Moose/Bear Repellent aka FLAME THROWER

The idea for this project was born from trying to get our campfires started with kindling and wood so wet we couldn't get them to burn with dry paper. Sure charcoal lighter would work but where's the fun in that?


Please don't be misled by the term Moose/Bear Repellent, I only used it to create more interest. It probably wouldn't deter a bear that was intent on inflicting harm. If anyone wishes to visit Alaska to enjoy the great outdoors, I would recommend some sort of bear deterrent. Be advised a big ol' can of pepper spray isn't always effective, they have even been seen licking it from the ground. Making plenty of noise or an occasional blast on a portable air horn while you're hiking will keep surprise encounters to a minimum. As for the moose, beware, they usually aren't afraid of anything and would love a chance to bully you for your snacks, or for no reason at all.    

 
Some words of caution: Be safe, have a fire extinguisher or bucket of water nearby and someone else there in case whats burning is you. Never operate indoors. You wouldn't pee up a rope or spit into the wind, it'll get ya if you do, so don't use it when the wind is blowing.
     

Materials: All materials are available at Lowes or Home Depot except the butane refills and birch plywood, which can be found at tobacco shops and craft stores respectively. Total estimated cost $50-$60 US.
 
8 in. of 1-1/2 in. type "L" copper tubing
1-1/2 in. copper end cap
1-1/4 in. copper end cap
1 in. length of 3/4 in. soft copper tubing
1/4 in. x 1-3/4 in. hitch pin
4 in. x 4 in. x 5MM extruded acrylic
24 in. x 12 in. x 1/8 in. birch plywood
1-1/4 in. length of 1/4 in. oak dowel
1-1/2 in. x 1-1/8 in. x 1/2 in. long aluminum angle
4 pcs. 1/8 in. tension pins 5/8 in. long
12 pcs. #8 x 3/4 flat head wood screws
3 pcs. #6-32 x 1/4 in. flat head machine screws
1 pc. #8-32 x 1 in. flat head machine screw
2 pcs. #6 x 1/2 in. flat head wood screws
1 pc. #8-32 x 1/4 in. flat head machine screw and lock nut
1 pc. #10-24 x 3/8 in. pan head machine screw, flat washer, lock washer and nut
pulse ignition for gas grill with wiring harness ( Lowes or Home Depot )
1 pc. AA battery
2.1 oz. can butane
1 paper clip
1 pc. 3/4 in nylon pipe cap
Titebond wood glue
super glue
a bit of solder

Tools used:

Laser cutter
Pipe cutter
Hand drill and assorted bits
Dremel with cut-off wheel and drum sander
Wire crimper
Sand paper
Scotchbrite
Propane torch
Router table
Phillips screwdriver



Below are the drawing files for the grip frame.

Step 1 Choose the fuel supply and material for the fuel chamber

PIC#1 I chose to use a 2.1 oz. can of Bernzomatic butane because I already had it on hand.

PIC#2 I checked a copper tubing handbook and found the size of copper tube that's inside diameter most closely matched the outside diameter of the butane supply I was using, which happens to be 1-1/2 inch type "L" tubing. I cut an eight inch length of the 1-1/2" type "L" copper tubing. I Purchased a 1-1/2 inch end cap to fit over one end of the tube and another 1-1/4 inch cap to fit inside the tube.

PIC#3 The end of the nozzle on the butane supply is stepped.

PIC#4 A hole for the butane nozzle must be placed in exact center of the 1-1/4 inch end cap. To find center I painted the inside of the cap with a black marker and allowed the ink to dry.

PIC#5 Coiled up scotchbrite pad rotated gently inside the 1-1/4 inch cap to remove the ink.

PIC#6 If done as described you should have a mark dead center. Drill that mark with a 1/16 inch bit followed by a bit just large enough for the butane nozzle to pass through until it contacts the first step on the butane nozzle.

Comments

[mamajr96]

About how much did everything cost?

[xSmok3y]

what is the scale for the pdf file? I need it for my lazer cutter. Thanks!

[Blaise_Gauba]

Very nice work. Very Steam Punk looking. The copper tubing probably gives it some weight whereas I might consider using PVC. Do you think that that would be a melting hazard? Anyway, I read all the way through your Instructable and found it very thorough except I ended up becoming a bit lost with the soldered fuel chamber with the nylon end-cap. If I may be so bold as to ask, what is that chamber for again? And, do you have any photos of that chamber taken from a 3/4 view so we can get a visual perspective of it? As it stands though, I love it and it seems like a fun enough project to take on. Be safe and responsible folks. :-)

[antoon]

really cool but i have no way of making it :(
creddits to the maker

[Football viking boy]

Great job! I've been looking around for instructions to a flamethrower. This is really great but I might need to simplify it.

