Barely Legal Lego: Making a Powerful Lego Coil Gun

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  • Опубліковано 6 бер 2024
  • Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=122597865
    See my latest experiments and behind-the-scenes footage!
    This project combines some of my favourite things - Lego, high (ish) voltage, and shooting things! What happens if we dump a large charge into a copper coil? We get a massive magnetic field that we can use to propel metal pieces.
    But the problem with many electromagnetic shooters is that they rely on dangerously high voltages, large capacitor banks, and complicated electronic timing mechanisms. Does it really have to be this way though? In this video, I’m going to experiment with building a simplified but powerful coil gun using Lego, some capacitors, and a mechanical means of timing the shots. Lego is ideal here, as it allows a lot of modularity and refinement of the design.
    We’ll use different combinations of capacitors, projectiles, and voltages to arrive at a powerful, but simple coil gun design. A word of caution though - please be aware that higher voltages can be dangerous to handle, and of course, anything that shoots projectiles can be potentially injurious. So please don't try this at home!
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1 тис.

  • @jonjayb
    @jonjayb 2 місяці тому +1641

    Testing out voltages like a sommelier tasting fine wines was hilarious

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +162

      Full bodied 🍷

    • @vizzy1702
      @vizzy1702 2 місяці тому

      In the future PLEASE test only between two fingers at most, or event the same finger. Your method is making the shortest route from one hand to the other, go possibly straight through your heart! Preferably, you'd just never shock yourself XD
      (Even less than a Amp to the heart can kill you)
      @@JamiesBrickJams

    • @EvanMJones
      @EvanMJones 2 місяці тому +89

      Might have been a good idea to not test from one hand to the other across the chest. :-)

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +67

      You're right of course! Especially not with higher voltages or AC. At these levels, it's largely fine (for me, my physiology, and environment), but in the interest of safety, it's best to stick to just one body part regardless

    • @LordOfNihil
      @LordOfNihil 2 місяці тому +9

      its not the amps, volts or watts that kill, its the joules.

  • @flappyjay_gaming
    @flappyjay_gaming 2 місяці тому +1232

    Styropyro would want this as an actual Lego set

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +173

      He's my hero 😉

    • @flappyjay_gaming
      @flappyjay_gaming 2 місяці тому +18

      @@JamiesBrickJams same

    • @flappyjay_gaming
      @flappyjay_gaming 2 місяці тому +19

      @@JamiesBrickJams our psychotic manic hero

    • @maxximumb
      @maxximumb 2 місяці тому +34

      @@JamiesBrickJams Imagine a Lego rail gun powered by his 100 car battery bank

    • @neoleonor7140
      @neoleonor7140 2 місяці тому

      ​@@JamiesBrickJamsCheck out electroboom and photoninduction

  • @YourGlobalShowerShitter
    @YourGlobalShowerShitter 2 місяці тому +442

    I love it when the silly Lego man makes a Lego gun that’s barely not a firearm

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +42

      😁

    • @brysonbitz8076
      @brysonbitz8076 Місяць тому +1

      ​@@JamiesBrickJams creepy

    • @YourGlobalShowerShitter
      @YourGlobalShowerShitter Місяць тому +4

      @@mikehoncho3099 lol

    • @Lonech
      @Lonech Місяць тому

      @@mikehoncho3099 Ah yes, the commie country of Ireland.

    • @bvoyelr
      @bvoyelr Місяць тому +1

      It's barely not a firearm in Ireland. As others have stated, in the US you get more power from hand pumped air rifles, to say nothing of things like paintball guns.

  • @bummer6
    @bummer6 2 місяці тому +655

    I love how you make sure to test voltages by holding one wire in each hand, making sure to pass the current through your heart each time just to maximize the danger.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +154

      Haha 😅 In this case it is relatively safe, but in retrospect I could have demonstrated better safety in case anyone gets silly ideas

    • @thewhitefalcon8539
      @thewhitefalcon8539 2 місяці тому +69

      And you're supposed to test with the back of your hand, so that if the electricity activates any muscles, they pull you away from the wire instead of towards it.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +53

      Generally a good practice, yes 👌

    • @_decky4ever_
      @_decky4ever_ Місяць тому +17

      @@JamiesBrickJams If ur hands was sweated even a little bit, with 9 battery and the grabbing is ensure the never let go situation. Also i would edit out this scene and redo it with one hand.
      If someone try this at home, becouse you said "it's relatively safe", they can die.
      Rule of thumb with DC (DC is like 10 times more dangerous then AC, on AC the voltage goes down to zero 100 or 120 times per second):
      - Only operate with one hand
      - If the voltage is higher than 50V use safety bracelets, thats connected to the negative pole
      -and the most important! !!! ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE WITH A SAFE DISCONNECT AROUND !!!

