One of our favorite things about Halloween is the sheer number of hacks that come out of it each year. This year, hacking is almost a requirement to keep things physically distanced, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun. You want fun? How about a candy cannon that launches sweet projectiles at trick-or-treaters from fifty feet?
[Paul McCabe]’s cannon uses a sprinkler valve and an air compressor to launch a pair of fun size candy bars, each encased in a film canister shell. Each trick-or-treater stomps a foot switch fifty feet away at the end of the driveway, and as long as someone is there holding down the primary ignition, the cannon will fire with a nice retort that sounds like a large wind instrument playing a D note.
We were sad to learn that the parachute idea didn’t shake out, but the glow sticks are a great addition for night time. Check out the demo after the break, which is followed by a build video and then some more launches for the fun of it. Don’t have enough time to build a cannon of this caliber? You could put a spooky six-foot slide together pretty quickly.
No one will be injured. Someone will sue. Welcome to America.
Hmm, maybe that rotary trebuchet will help? You could throw candies at trick or treaters on adjacent street.
Shell shock isn’t a joke.
Your point is..? Nobody said it was.
No, but M&Ms have a delicious candy shell!
Yes. Yes, it is.
You must be really fun at parties. -_-
Well is you want to be pedantic and anal retentive shell shock isn’t the proper term, combat stress reaction is more preferable and it isn’t a joke, but that being said that doesn’t mean that we all have to neuter our sense of humour.
I’m sure this is the first time Yeet has been used in a HaD article. This does seem pretty fun, albeit a little impractical.
According to my records this is the first time we’ve used Yeet in a title, but it previously appeared in an article by Kristina back in May: https://hackaday.com/2020/05/10/clear-some-space-and-build-a-cosmo-clock/
So ends this episode of Yeet-a-Day
Go out trick or treating and get a Snickers bar embedded in your skull, 2020 is a hell of a year!