Elon Musk's flame thrower

[pmrid]

One minute he's a gifted savant, a visionary and breaker of new ground. And the next he does something so mindbogglingly stupid - even downright maniacal - that you have to reassess all your thoughts about him.

He has released for sale a hand-held portable flame thrower in the shape, size and form of a machine-gun. And he's sold out his first production run.

Check out the video clip of him demonstrating this thing?

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/elon-musk-s-company-sells-close-to-6-2-million-worth-of-flamethrowers

In a nation with mind-boggling statistics for gun ownership and gun deaths, he put into the market (no permits required he boasts) a device that will BBQ at several meters distance. The crazies, criminals and others jackrabbits will just love it. Wait till we see the first reports of it's use.

It is unforgivable and almost so stupid it's difficult to believe a sane man could be behind it.

Peter

[FlashDrive]

The ' ultimate ' mozzie killer while viewing at night time ...:D

Col...

[AndyG]

Don't forget that he's South African. This is totally in the realm of normal for one with such a background. We've all seen the sideskirt flamer kits for cars haven't we?

As a sports shooter/tryhard inventor/general nerd, I'm somewhat erect from the thought of such a device.

I don't quite agree with the "no permit" assertion by him. I suspect it would be an NFA item "destructive device" (Simple $200 tax stamp, and almost 1 yr waiting list).

As fun as I see the tool being, I agree with you that most societies are not ready for this. And any society that NEEDS this (they exist) are somewhat sick.

[that_guy]

This seems more like a novelty toy than anything else. When you can get a much more destructive weapons (aka guns) in america for just as easy if not cheaper :P

[pmrid]

Tony, if it's a toy, it is a hell of a toy. It throws a flame like an oxy torch and from the demo, the flame is at least 1 meter long.

Would you want your kids to have access to such a toy.
Peter

[SkyWatch]

I think the idiot running towards the camera in the clip says it all.

"Whoops, sorry about the first degree burns to your face; I didn't mean it: I was just playing..."

Hmmm

PS: AndyG: way too much information...

[LewisM]

Yes, thanks Andy for the imagery :lol:

[CJ]

According to The Guardian, Musk tweeted “Guaranteed to liven up any party!”
Sold $3.5m worth in 24 hours.

[RickS]

Well, you never know when you'll need to set a tyrannical government on fire...

[AndyG]

Sorry Dudes,

I've actually watched the video now (I hadn't even clicked the link before).
You could say I was a little "Premature"...

I'm with Col, That_Guy, etc. It's a toy. I've made better flame units with crop sprayers / naphthalene as a kid. Nicely presented and compact.

Time to just stand back and watch the fun I think.
Post any particular accomplishments here (http://www.darwinawards.com/).

Interesting about the NFA rules regarding short flames. Not that it matters as I (and most of us) don't live there.

[clive milne]

~gasp~

That's so much more dangerous than a motor vehicle or a 20L container of pool acid available at my local hardware store...

Just hope the nanny police have enough cotton wool to wrap us in.

Keep us safe and all that.

[LewisM]

Seriously, I can do better with a can of WD-40 and a lighter. Better still, MAF cleaner or brake cleaner and a lighter. Just ask all the wasps.

[LewisM]

Clive, spot on. If someone has the mindset to harm others, he/she will find a way, as we have witnessed so often recently with cars and knives.

Do we ban all those now? Where do we draw the line?

[sharpiel]

Only if it comes in red night light colour.

[Ric]

Read the article, still don't get it.

Why on Earth does anyone need a flame thrower. :confused2:

All I can see from this is acts of cruelty towards fellow humans and animals.

[el_draco]

To light the barbecue?
To barbecue?
To... :question:

Another WTF moment in Yankland. It would take a seriously deranged creepy to contemplate using it as a weapon and the first time it is thusly used.. I wonder what Musky will be thinking... "I did that!" Doubt it.

It'll be a case of "Flame throwers don't kill people... People kill people..." :screwy:

[multiweb]

Great for dew prevention without overloading the "power grid" at astrofest. No so good for the seeing though. :question: Bring on the marshmallows I say! :wink2:

[N1]

Hi Lewis, I s'pose these have some utility value that will be obvious to most, whereas a machine gun shaped flame thrower is a stupid toy and not much else. Yes, most things carry some risk, and utility is one way to (partly) offset that risk, within reason. So assuming the flame thingy poses about the same level of danger to society as the other items, but has much less use, then that's where you could draw the line. That too should be obvious to most. :)

[SkyWatch]

It would be great for lighting multiple cigarettes at a smokers convention... ;)

I am reminded of an old episode of "Friends" when Phoebe's newly discovered brother is asked what he likes doing, and he says "I like burning stuff" as he pulls out his cigarette lighter...

[sil]

In texas it'd be called a ladies cigarette lighter.

At least Musk stands by his word. At no point did he say these are a good idea, merely fun and he specifically tells people to NOT buy them and you lot obviously didnt read and chose to take this all out of context.

[LewisM]

I am sure most didn't get past the video with mouths gasping.

Musk does say, as Sil pointed out: "Musk promoted his flamethrower on Twitter claiming it would be handy for "roasting nuts" and "when the zombie apocalypse happens".

"Also, I want to be clear that a flamethrower is a super terrible idea. Definitely don't buy one. Unless you like fun," he wrote on Instagram."

[xelasnave]

I would like one as it would be much faster than a drip torch when creating a fire break...lends new meaning to fight fire with fire.

But how cool when you confront you gang member enemy..and he is thinking of taking over your sales area for ice and smack...he pulls out a machine hand gun and you pull out your flame thrower..you have made a statement right there..dont mess with me cause I am so crazy you need to go elsewhere.

