Introduction: Elon Musk's Boring Flame Thrower for $20

By Fungineers
About: Watch this space for projects on science, engineering, and tech. I explain how and why things work, by breaking apart everyday objects and DIY-ing the heck out of them.

After seeing Musk selling Flamethrowers for $500, I thought of doing a cheaper DIY version. Here is the full video + a good minutes of shooting flames for your viewing pleasure:

IMPORTANT: BUTANE IS DANGEROUS. RELEASING BUTANE IN THE AIR CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS FIRES RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. BE CAREFUL, DONT TRY SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH, AND/OR GET HELP!

Step 1: Supplies

What you put in:

1. A toy gun resembling the original gun.

2. Some Butane Spray cans

3. A piece of thin non-flammable rubber/plastic tube (used for welding, I dont know what it is called).

4. A pair of flat wood bars, 2-5 cm thick.

5. An arc lighter you are willing to sacrifice.

6. A hot glue gun, and a soldering iron.

7. A regular push button (Arduino type).

8. Some wires (Out of an old USB cable would be perfect).

6. One free afternoon.


What you get:

A HELL (PUN INTENDED) OF A LOT OF BLAZING HOT FUNNN!!!

Step 2: Installing the Wood Mount+Trigger Setup

A pair of flat wood bar need to be cut and attached perpendicular to each other, with a hinge made by prying a nail through a hole in the middle of the two wood pieces (as shown).

A thin nozzle (depending upon the size of your tube and the size of your Butane spray nozzle also needs to be slapped onto the top wood board, by making a hole in it.
The top wood board will be used to mount the Butane spray, and the bottom is the trigger.

Make sure you leave enough 'play' between teh two so your trigger can move freely (but dont let it be too loose).


The whole setup is mounted on top of the gun with some zip ties and hot glue.

Step 3: The Spark: Getting the Igniter

An arc lighter is used as an igniter.

Open the arc lighter and exted the button with the USB cable wires to reach from the nozzle of your gun to behind the trigger.

Replace the button on the llighter to a bigger button.

Hotglue the button behind the trigger (so when you pull the trigger, it also pushes the button behind it).

Mount the whole setup inside the nozzle as shown.

Get an aluminium cylinder with a hole at the bottom, and stick the igniter head inside.

Also make a whole in the center of the cylinder (shown) for the tube to pass through.

Position the tube nozzle and the igniter in such a way that the butane spray coming out of the nozzle passes through the igniter.

Step 4: Final Setup

Paint the gun (optional) to resemble the original Boring Company Flamethrower, and get your name/logo on the sides with a stencil.

Hot-glue the setup together, and make sure the Butane is not leaking, and is only coming through the nozzle at the end. Ensure the trigger is mounted properly and the push button is placed correctly behind the trigger, so it gets pushed as soon as the trigger is pulled.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Flamethrower, Mr. Musk

Well, that's it! Find an open and ventilated area, keep a fire extinguisher around always.
Wear fire-resistant clothes, shows, gloves (like I am) to be safe. Remember, nothing is more important than your life and well being.

UNLEASH THE FIREEEE!!!


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