    • @DaihatsuDoorvouwDag
      @DaihatsuDoorvouwDag Місяць тому +5

      @@_decky4ever_ womp womp

  • @spicymemeboi2646
    @spicymemeboi2646 2 місяці тому +346

    I like how you fire that thing at targets on a glass table

    • @nanaki-seto
      @nanaki-seto 2 місяці тому +14

      Yeh at 1 joule it isn't going to do crap. No reason you cant boost this design to some fairly terrifying speeds though but i have a way in my head to fire projectiles like that to about 1k fps using nothing but a couple large drone motors and metal "wheels" spinning at very high speeds. Very pitcher machine like and it will even be able to put a spin on the projectile. Not sure how fast it could fire 1 but here in the us it would not even qualify as a firearm

    • @Landonstein
      @Landonstein Місяць тому +1

      ​@@nanaki-setosimilar to a flywheel style nerf blaster but deadly, I like it.

  • @ethanpschwartz
    @ethanpschwartz 2 місяці тому +142

    Ah yes, William Tell, who shot an apple off a child's head, the arrow immediately knocked over both the child and the wall behind him and then the pierced apple then fell on the kid's face. Classic Germanic slapstick.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +17

      I'm no fairy tale expert but that sounds about right 👌

  • @zachbrown7272
    @zachbrown7272 2 місяці тому +738

    hey buddy, EE here. If you're going to touch voltages greater than like 60V, do it with just one hand so it doesn't go through your heart and kill you.

    • @yaeloosthuizen725
      @yaeloosthuizen725 2 місяці тому +114

      This! EE as well, Ive gotten a decent shock from a 60V segment. You might not have felt anything at that voltage but a small change in moisture could have a big difference!

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +249

      You're of course both right, ideally I should have tested this only using one body part. In retrospect I wish I'd done that purely from an educational standpoint - will bear that in mind for future videos. For these tests I'm well aware of the difference moisture makes though - only doing this kind of thing with dried hands and an air conditioned apartment. That's been important for a number of previous projects!

    • @user-iv5kw9bz2v
      @user-iv5kw9bz2v Місяць тому +27

      Im going to touch all the the voltages and you cant stop me!

    • @thomasdickson35
      @thomasdickson35 Місяць тому +21

      Nothin' like calling a grown man "buddy" to piss 'em off, champ.

    • @fillennaymeer6922
      @fillennaymeer6922 Місяць тому +24

      ​@@thomasdickson35True, another "EE" here. And ive always found the best way to get people to listen to me is by being rude and condescending

  • @Simple_But_Expensive
    @Simple_But_Expensive 2 місяці тому +221

    Possible improvements:
    1) have the firing slider move forward instead of rearward when the trigger is pulled. This allows adding a cocking lever to one side. Pull to cock.
    2) move the charging contacts to the back of the same slider as the firing contacts. These contacts close when in the cocked position. You may have to spring load one side of the charging contacts to ensure good connection. This fixes your design flaw, since the charging contacts open before the firing contacts close.
    3) design a magazine with multiple projectiles stacked on top of each other. Cocking the trigger mechanism drops the next projectile into firing position. No idea how to accomplish this. Might be fun to figure out.
    BTW, if you think 100VDC hurts, try 300VDC. I latched onto that while troubleshooting a fire detection system on a gas turbine generator package. My boss latched onto 15000VDC. Fortunately, the only ground was through the leather soles of his shoes on dry concrete. He was still picking carbon splinters out of his fingers months later. He stayed away from our workbench after that.
    As always, fascinating seeing what you get up to with Lego. I am always impressed with your creativity.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +66

      Hot damn I like your suggestions, cheers. Moving the charging handle to the firing contacts would be a good move. Really this does need an automatic way of making sure the firing pin is reset before charging. I only made that mistake once, but it melted some of my Lego. That is really the only risk to this 'safe' coil gun. I considered a magazine, but loading is actually quite challenging. Though not impossible if I cut out some of the straw. Can certainly try that on a V2. My condolences to your buddy 😂 DC is a lot more forgiving than AC, but even just 300vdc sounds nasty!

    • @doctorcreeps2169
      @doctorcreeps2169 2 місяці тому +3

      im no expert on this stuff but i have a few other suggestions that might be useful:
      better reloading mechanism: have a built in rod thing to push the nail into the barrel, which is easy to slide in or out (maybe with a rubber band so you only need to pull it out to push in the nail and then it goes backwards again)
      scope: doesnt need to be a big sniper scope obviously but some small things near the front of the gun would make aiming easier as you’d have a better idea of where its shooting
      extra ammo holder: could be some sort of magazine (probably gravity fed on top) or just some sort of thing which you can simply use to hold onto other nails so you can reload
      grip: probably would be mounted under the barrel at the front, could possibly make it easier to hold and aim idk. this and the main grip at the back could maybe be combined with curved lego parts like slopes to make it more comfortable to hold as well
      this thing is really awesome though, i cant wait to see what you do with it next! 😊

    • @Zyghqwyv
      @Zyghqwyv 2 місяці тому +2

      @@JamiesBrickJamshave you seen electroboom? He took 2000v AC and also tried to lick 50V DC thinking it would be painless

