Any good flyswatter ought to be able to break through a hefty piece of wood. At least, that is how [Finn] explains the design philosophy behind this enormous, overpowered flyswatter. Although we don’t know if everyone needs as robust a machine as this to deal with a minor annoyance like a house fly, we can certainly appreciate the over-engineered, extremely powerful (and dangerous) machine that can swat flies but also break through a two-by-four with ease.
The build comes to us in two parts, with the first part documenting the construction of some of the parts of the flyswatter, including the piston-driven gas cylinder. As a bit of a tangent, [Finn] first tests this part by using it to shoot lemons at pieces of plywood. After this initial testing of the gas cylinder, a cam mechanism is installed on the top, and the gas cylinder is slightly modified to pull on a piece of Dyneema rope attached to the cam. At the other end of the rope is a long metal lever with the flyswatter on the end, in this case, made out of a sheet of laser-cut plate steel.
With the addition of a few safety features, like a spring-assisted bumper to keep the flyswatter from swinging too far and hitting its operator, the machine is ready for use. It also eventually received some other upgrades as well including extra weights to prevent the flyswatter from bouncing after firing and a reinforced metal rod to hold the flyswatter after its demonstrations on various dimensional lumber destroyed it. In all likelihood, this is the largest insect-control device we’ve seen since this microwave-powered bug zapper. Now if you are building an insect…
Surveying the bite marks on my back, I’m forced to say I need this…
Reminds me of the ole funny Nissan Leaf commercial
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn__9hLJKAk
First off, there is no such thing as a minor annoyance where house flies are concerned. Second, anything that will pound those suckers into oblivion is a great idea. Can you imagine how much fun this would be at a backyard BBQ. ( and how much repair work you would have to do afterwards )
just make an attachment for a meat tenderizer, and you’re set
You can always give it some wheels and enter the Battlebots competition!
This guy should do modelling
You mean like walking down a fashion runway in some skimpy rags?
Ewwww!
Why do you think this is “over-engineered”
Have you seen the flies in that guy’s neighborhood?
This is perfect for the deer flies in Northern Minnesota 🤣
I’m thinking all of the trebuchet architects are shaking their heads and bowing down to their descendants’ obliteration of their former glory.