Elon Musk's flame thrower

pmrid (Peter) · #1 31-01-2018, 05:04 PM

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-mus...-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 (Poppy) · #2 31-01-2018, 05:14 PM

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

Col...

AndyG (Andy) · #3 31-01-2018, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrid

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.
Peter

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 (Tony) · #4 31-01-2018, 05:52 PM

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

pmrid (Peter) · #5 31-01-2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 (Dean) · #6 31-01-2018, 06:11 PM

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 · #7 31-01-2018, 06:45 PM

Yes, thanks Andy for the imagery

CJ (Chris) · #8 31-01-2018, 07:12 PM

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

RickS (Rick) · #9 31-01-2018, 07:16 PM

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

AndyG (Andy) · #10 31-01-2018, 07:25 PM

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.

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

clive milne · #11 31-01-2018, 08:16 PM

~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 · #12 31-01-2018, 08:18 PM

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 · #13 31-01-2018, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #14 01-02-2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlashDrive

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

Col...

Only if it comes in red night light colour.

Ric · #15 02-02-2018, 12:08 PM

Read the article, still don't get it.

Why on Earth does anyone need a flame thrower.

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

el_draco (Rom) · #16 02-02-2018, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

Read the article, still don't get it.

Why on Earth does anyone need a flame thrower.

To light the barbecue?
To barbecue?
To...

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..."

multiweb (Marc) · #17 02-02-2018, 12:33 PM

Great for dew prevention without overloading the "power grid" at astrofest. No so good for the seeing though.

Bring on the marshmallows I say!

N1 (Mirko) · #18 02-02-2018, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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 (Dean) · #19 02-02-2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

Read the article, still don't get it.

Why on Earth does anyone need a flame thrower.

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 (Steve) · #20 02-02-2018, 02:02 PM

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.