Super Charging a Kelvin Thunderstorm

It's hard to believe no one has thought to use a 

pressure washer as the water source to

Lord Kelvin's Thunderstorm 

which clearly can enhance it's output.

 The possibility of an electrical shock from a pressure-washer,

I was warned of while working in a tool rental store.

The story goes, a customer while cleaning a narrow pathway

between two apartment buildings received a sizable shock. 

He backed into a metal window security grate 

that had stored a hefty charge from his cleaning with a 

pressure washer, the jolt sent him to the ground.  

Recently I viewed a movie clip from Hunger Games

 highlighting Kelvin's Thunderstorm, it was fascinating.

Whether science or marketing it was quite clear to me 

that to increase the potential of Kelvin's findings is to

increase the availability of the charge by smashing it

through a high pressure carbide tip

forcing more electrons to become available. 

I conducted several runs with the experiment in all the results

were the same, the meter recorded the fluctuation of

charges flying about. In one of the runs the two screens 

polarized  positive and negative, it was exciting to see

the voltage clime until it topped out at a constant .3 volt.

Now .3 volts isn't much but it is more than enough to 

encourage further experimentation and to

construct my own High Pressure Thunderstorm.

First I'd like to test the capability of the gas powered 

washers to form a base line. The goal is to test a 

system that uses water tanks to obtain the desired pressure.

The implications are, if this system works it wont need to 

produce the same amount of electricity that the gas engine 

could produce if hooked to a generator  to be successful.

It will simply need to produce enough electricity to 

operate the two water pumps resupplying the tanks.

That is the big "IF"

IF it produces enough to continue the reaction 

I would have created a self sustaining reactor.

IF it is practical to operate and can be super sized to supply

the grid, it is possible that we may never have to dam another

river to create power.

One Can Dream     

  

Ultra-light Hand Made Crossbow

Fun Weekend Project

 This Ultra-light crossbow turned out to be

quit nimble, producing over 1000fps. 

with a 150grn bolt.

Specs

Total weight..................................aprox. 1-3/4 lbs

Bow.................. 35 lbs draw weight @ 36" width

Trigger pull....................................................8 lbs.

Velocity.............................................over 1200fps

Bolts...3/8" dowel 18" long @ 150Grn./10grams 

Max Range....................... straight up over 300ft.

Max effective killing range....................... 100ft  

**(Click here for video proof of velocity)**

 This is the second bow in a project that began as an attempt to reproduce and enhance a Filipino Crossbow 
I purchased from a shop in Alongapo City. 

(To see the complete process click photo)  

While the first crossbow was drying it's finial coat of finish

I had the time to cut out and begin shaping the new stock.  

This one I wanted something similar to a Dragunov style.

Stock Dimensions  

When cutting the butt stop short in order to leave enough

for the grip. I used the band-saw for all the basic shaping 

and a hand router to hollow out the butt. 

 Unlike the Dragunov  I wanted a pistol grip just a bit more trim

 so "I modeled it after an M-16 grip I had laying around.

It was really taking shape.

(I got photo bombed by the dog toy)

Fire control system

 Detail 

(Disregard this stock detail when making Ultra light model) 

In setting up the the Fire control system I opted to reinforce

the pin holes with flared copper tubing which also

improved the trigger pull. 

(note the rough cut trigger and pins)

It takes some minor tweaking of the wire to make it

rise and fall smoothly.  
(Used 1/8" welding rod)

Trying out a combo bolt stay and rear sight while setting 

the pin height to allow plenty of room for string clearance.

The bow was made from a 1"x 2" Red Oak

and cut out on the band saw, here are the rough cut dimensions. 

(To see all the details click this link)

Using a wood rasp, hand files and power sander the bow was 

shaped, to these final dimensions. 

Instead of spinning my own bow string I decided to 
test out the retractable dog leash.
It was a great improvement but it still stretched a little bit.

This is what happened when I decided to exchange

bows with out adjusting the string tension.