    • @TheGamingLegendsOfficial
      @TheGamingLegendsOfficial 2 місяці тому +11

      ​@@Zyghqwyvsure, but Mehdi is actually an electrical engineer and almost always has safety in mind and knows how to look stupid without ending up on LiveLeak.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +13

      Yes credit where it's due - Mehdi does a great job educating around high voltage and safety. There's almost nothing shown that isn't highly controlled and done in a manner to reduce risk

  • @amyshaw893
    @amyshaw893 2 місяці тому +100

    As we all know, the safest way to test out different voltages is up one arm, directly across your heart and back down the other arm

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +18

      Ha don't worry, I'm well aware 😅 Though in retrospect I should have demonstrated it via one hand only to make sure folks don't get any silly ideas. I'm just hoping folks will take heed of the cautionary note in the video and not attempt it themselves! This should at least give an idea of the DC voltage range to bear in mind in a safe, controlled environment

    • @LorbyOwo
      @LorbyOwo Місяць тому +4

      Hi @@JamiesBrickJams, I'm not an expert in electronics but still, be carefull with coils. This shit can be very dangerous, because voltage can increase by a lot when you use it like that. In fact, if I'm not wrong, coils doesn't like when there are big spike of curent in very short time. When it append the voltage increase by a lot. (sorry if i'm not clear, I'm from France and English is not easy with me ).
      Same thing, capacitor are more dangerous than batteries because they have higher output curent because the maxiaml power is highter to for the same voltage.
      still very good video, thank you

    • @anshaljain8350
      @anshaljain8350 Місяць тому +1

      Uncle Iroh always says, the current can never go through the heart

  • @Techmej
    @Techmej 2 місяці тому +103

    This can only end well…

  • @lukeomalley3769
    @lukeomalley3769 2 місяці тому +66

    Jamie's got a gun
    His dog day's just begun
    Now everybody is on the run
    Because Jamie's got a gun

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +8

      What delightful poetry Lukey!

    • @Floor_fill_the_gaps
      @Floor_fill_the_gaps 2 місяці тому

      🥶​@@JamiesBrickJams

    • @SympBizkit
      @SympBizkit Місяць тому

      @@JamiesBrickJams lukey's referring to a song ua-cam.com/video/RqQn2ADZE1A/v-deo.html

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому

      That makes sense, I've known Luke for years and he's never read any poetry for me 😢@@SympBizkit

  • @glitch_infused
    @glitch_infused 2 місяці тому +123

    3:05 Even tough it's not really that big of a deal in this situation, never touch two poles of a high voltage power source with your both hands. If the voltage is high enough you the current flows trough your heart and lungs, which is - as you might imagine - not a good thing! Also if you have to touch exposed wires, do it with the back of your and, this way if the electricity makes your muscles contract, it won't force you to keep holding the wire

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +25

      Very good advice for higher voltages for sure! And don't worry, there's no way I would have done this with AC, or much higher voltages 😉 This is just some light-hearted experimentation for folks curious about how DC batteries affect you at higher voltages

    • @notabagel
      @notabagel 2 місяці тому +28

      Still use two fingers on the same hand. There is a wide range of currents which can either stop a heart or cause irregular rhythms and you don't want to find out what those are. This is serious stuff man

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +13

      That's true, and good advice 👌

    • @TheLegoAnimator863
      @TheLegoAnimator863 2 місяці тому +2

      Or just dont go near high voltage unless you absolutely must and take safety precautions

    • @videojuegos9379
      @videojuegos9379 2 місяці тому +8

      @@JamiesBrickJams sorry for being another party pooper but dc WILL clamp your muscles if you hold too long, and you won't be able to let go. I've done this with 100 ish volts dc and had to stomp on the wire to get it out of my hand. Use back of your hand if you don't want burns.
      Loved the video though, you got some pretty great results with some cool mechanisms!

  • @flip-flap-yo-yo-yo
    @flip-flap-yo-yo-yo Місяць тому +5

    what can i make with legos?
    google: make a giraffe!
    bing:

  • @mikeaykut9592
    @mikeaykut9592 Місяць тому +18

    I think it’s funny that you make borderline illegal weapons out of a kid’s toy

  • @theburnedman6396
    @theburnedman6396 2 місяці тому +54

    I only saw "Barely Legal" at first and thought I was on the wrong website for a minute

  • @DexterWolf-ds7nz
    @DexterWolf-ds7nz Місяць тому +6

    Image making a lego gun so powerful you need to register it as a firearm😂

  • @dancoroian1
    @dancoroian1 2 місяці тому +14

    Never realized how easily 9Vs could be chained...they just snap together! Brilliant

    • @Ttavoc
      @Ttavoc Місяць тому

      And brilliantly dangerous. Even if you dont work like a Bozo it can be dangerous if the batteries age or if you shortcircuit them accidentally. They can start to burn.

