve takes a lot of concentration, but it's not that hard. I traced a template from a picture of the batarang I found on google images, but to make things easier, I've posted a new picture of my template on step two of the instructable. Good luck!

[hottamaleindustries]

Have you tried throwing it? Just curious.

[spookylean]

I'm afraid of shattering it into a million pieces... maybe when I make one out of steel.

[goku ssXXX]

you could try throwing it at a pillow or a couch :D just to try it out

[Verga]

Very nice job, added to favorties and antoher thing to add to the "to do" list.

[kaptaink_cg]

I really like that. Great idea, and nice looking finished product! 5 stars from me.

[spookylean]

Thank you!

[propninja]

if you're going to make a metal Batarang I recommend aluminum. you can work it with the same tools you used for the plastic version and it will be far more durable

[Soksume]

not really a batman person myself but you did end up with a beautiful end product

[spookylean]

Thank you!