The bow was done-for but I was able to repair the stock 

with some glue and screws.

(Clink Link below for Video)

Video shows the velocity one of the first few shots.

After several hundred rounds fired the string has 

stretch a little and the bow relaxed some, yet

it still fires over 1200fps.

Do it Yourself Filipino CrossBow

Another fun Weekend Project

   

 Many years ago I was stationed in the Philippines
where I picked up a hand crafted crossbow. It impressed me
so much with it's engineering and ingenuity I decided to
try my hand at making one.

You can expect to shoot accurately over 100 feet
With the bow held up at 45 degrees the bolt
should travel 200 feet.
This will be great for small game or
slow Zombies.



Knowing the selection of quality bow material is limited
I settled on the fact that this project will reflect what's
available versus what best. 



A trip to Lowe's Home Center netted me
2 pcs.      1" x 6" x 4'      Poplar
1 pcs.  1/4" x 6" x 4'   Red Oak
1pcs    1" x 2" x 6'      Red Oak
and Titebond water proof glue.


(Note: this is enough wood to build two crossbows) 

I started by laminating the 1/4" oak between the two pieces of Poplar with glue, clamped and left to dry.   

Clamping to a flat surface will help insure a

straight stock.  You can see I drew out the basic shape

once I scaled up the design in order to ensure a better fit

and better performance.   

  Try to keep the edges flush when clamping.

While waiting for the glue to dry I copied the dimensions

from the original bow and scaled it up.

 Below is drawings for the rough cutting of the bow.   

(not to scale) 

I drew out the basic shape then cut it on the band-saw. 

After cutting the top view I cut the side view

and was left with the basic shape.

(Do Not Try to Bend the Bow Until Completely Done)

Using a Rasp file I rounded the edges and shaped the curves

from out of the straight cuts until I had

what looked like a workable bow. 

Cut a tapered bevel into the back side of

the bow that will become the wedge lock

that will hold the bow in place.

 I shifted work to the stock

where I cut out the basic shape on the band-saw.

With a wood rasp file I shaped the stock

to mimic the original.

(Note:  When your done the wood chips should pile up to your ankles) 

Stock Contours

stock length is  29 1/2"

Markings for the first cut in fitting the bow to the stock

The size of the first cut is based on the width of

the bow at the tip.

Before you go any further attempt to fit the bow into

a scrap piece of wood so you know what to expect.



Take you time fitting the bow using a file

 and test the fit often.

With the bow fitted use a router to cut the bolt groove

about 1/4" deep and 1/4" wide. 



Use a dowel wrapped with sandpaper to smooth the groove. 

Mark bow for bolt and flights. 

And cut 

Now for the Fire Control Mechanism

The original used thin scrap metal forged into shape.  

Trigger Detail

I cut the trigger from 1/4" steel and the Pins

are from a 1/8" welding rod.

The trigger pocket

Testing the trigger for fit 

 Assembling of the Fire Control Mechanism

Making of the bow string 

(Note: The how to will show up on a later post) 

The Bolt is a 3/8"  dowel with blue tape feathers

(Bolt length can vary)



Tying the bow can be a challenge here is the original

knot.

I'd tell you how to tie it but I'm struggling with it

As I said, the amount of wood will make two crossbows.

Here is a sneak peek at the next one.

Raw footage from one of the first test shots. 

(I wanted to take a second shot but the knot loosened up)



If you don't see all the information needed to build your own

please leave a comment so I can update.

Thank You and Good Luck



Wooden Serving Cart

A fun weekend project  

I found a design concept I liked and 

just needed to scaled it to fit my needs

The tray frames are made of 3/4 x 1 1/4" with

a dado cut to affix the 1/4" random width slats 

Experimenting with the angle for the

uprights 

Making wheels can be very challenging

I used spline joints to hold the spokes 

and wheel to each other  

All glued together 

Cut the outer circumference along 

with center hubs

Then I added support gussets to 

help finish them off

With a coat of finish on it 

I am quite pleased