  • @donaldhobson8873
    @donaldhobson8873 Місяць тому +11

    For comparison, a good medieval warbow might get up to 100 joules.

    • @yeetiminguspro3438
      @yeetiminguspro3438 Місяць тому +3

      Sooooo....
      What I'm getting from this is that politicians suck

    • @DragnEYE
      @DragnEYE Місяць тому +3

      @@yeetiminguspro3438 Shocking right?

    • @maxthibodeau3627
      @maxthibodeau3627 Місяць тому

      @@yeetiminguspro3438 gun control will never work, its no different from the prohibition because people will get them anyway. there is no point in trying.

  • @lacucaracha111111
    @lacucaracha111111 2 місяці тому +4

    Lego: We wont do war sets or guns!
    This madlad : functional gun it is!

  • @mymindspace5265
    @mymindspace5265 Місяць тому +20

    Some thing i find funny is a literal gun doesn’t legally count as a gun in America as long as it’s a black powder antique, but in Ireland it anything that chucks something over a Joule in energy

    • @numbdigger9552
      @numbdigger9552 Місяць тому +4

      Which is pretty ridiculous when you consider i can chuck a rock with a hundred times more energy in it...

    • @lefront4674
      @lefront4674 Місяць тому +1

      @@numbdigger9552 considering the fastest baseball pitch ever had around 140 joules of energy,i highly doubt you can throw a rock with 100 joules of energy in it

    • @numbdigger9552
      @numbdigger9552 Місяць тому +2

      @@lefront4674 well to be fair you have no idea how good i am at throwing rocks.

    • @yeetiminguspro3438
      @yeetiminguspro3438 Місяць тому

      ​@lefront4674 that man was a lot of guns

    • @ICountFrom0
      @ICountFrom0 Місяць тому

      You know what happens when something becomes a metric.

  • @greenaum
    @greenaum 2 місяці тому +8

    Usual definition of "low voltage" is below 60V. Even those PP3 batteries can put enough current out to stop your heart once the voltage is high enough, so there's no intrinsic safety in using them. So they need respecting as being hazardous and potentially deadly. Fortunately you'd have to touch both ends at once to get a zap, unlike the mains.
    Putting the current across both arms and therefore your chest is a dangerous idea. Using wires and pressing the back of one hand or a leg would be a better way. You don't want to wake up in hospital thinking "Hm, 9V less next time". Although it's preferable to not waking up.

  • @theblackwithin3457
    @theblackwithin3457 Місяць тому +5

    i'm looking forward to version two - featuring a single mechanism to reset the firing pin, charge the capacitors and load a new projectile from a magazine in a single action.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому +3

      I'm pretty sure that's all doable - will likely revisit this in a future project!

  • @ASideOfProtogen
    @ASideOfProtogen 2 місяці тому +16

    I'm not sure if you've already made this, but a working LEGO railgun would be cool to see!

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +7

      I've never actually built a rail gun, but I quite like the idea. Quite a challenge to overcome the welding problem though...

    • @ASideOfProtogen
      @ASideOfProtogen 2 місяці тому +1

      @@JamiesBrickJams If you make that into a video, expect to see me somewhere in the comments section.

  • @machiii7394
    @machiii7394 2 місяці тому +7

    as someone who has messed with high voltage capacitors and electronics in general, your method of connecting them by just shoving them through a hole in some wires gives me anxiety the likes of which has never been seen before.

  • @Sugar3Glider
    @Sugar3Glider Місяць тому +10

    Its not travelling through your fingertips, its traveling through your heart my dude.

  • @bonovoxel7527
    @bonovoxel7527 2 місяці тому +12

    Its amazing to have a law defining how strong you can throw an object before they prosecute you, isn'it?

    • @gordongate
      @gordongate Місяць тому +1

      the legal maximum of muzzle energy for an air rifle in the UK is 12 foot pounds, one Joule is 0.74 Foot pounds

    • @bonovoxel7527
      @bonovoxel7527 Місяць тому

      @@gordongate can't beat down a wild buffalo with a rubber band and a paper clip! 😂

    • @bearwolffish
      @bearwolffish Місяць тому +3

      They try to outlaw memorizing big numbers (encryption). Fear and greed is a hell of a drug,

  • @gcewing
    @gcewing 2 місяці тому +9

    Warning, don't assume from this that you can touch other 100V sources with impunity. Those 9V batteries can't supply lot of current. Without measuring it, you don't know whether the voltage across your hands was actually 100V when you were touching the terminals, or whether it dropped to something lower due to the internal resistance of the batteries.

    • @nateblack1379
      @nateblack1379 Місяць тому

      Its the the volts thats gonna kill you its the amps

    • @pd28cat
      @pd28cat Місяць тому

      @@nateblack1379is you illeterate 💀

    • @redgamer821
      @redgamer821 Місяць тому +4

      ​@@nateblack1379No, it's a combination of a bunch of different factors that can't just be boiled down to voltage or amperage.