Alex

[el_draco]

Omission is not an excuse. If he did not intend for them to be purchased, why build/market them in the first place? Just imagine the potential if these things fall in to the hands of ISIS type extremists? :question:

Stupidity on more levels than I care to count. :screwy:

[el_draco]

He'll just pull out a double barrelled, gold plated nitrous injected flame thrower... of course :rolleyes:

[LewisM]

Hang on, you think ISIS will use these, instead of real military grade flame throwers... naivety atit's best.

Whilst the US government/CIA continue to fund ISIS, they will have access to what they want.

[xelasnave]

What is it about the US.
I mean we get together have a few beers and say we could build this or that but wake up sober and go shopping but in USA they have a few beers and think building a 48 cylinder motor bike is possible...and the next day forget shopping lets build it and they do...is that very clever or very stupid.
I saw a chap with a radial engine in a car..sure it works but really...Thank goodness when I think about something all I waste is a couple of sheets of A4.
Alex

[clive milne]

I wouldn't lose sleep over it Lewis, ISIS only attacks countries that disagree with Saudi Arabia & Israel... So we should be pretty safe here.

Edit). Oh, yeah.... I was forgetting, they (ISIS) also seem to have an implacably chapped duodenum where it comes to countries trying to sell crude in currencies other than US dollars... Fundamentalists hey, you just can't figure out what makes them tick?
:shrug:

Just as well we have such towering intellects in the media to tell us what to make of it all.

[el_draco]

I'd say its still stupid. A significant reason why this world is in such a mess is that those who develop such crap, including 48 cylinder motor bikes, don't adequately consider the potential impact of their actions and, in the case of yanks, they generally put their own vested interest, (ie, the almighty $), first. Not at all impressed by Musky's latest "creation". :rolleyes:

[casstony]

Looks like a giant cigarette lighter, not much use really, but if it makes profit to put towards space adventures that's a positive.

[xelasnave]

I want a 48 cylinder motor bike with two of those fansy cigarette lighters hanging off and six hand guns and five fifty cal automatic rifles and a big bunker and three top heavy blondes...now I know nderstand why everyone wants in...
But at least they have great health care...I heard earlier a saline bag which I gather is a small bag with salt water that cost fifty cents to produce is charged at $90 to the patient...
Alex

[doppler]

$617 US, that's an expensive toy. When the Chinese find out and start making them they'll be $20 with free postage. But the original ones seem to hit ebay with a vengeance. People are actually bidding. https://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Boring-Company-Limited-Edition-Flame-Thrower-CONFIRMED-Elon-Musk-SOLD-OUT/323046633123?hash=item4b37146ea3:g: 7bgAAOSw61hac28x

[el_draco]

Nah Mate, you need a "Boss Hoss" Wif one of them, "top heavy blondes", just seem somewhat inadequate :P

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_Hoss_Cycles

... collect speeding tickets like confetti... in first gear!:rofl::rofl:

[xelasnave]

I dont think so.
I really dislike heavy bikes...I used to do moto cross and think you should be able to throw a bike around.
I bet through winding roads I could flog someone on a v8 riding a 250 small lite bike... no problems.
Brakes better you can hold it up if it slides...
On the few times I raced anyone up the Pacific Highway from Brooklyn on my little 350 cc I beat them and usually bigger bikes.
Smaller works for me.
But big bikes big cars etc I think comes down to "look at me look at me"...
I spent my life the center of attention so I am opposite..I dont want to be noticed..I like to be left alone.
Chatting here is good however and I can be myself which is all I ever wanted.
Alex

[el_draco]

Yep, I can empathise with that and I suspect a Boss Hoss would stand out somewhat. I enjoyed road bikes a bit to much. An 1100 goes like a bat out of hell if you let it and I remember one pretty terrifying ride where I did just that... :eyepop:

I suspect the Boss Hoss would be a financial liability... though on the Gosford Tollway, I reckon it would be exciting. Cant imagine many roads I'd be comfortable winding it out... and thats an 8 cylinder. Imaging 48 mate! :eyepop:

[AndyG]

2nd'd. Fondest memories were of my KR1-S (250 2 stroke). Despite having a 600 Gixxer and Triumph 675, KR1-S was pure fun. As they say:
"It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow". Not that any 2 stroke ever rated poorly in the power to weight stakes...

[AndyG]

This. Coupled with the fact that this is just a glorified blowtorch. The fuel burns too fast precluding any performance in projecting the flame. Pumped or pressurised Naphthalene/Kerosene/diesel/other slow burning fuel with adhesive qualities constitutes a flamethrower.

Pity the way the world has gone, were mucking around with this crap is associated with terrorism. We as kids made crap like this, and at worst, we were branded "victims" of neglectful parents. More often we were just laughed out for being knobs. We were left in a corner and punished with near death if we burnt anything of value. Respecting authority like crazy (but obedient) children, we blew up junk and other worthless matter.

Back to Mr Musk - This has proven the saying "Any publicity (even bad) is good publicity". Most consumer scum wouldn't know him, his company, or ambitions. Shenanigans like this builds a public profile, which can be manipulated later. It's just a foot in the door of the everyday person's mind really.

We've all been trolled, not least myself. :P

[xelasnave]

Musk for president.
Alex

[Deeno]

Have to wonder how different this thread would be if Donald Trump had built and sold twenty thousand toy flamethrowers.....?

It be like, all hell and damnation....

[skysurfer]

You can get it for $48 ! (https://www.bunnings.com.au/tradeflame-propane-handyman-full-flame-blow-torch-kit_p5910245)

Or DIY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxQ-sFeDtio) with gasoline or diesel.