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I am currently drawing up plans to build a working chain sword. I have been advised this is a very bad idea, but non the less its gonna happen. Any ideas on what I could use as a power source or building materials.

You appear to be quite determined to win a Darwin Award.

Umm...

Step 1: Buy a chainsaw
Step 2: Put a handle on said chainsaw.
Step 3: Notify your next of kin.

I just want to do it cause it would be totally epic.

lost_soul wrote:Any ideas on what I could use as a power source or building materials.

Sorry, but if you have to ask that, this may not be the project for you. I can't advice someone with no engineering, manufacturing or design experience to take on a task so dangerous.

But, if I were doing it, I would just go buy an electric chainsaw, take it apart and use that motor and gears as a starting point.

Lost Soul is a troll, he should be reported.

Dont listen to Jade, he's sitting right behind me laughing.

A real chain saw is too heavy for most normal people to wield one handed. My advice is to make it electric using RC car motors and batteries and then just fabricate the outside to make it look fuel dependent. This will also keep the weight down and make it so that you can actually hold it.

The "blade" just needs to run on a simple sprocket and flywheel design (much like bicycle chains). It doesn't need to be sharp to look cool.

Well... you do realise that if you actually try to use the thing the chain will likely break and kill you right?

But if you're just going for it to see if it can be done, I suppose take apart a chainsaw and alter the handle.

lost_soul wrote:but non the less its gonna happen.

No you're not, since so far you apparently lack the acumen to successfully modify a nerf pistol, much less a motorized melee weapon.

Good luck making it. I hope you don't hurt yourself in the process.

Im not gonna hurt myself lol. I have the mechanical know how, I was just trying to get ideas from other people. If I get into it and find that it is a bad idea I wont continue with the project.

This isn't even funny. You will either die, kill someone else, or get seriously maimed. Don't do it.

You. Will. Die.

I can already tell you it's a bad idea... a very bad idea.

Seriously... If you're gonna try to make it real and cut something with it, try talking to a chainsaw manufacturer, not a collective of nerds who enjoy playing with toy soldiers. I myself being a rather avid member of said nerds would love to see a mock one created WITHOUT A SHARPENED CHAIN.

Even with a dull chain these things are dangerous... My father once was a victim of kickback with a live chainsaw and the only reason he still has his left leg is because the chain was dulled and it STILL took months for the wound to fully close and heal! A mock chainsword would be awesome, but leave the live weapons to those who intend to use them as live weapons. Meaning a very small proportion of the civilian population.

yeaaaa this is a REALLY bad idea....

but hey. video tape the process and your first test run. youll be the darwin winner of the year.

maybe look at an electric hedge trimmer or smaller electric chainsaw, and run it through a backpack held powerpack.

while your at it, why not try the supersoaker -> flamethrower conversion? i know a pretty cool "napalm" recipe you can make at home for under 20$.

you could also investigate the deffrolla for your van, or the bottle-rokkit launcher.

Good luck on your cutting off an appendage goals of 2012!

Kind Regards,
Vladsimpaler

Jayden63 wrote:A real chain saw is too heavy for most normal people to wield one handed. My advice is to make it electric using RC car motors and batteries and then just fabricate the outside to make it look fuel dependent. This will also keep the weight down and make it so that you can actually hold it.

The "blade" just needs to run on a simple sprocket and flywheel design (much like bicycle chains). It doesn't need to be sharp to look cool.

This is a great starting point., I would use a sprocket chain to start with, if you can get or have made a latex blade to cover it all the better. A few places or LARP custom do make custom jobs. I would buy a form sword, the Larp kind for 30 or 35 bucks and use that as the base, You could cut it as desired and fit a large bar into it, say a 32 or 36 inch bar. You could go with a lowend cordless chainsaw for power and motors.


Please do not use a real chainsaw blade. Just go with the sprocket chain, just as cool with much less danger.

People thought Nikola Tesla was crazy too

I say

All i want to say is if your going to do it post some videos cos i wanna see the results of this

Here is what you do. take this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AQEwofiBVU and then change the handle. Now you have a chainsword you can even take to a convention and you won't kill anyone in the process.

A chainsword? That's a good start, but why not think bigger? I'd go for a thunder hammer!

This has bad news written all over it, combined with equal parts awesome.

Ok, I apparently have no imbed skills; here's a link to a guy that made one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rZhvN-y2oPw

Well since its been done before make a thunderhammer...

Remington already makes a really nifty chain-halberd.

It's Method #65 of how rednecks get to Heaven.

There are so many things that can go wrong with this.
Here's a list

Cons:
-expensive
-fast moving parts to get finger/hair caught in
-cuts/scrapes from the "chain"
-if you're using a combustion motor
-burns
-fuel leaks
-explosion/shrapnel if improperly connected/sealed
-if using an electric motor and battery
-shock
-improper installation/compatibility => equipment damage/fire
-extra tools and knowledge required
-battery leaks if improperly handled/insulated

and then again
Pros
-You have a fake sword that goes roundy roundy

I'm going to echo so many opinions here: if you have to ask, you really shouldn't be attempting this.

Asking us about modeling/painting/gaming advice is a brilliant idea, as that is our area of expertise. Asking us about engineering and weapons smithing advice is foolhardy and asking to have something forcibly removed from your body.

That said, foam rubber is your best friend when making mock weaponry. Use a belt with foam rubber teeth and you will reduce the potential for damage to just yourself, and only when the blasted thing comes whirling apart like a night goblin fanatic.

If you try and make a metal/useable one, please notify somebody when you decide to test it.

-cgmckenzie

And I really want to stress this part

To test it out

To verify that it is safe

YOU HAVE TO HOLD IT IN YOUR HAND

Look into making the handle out of 1 inch PVC.

from there you should be able to house an electric motor (Like on an R/C Car) and build up the channel for the track.

DO NOT USE METAL CHAIN, use rubber or plastic like they use on toy chainsaws, so you do not cut your private parts off.

The batteries can be placed within the handle of the PVC for balance. Soldering skills would be used to run the wires from the battery to the motor.

make the housing out of sheet metal or aluminium, you can use 1/4 inch plywood, but that might get a bit heavy.