  • @randomenvelope
    @randomenvelope Місяць тому +4

    Its new to me to see people just stabbing contact points through a wire rather than fusing them with soldering iron and tin.
    I like it

    • @SuperBrainAK
      @SuperBrainAK Місяць тому

      Yea, it would be a lot more efficient that way (more joules per volt), but we are talking about a 9v powered lego coilgun. 🤷

    • @randomenvelope
      @randomenvelope Місяць тому

      ​@@SuperBrainAK wasnt it 120 volts?

  • @YapvilleMayor
    @YapvilleMayor 2 місяці тому +22

    It’s purely aesthetic, but why don’t you consider putting something spinning around the coil ? It has no use and is a hollywood fantasy but it’s still cool

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +16

      I enjoy over-engineered and pointless things so long as they look cool - cheers for the idea 😉

    • @YapvilleMayor
      @YapvilleMayor 2 місяці тому +3

      @@JamiesBrickJams Yeah ! Like a charge rifle from a video game where there is magnets spinning around the coil until the shot is released

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +7

      I've a vague recollection of the tau cannon from Half Life 1 having something like that

    • @YapvilleMayor
      @YapvilleMayor 2 місяці тому +2

      @@JamiesBrickJams Or like apex legends charge rifle, where there is a part spinning around the cannon

  • @illusions66
    @illusions66 Місяць тому +8

    measuring voltage by how far you feel it up your finger lmao

  • @DougRubin
    @DougRubin 2 місяці тому +14

    UA-cam: "lets put up safety measures so we don't have adults teaching children how to create a potential lethal contraption, like a gun..."
    This guy: "hold my beer."

  • @Extra_Mental
    @Extra_Mental 2 місяці тому +4

    Should be careful with that voltage, according to my wiring rules 120V DC is the point where Extra Low Voltage (fairly safe to handle) becomes Low Voltage (Usually lethal)

  • @tjttoby
    @tjttoby 2 місяці тому +8

    Why are you shooting stuff on a GLASS TABLE???????😭😭😭😭

  • @DarmiGames
    @DarmiGames 2 місяці тому +5

    Awesome video, as always. Really didn't expect 1J to be this strong😂 If you're planning to do a follow-up video, you could make it automatically charge up after you reset the contacts. Just make another screw to the other side and make it basically a 2 path switch, so when you pull the trigger, it connects the capacitors to the coil and when you reset it, it connects the capacitors to the battery. It would also solve the problem with the ark you had.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +3

      That's not a bad idea, cheers for the suggestion - you're right, the main thing this needs (at least to make it truly safe) is an automatic opening of the firing contact just before the charging handle is activated. Relatively straightforward for a V2!

    • @DarmiGames
      @DarmiGames 2 місяці тому

      @@JamiesBrickJams Looking forwards to the follow-up video!

  • @fabe61
    @fabe61 2 місяці тому +1

    Keep up the quality content man! Always enjoy seeing a vid drop from you :)

  • @nartuz5016
    @nartuz5016 2 місяці тому

    Amazing video as usual, lad! Glad to see the channel growing

  • @Grimlock0508
    @Grimlock0508 Місяць тому +6

    The balls on this guy to use a glass table to shoot at is insane

  • @teresashinkansen9402
    @teresashinkansen9402 Місяць тому +5

    1J energy limit? A true nanny state when throwing a stone with my arm can break the limit like 50 times.

  • @user-if1ly5sn5f
    @user-if1ly5sn5f Місяць тому

    Nice. Create a rotating magnetic field along the coil gun's tube to induce a spiral spin in the projectile. Maintain the field just beyond the projectile's reach to allow it to be propelled forward without fully stabilizing. Instead of a single burst, use the field as a continuous wave to provide sustained propulsion. Additionally, consider using opposing magnetic fields to temporarily immobilize the projectile until launch, allowing pressure to build up. Then, deactivate the counter field to release the projectile, essentially allowing it to 'ride the wave' and slide off the coil gun like a conveyor belt. Great video and impressive magnetic launcher!

  • @yeetmcmeat
    @yeetmcmeat 2 місяці тому +1

    I think making the charging handle and the trigger bolts connected would remove that possibility of having both latches closed and you would only need to charge/latch the trigger bolt.

  • @glowytheglowbug
    @glowytheglowbug 2 місяці тому +11

    you really need a multimeter pleaseee be careful with those batts, and be aware that they have low capacity, I recommend having a BMS and a buncha lithium cells instead, at least they are both dangerous and rechargeable instead of dangerous and u gotta replace the whole battery

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +3

      I actually considered lithium batteries to simplify it even further by removing the capacitors - might even try that in the future! But these batteries provide an absolute ton of shots. I've shot this thing many hundreds of times now and they're showing no signs of running out of juice

    • @glowytheglowbug
      @glowytheglowbug 2 місяці тому +2

      @@JamiesBrickJams ooh, i just know they are really bad for arduino things, even simple blinking leds can only last 50 minutes and since yours are in series, capacitance is still the same. I'm guessing for your design the batteries are still powering the caps even when they drop below 5v thus you can still squeeze the last bit of juice outta them while for an arduino it stop after the input is under 5v

  • @Forbidden-gaming23
    @Forbidden-gaming23 2 місяці тому +3

    Having your pneumatic gun and sync it perfectly with this gun even better

    • @xanderplayz3446
      @xanderplayz3446 2 місяці тому

      The pneumatic gun speeds up the projectile, and the coil speeds it up, probably over the legal limit.