[moneyfuskie935]

All I can say is... WOWZA!!!!

[broken-feather]

Very well thought out and I do believe it could be a formidable deterrent for lots of situations. Gob well done. I like it.

[Severan_Mal]

Lol love the title and vid!

[archieburden]

its all good until it blows up in your face...

[PDRWLSN]

Blowing up is highly unlikely. The fuel can't even burn until it is discharged into the atmosphere. Also the valve on the butane cartridge is shielded from heat so the possibility of melting the valve and discharging all the fuel contents at once is eliminated.

[hossweightlifter]

This is amazing.........

[PDRWLSN]

Thank you, appreciate the comment.

[FriendOfHumanity]

Wow! That's a great instructable.
You have created a thing of beauty.

[dtaylor27]

? sad

[hossweightlifter]

Whaat??

[PDRWLSN]

Thank you, glad you like it. Copper is going to be used in more of my projects.

[Sergei-]

Hi

Thats awsome

I have some similar plans that i baught at an online book shop that use to be in australia about 15 years ago

Turns out these plans are from the information unlimited people and this book shop was selling a cd's worth full of things like this

That looks great can't wait to look more closely at it

Serg

[PDRWLSN]

Thank you.
Can you supply the website? I'd like to check it out.

[Sergei-]

hi

The place i got the cd from has closed down but i can give you the site that origonaly had the plans for sale but they sell them at different prices and it's full of things like kits for things not just the plans/schematics

http://www.amazing1.com

They have all sorts of cool stuff there

Serg

[PDRWLSN]

Thanks for the info, it's a cool site. Going to spend more time checking out their stuff later.

[ilpug]

This is amazing, if a bit complicated for me.

If you put this in your pocket, it might be considered a concealed weapon, as this is probably extremely illegal.

Does this have a safety?

[PDRWLSN]

Anything one could fit in a pocket that could cause harm to another could be considered a concealed weapon, it would depend on the intent of the one in possesion and what the one in possesion were doing at the time.

As for legality, it's legal where I live but there may be locations it may not be.

No there is no mechanical interlock, I wouldn't transport this, or my camp stove for that matter, with a butane cylinder installed.

[ilpug]

Yeah, true. Anyway, great design and build!

[PDRWLSN]

Thank you. Happy you like it.

[professor awsome]

Perfect, bring it on zombies! im ready for ya now

[theguyhere]

That amazing... Now get a bigger spray can and make a bullpup rifle :P

[deobomb]

would wood work for the triger and push rods?

[PDRWLSN]

I don't see why it wouldn't. I'd use birch plywood laminated to the proper thickness for strength though.

[batonas]

nice design man

[PDRWLSN]

Thank you.

[kibukun]

Hmm, Bear deterrent? like a shotgun?

[PDRWLSN]

That would fit in the category of insurance protection from hostile encounters. Deterrents come in the form of noise makers, talking, singing and such. Anything you can do to keep from surprise encounters goes a long way toward preventing hostile situations. Some think that dispensing pepper spray on the ground around their campsite will deter bears from entering. It may, but don't count on it.

[professor awsome]

Isnt it illegal to own a flame thrower?

[zebede5]

In the United States, there is actually no law that says that you can't own a flamethrower.


Awesome......
:)

[wobbler]

Isn't it illegal to own anything that's fun? That makes this definitely illegal. As for the "gun" debate, it's how you use them. I've got a glue gun and I've not killed anyone with it yet, although it has got me into some sticky situations.

[PDRWLSN]

Breaking story. This just in, authorities have reported a man has held up the First National Bank of Podunk this afternoon. Apparently he pointed an Acme glue gun at one of the tellers and demanded a paper sack be filled with used styrofoam cups. He went on to say his pregnant wife was in the middle of a craft project and exhausted all her materials. The perpetrator fled on foot and is still at large. Authorities warned residents of of this sleepy burrough to stay in and lock your doors, if you must be out keep a look out for a man in his mid twenties with what the bank teller say's looks like spider silk trailing from his right hand of which has three fingers stuck together.

[professor awsome]

AWW (%^&* im so scared now
P.S. Were is podunk so i can officially measure how terrified i should be of this heavily armed bank robber

[PDRWLSN]

I think it's in I-owe-ah.

[fidgety2]

Oh so true I myself have often found my glue gun to be more useful than my dremel but never my beloved leatherman

[RichardBronosky]

No. They are often used for weed removal. In fact you can rent them from tool rental places. Or buy them from places like Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/propane-torch-91033.html?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase&hft_adv=40010&mr:trackingCode=A8720F9E-782A-E011-B31E-001B2163195C&mr:referralID=NA
http://www.nextag.com/weed-flame-thrower/shop-html