    • @biggusdickus8992
      @biggusdickus8992 2 місяці тому

      @xanderplayz3446 treat it like the Torchwood from PVZ, the pneumatic gun fires a round that enters a stationary coil gun barrel (held up with a tripod or something) to accelerate past the legal limit, without the actual firearm being illegal

  • @SmartLego-it1wj
    @SmartLego-it1wj 2 дні тому

    This video is so well-produced and informative. I can tell you put a lot of time and effort into it.

  • @Placidusax-101
    @Placidusax-101 Місяць тому +1

    Random person: "what'd you do today?"
    This guy: "I built a Lego coilgun"

  • @todeilfungo
    @todeilfungo 2 місяці тому +10

    7:28 the capacitors were in parallel, not in series

  • @cohenhummel5320
    @cohenhummel5320 2 місяці тому +2

    you should make a 2.O so that when you pull the charging handle back it resets the triger

  • @RuneOracle
    @RuneOracle Місяць тому

    "That is quite a kick, that is not pleasant"
    *does it again*
    ..literally me

  • @grantpills9697
    @grantpills9697 Місяць тому +1

    Firing at obstacles on a glass table is excellent planning

  • @The_Regu1ar_Guy
    @The_Regu1ar_Guy 2 місяці тому +3

    Gotta love that the nail gun from ultrakill is getting a real life version

  • @ElMatero6
    @ElMatero6 2 місяці тому +8

    Nobody's mentioning the fact that hes testing the volts with Both hands, which connects the circuit and goes through the heart.
    This could possibly have gone bad if he had a heart problem

    • @LordOfNihil
      @LordOfNihil 2 місяці тому +1

      i noticed that but im such a safety third kind of guy that i would have felt like a hypocrite for bringing it up.

    • @snark894
      @snark894 Місяць тому +3

      literally everyone is mentioning it actually

  • @ddunfuh9239
    @ddunfuh9239 Місяць тому

    The best qay you could improve this is by linking multiple coils and having software or other jerry rig solution to time them correctly, this will allow even better acceleration and velocity for the projectile

  • @ninidoku
    @ninidoku Місяць тому +1

    Testing its power on a Glas table is very brave.

  • @LunarTikOfficial
    @LunarTikOfficial Місяць тому +4

    *There's nothing barely legal about this.*

  • @auntydoll8
    @auntydoll8 Місяць тому

    waw this is such a beautiful project to build xoxo great video. cant wait to see more.

  • @therealchriscunningham
    @therealchriscunningham 2 місяці тому +1

    By far the bravest and most insane part of this video was at the end where you tested shooting sharp pointy metal things at an unknown velocity with your leather living room couch situated behind the targets, which were on your glass living room table.
    This was epic. The order of Lego meets the chaos of mad scientist youtube.

  • @TheLegoAnimator863
    @TheLegoAnimator863 2 місяці тому

    already know I will love this video as i like lego and electronics as well!
    :)

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +1

      Awesome, hope it scratches that itch 😉

  • @AnotherFreakingDude
    @AnotherFreakingDude Місяць тому

    Neat. As a simple safety mechanism, you could position the reloading bolts on the opposite side of the shooting bolts, so you use the trigger reset to reload the caps, and thus never leave the trigger connected.

  • @phatnguyen8012
    @phatnguyen8012 2 місяці тому +2

    I think you just make "self defense" become "counterattack"

  • @DragonKing067
    @DragonKing067 Місяць тому

    Improvements i can suggest is a safety switch to avoid the thing setting on fire and making the charging system a bit more similar to the trigger, being more built into the gun rather than on the side

  • @wictorious3925
    @wictorious3925 Місяць тому

    Do a design with boltaction anda magazine. Like a "HIgh voltage" Sniper ;) I love this!!!!

  • @Lykaotix
    @Lykaotix 2 місяці тому

    Would love to see this build with multiple coils...in a different country of course 😅
    Love the build as always! Keep up the great content!

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +1

      Thanks a lot! I might try a multi stage version next time 😁

  • @dallinhunter7385
    @dallinhunter7385 Місяць тому

    Looks awesome, I dig the bull-pup aesthetic, very PS90

  • @dmj271095
    @dmj271095 Місяць тому

    I can't believe you spent 18 years and 1 day working on this project

  • @GAMING891
    @GAMING891 2 місяці тому

    I'd suggest a pump handle that both resets the discharge bolts and connects/disconnects the charging bolts. It'd solve the issue of ever forgetting to reset the firing mechanism before charging capacitors. With some additional tinkering you could also get it to load a new nail

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому

      For sure, that is definitely needed for a V2! I like the idea of automatic reloading too

  • @inventurous5119
    @inventurous5119 Місяць тому +1

    Love how hes firing big metal rods at objects on two different glass tables.

  • @canaDavid1
    @canaDavid1 Місяць тому

    I think you could mitigate the security risk by having the recharge on the same slider as the fire, just the other end: to recharge, slide forwards, and firing backwards. Makes it so that only one can be engaged at a time.

  • @Director_K1
    @Director_K1 Місяць тому

    a way you could improve it would be to add a mechanism that automatically resets the trigger mechanism so you dont have to pull that knob every time, and something that automatically charges the capacitors
    also a magazine wouldnt go amiss

  • @jacoblandsverk1292
    @jacoblandsverk1292 Місяць тому

    Congratulations you gave earned yourself a new subscriber

  • @user-if1ly5sn5f
    @user-if1ly5sn5f Місяць тому

    Also, you can use electro coated plastic bbs to lighten the load but keep some strength.

  • @voin5371
    @voin5371 Місяць тому

    This reminds me of a guy who 3D prints actually IRL munition types and tests them on cardboard, would be sick to see maybe you two collab to further progress the Coil Gun and make it fire plastic APFSDS.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому

      Using a sabot is a really cool idea I'd like to explore at some point - cheers for the suggestion!

  • @Rebel_Warrior
    @Rebel_Warrior Місяць тому +1

    Railguns use a similar concept, the use of electromagnets to fire a solid steel or tungsten projectile.

  • @K-o-R
    @K-o-R Місяць тому

    Shooting nails at targets on a glass table is a bold move.
    You could probably link or interlock the trigger reset and charging handle. The trigger reset has a very nice "bolt action" feel to it.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому

      Yeah the tactile feedback is only ok - I like your idea of integrating the two. I'm sure some stronger elastic bands would make it feel better as there's very little recoil, making the gun feel a bit weak, even though the output is reasonable. My (weaker) air guns FEEL much more satisfying. Cheers for the suggestion

  • @TylerMeyers0070
    @TylerMeyers0070 Місяць тому

    I’m sure you could dramatically increase your accuracy if you reduce the tolerance in the barrel and add rifling. Even if you have sites, it’s still a smooth barrel.

  • @nightswitchmusic6419
    @nightswitchmusic6419 2 місяці тому

    4:00 the laughter while shocking yourself sounds like a crazy person lmfao

  • @josephmatich3288
    @josephmatich3288 День тому

    The amount of current, path through the body and the amount of time are the three factors that determine the severity of a electrical shock. It takes less than one amp to kill you! It really doesn't matter what you "feel"! I was a journeyman electrician and moved on to electrical inspector.

  • @greenaum
    @greenaum 2 місяці тому +1

    Did you think, perhaps, to collapse the magnetic field, having a mechanism where the flying projectile activates something that cuts off the power to the coil right when it's in a certain position? You could do it optically with a photodiode and transistor in a pretty simple circuit. Using a MOSFET and the like doesn't have to be too complicated, it's still on the order of what you're doing. You could even being an Arduino in for endless tweaking, again not too complicated.

  • @user-rw8wv1mu6z
    @user-rw8wv1mu6z Місяць тому

    I think you should add something like a wing at the end if the needle so that the needle will fly straight, not hitting the target without the tip facing toward the target.

  • @King.Sayied
    @King.Sayied 2 місяці тому +2

    Amazing creation Jamie

  • @LeviathanFoundation
    @LeviathanFoundation Місяць тому

    no to dissimilar to that of Sabots or APDS (a armor piercing round for tanks). add some fins on the end and a discarding case to the nails. the funny thing is i look at the mechanisms and think that would be fairly easy to automate it. to make a coil machine gun.

  • @carlbrown670
    @carlbrown670 Місяць тому +1

    "exactly 1 joule" translates to "this was slightly higher than 1 joule but i legally cant say that"

  • @spasmplayer7422
    @spasmplayer7422 Місяць тому

    Dude, that's awesome!

  • @WildDisease72
    @WildDisease72 Місяць тому +1

    Copper wire wrapping for electro-magnetic is expensive for us to try so thank yoi!!

  • @karangaglani5854
    @karangaglani5854 2 місяці тому

    bro deserves more subs

  • @eric_d
    @eric_d 2 місяці тому

    I've been a big fan of Lego my entire life, and this has to be one of the coolest things I've seen made with it, even though I'm not into guns. I also have a rule to never subscribe to channels that beg for subscribers though. If people like your content, they will subscribe on their own without having to be told.

  • @Weretyu7777
    @Weretyu7777 2 місяці тому

    That thing is crazy! And to think that most of it is made of Legos.
    Have you ever thought of collaborating with other UA-camrs like, say, styropyro? Just curious. Love the video!

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому

      Ha that'd be the dream, I absolutely love Styropyro! But to be honest, his projects scare the hell out of me. And I'm brand new on UA-cam, so not on anybody's radar right now

  • @operaatio5117
    @operaatio5117 2 місяці тому

    Hmmm. Perhaps you could make some sights for the gun? With actual optics. That would be cool.
    Also some safety and magazine would be good for the gun too.

  • @stephaniemcclure897
    @stephaniemcclure897 Місяць тому

    i was shocked when a Lego building guy actually talked instead of asmr

  • @squorsh
    @squorsh 17 днів тому

    One thing I'd suggest for better accuracy would be to measure the voltage you're getting from the batteries for use on your graph's horizontal axis. Your 45 volts from 5 batteries may be quite a bit lower than nominal from the battery voltages dropping from use.

  • @kajin807
    @kajin807 2 місяці тому

    This is fucking awesome! I love your blend of electronics and legos

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  2 місяці тому +1

      Thanks a lot 😊🙏 They're a fun combo

  • @YourLocalRailfan
    @YourLocalRailfan 2 місяці тому +2

    It’s only illegal if you get caught

  • @specialisedheavy9932
    @specialisedheavy9932 Місяць тому

    love it, subbed 🖖

  • @ScriptDogelol
    @ScriptDogelol Місяць тому

    btw id recommend you use APFSDS rounds for stability if you update this, its just a smaller rod in width with fins in the back and a discarding sabot to make it fit the barrel

  • @fridolineckerd6135
    @fridolineckerd6135 Місяць тому

    That is very interesting. This is the first coil gun I have seen that controls the time it activates the coil by limiting the capacity and getting consistent results. Now I'm really curious if the same principal would work for a second stage coil by having four capacitors in series.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому +1

      Thanks! The tuning took forever (a lot of off-camera tinkering with different coil configurations), but it was worth it for the simplified design. I'm not sure if a 2 stage coil would be possible using the same mechanical principle, though I could imagine the projectile triggering a physical switch to engage the second coil - which would need to fire quicker than the first stage.

    • @fridolineckerd6135
      @fridolineckerd6135 Місяць тому

      @@JamiesBrickJams most use a optical switch for the second stage. Makes sense because the physical switch stops the projectile. How did you even tune it? Your video makes it look like it just works from the beginning

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому

      @@fridolineckerd6135 Yes, optical is a relatively straightforward means if you're willing to set up the circuitry for it. It's arguably easier than a mechanical switch, though I was going for more of an 'analogue/mechanical' build for this project. As for tuning - this was largely trial and error using different gauges of wire and trying to figure out what resistance I'd need to fully dump the charge per unit time. I must have tried more than 10 different coils 😅

    • @fridolineckerd6135
      @fridolineckerd6135 Місяць тому

      @@JamiesBrickJams (: that sounds like you're not very interested in doing that. But yeah I just rewatch Ed alot of other coil gun videos on UA-cam and it really is a rabbit hole to get into. So still nice to see how well you made your one coil gun. The Lego makes it even better.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому

      @@fridolineckerd6135 For a future build I'm very open to an optical multi stage design 😉 And thanks for the suggestion!

  • @1lI1l1Il
    @1lI1l1Il Місяць тому

    There is a reason voltages below 120V DC and 50V AC are considered "safe" low voltage. These Voltages are the "let-go threshold", above you may not be able to release your muscles when current flows through you. And testing voltages between both of your hands, with current flowing across your heart muscle might lead to heart problems/failure in the future!

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому

      You're right, in general these are not voltages to be doing this with. They happened to be somewhat safe for my specific environment and physiology, but I wouldn't want anyone else to try to replicate this

  • @BlazingImp77151
    @BlazingImp77151 Місяць тому +1

    if you do more lego ballistics in the future (like this or your air one(s)), it would be nice to see things slowed down a bit more. it is a bit hard to see impact on some shots.

    • @JamiesBrickJams
      @JamiesBrickJams  Місяць тому +1

      That's good feedback, thanks! I've been considering a slow motion camera, but currently that's not in my budget. But would love to invest in something like that in time 😉

    • @BlazingImp77151
      @BlazingImp77151 Місяць тому

      @@JamiesBrickJamscool to hear! I wish you luck towards that goal, and can't wait to see what you post next :)

  • @RyanCR3000Omega19
    @RyanCR3000Omega19 Місяць тому

    4:09 "That is not pleasant!"
    *shocks himself 2 more times*

  • @amberthetrans
    @amberthetrans 2 місяці тому

    man i thought it was like lego illegal building techiniques but this is another level 😭

  • @Logarithm906
    @Logarithm906 Місяць тому

    13:42, guy risking his coffee table for us.

  • @fatmaaan3403
    @fatmaaan3403 Місяць тому

    "That is not pleasant"
    *does it again*

  • @kekw9716
    @kekw9716 2 місяці тому

    you can make the charging handle reset firing pin so you never forgot to reset it, or just make the firing pin powered by trigger