Status: Ballista Factory
Hello backers! Just a quick note on where we are.
I was very disappointed that we did not receive the shipment of wood to start production by this past weekend. However, we were not idle. Below are some photos of the gang hard at work. We completed the following:
- 350 sets of nylon string (2 skein and 1 bowstring lengths)
- 1400 dowel rod segments, 2.5 inches long to make foam tipped darts
- 1,391 foam tipped darts
- 650 dowels, length .75 inch (for assembling the ballista)
- 1800 dowels, length 1.25 inch
- 650 dowels, length 1.75 inch
- 525 steel rods, length 1 inch (these hold the skein rope in place)
- 30 sets of horsehair rope for deluxe kits
So we're ready to go for when the wood gets here and we light it up with the "laser".
Some things to note in photos. a) In the string making photo notice my wife's patented system of using a napkin holder to keep a spool of string in order. b) The photo of the darts in formation was my son's attempt to make an extremely dull job creative (there are about 200 darts there, and we made over 1300 of them). c) I'm holding up a section of foam that has a few hundred foam tips laser cut out of it. d) A photo shows some of the dowels and steel parts in boxes after cutting. e) me operating a heavy duty shear at Club Workshop to cut the steel rods (raw ones on desk in front of me next to duct tape). I crunched a finger on piece number 522, did 3 more and called it quits for the day. I iced it and f) played golf with my wife and sister in-law later that day.
So it wasn't all work this weekend. Just about 15 hours worth. I shot a 53 on 9 holes. I blame it on the finger.
Club Workshop is a great makerspace in Denver (www.clubworkshop.com) with a full woodworking shop, metal shop, auto bay, laser cutter, automated embroidery machine, etc. If you're ever in Denver area, check it out. I did the prototyping of the ballista (and many other projects) there.
475
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$24,377
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Funding period
Jun 26, 2012 -
Jul 17, 2012
(21 days)
- 2 created · 10 backed
- Kerwin Lumpkins 81 friends
- Website: legion-10.com
Pledge $1 or more
10 backers
Backing at this level will go toward funding for historical education programs. Donations will be project kits like the ballista and monetary for books, etc.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $9 or more
0 backers
10 pack of soft tipped darts. These are wooden darts tipped with a soft foam head for safe firing. This item was added for those that want to add more darts to their kit order. Add $9 to any reward below to get the 10 pack of darts.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $20 or more
5 backers
You will receive the "I kickstarted a desktop ballista" tee shirt (see photo in the project description). If you'd like a tee shirt AND a ballista kit, just add $15 to any of the reward levels below. We'll get your order exactly by form if we are funded. Please add $7 shipping/handling for any location outside of USA for the shirt only.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $30 or more
235 backers
You will receive one basic ballista kit that includes everything you need to build, and two foam tipped darts. You can fire your own toothpicks, so you won't have to worry about losing the darts. Please add $10 shipping/handling for any location outside of USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $37 or more
44 backers
The ballista marksman (or woman) kit. This includes a basic ballista and a foam target complete with red bullseye. You can add $5 to any of the rewards to get a target. Please add $10 shipping/handling for any location outside of USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $40 or more
19 backers
You will receive a basic ballista kit WITH laser engraving. We will laser engrave the side piece of the ballista with your name or whatever text you like and any font that we can engrave (many available). Recommended engravable area is 2.5 inches (~1 cm) wide by 3/8" (9.5 mm) high. Please add $10 for shipping to locations outside of the USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $55 or more
81 backers
The Battle Pack: Two standard model ballistas (the plural form is actually spelled "ballistae"), 10 foam tipped darts, and a practice target with stand. Please add $12 for shipping/handling outside of USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $60 or more
2 backers
The Gift: An assembled basic ballista kit, including engraving. If you'd like to buy the ballista as a gift for someone pre-assembled, go with this model. We will assemble it for you, with engraving. Please add $15 for shipping to locations outside of USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $75 or more
15 backers All gone!
The Deluxe Kit: You will receive the deluxe model which includes genuine horsehair twisted rope instead of modern string, and brass metal parts (ratchet gear, pawl, and washers) and engraving on the side (if desired). The brass parts are decorative, but also historically accurate. The Romans used brass and steel parts on their ballistae. Please add $12 for shipping/handling outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $81 or more
19 backers
3 pack: With this reward you are purchasing 3 basic ballistas. This reward was added in response to requests for 3 or more ballista packs. People are thinking of Christmas gifts already? Okay, so this is for those uber organized folk. Please note that shipping of all units must be to one location. Please add $15 for shipping to locations outside of US.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $90 or more
24 backers All gone!
One basic ballista kit and one deluxe kit, two targets, and 10 soft tipped darts. Please add $15 for shipping to locations outside the USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $115 or more
5 backers
The Deluxe Kit: You will receive the deluxe model which includes genuine horsehair twisted rope instead of modern string, and brass metal parts (ratchet gear, pawl, and washers) and engraving on the side (if desired). The brass parts are decorative, but also historically accurate. The Romans used brass and steel parts on their ballistae. Please add $12 for shipping/handling outside the USA. The $75 price for deluxe was an "early backer" offering at limited quantity.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $150 or more
9 backers
The Deluxe Gift: You get a pre-assembled deluxe model. This model includes engraving and we'll polish the brasswork, so that the ballista is ready for use and attractive display out of the box. Please add $15 shipping for locations outside of the USA.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $200 or more
2 backers
Deluxe ballista and a story: You get a deluxe ballista, and if you're in the Denver area, we'll give a tour of our shop and take you to dinner. And during dinner, I'll share outline and some sample writing from an historical novel in the works that is about the Roman general Scipio Africanus.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $350 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
Exotic Wood Deluxe Model - Only 5 of these will be made. It will be a fully assembled ballista made with the deluxe materials (brass and horsehair parts) but also made in your choice of exotic hardwood (Purpleheart, Zebrawood, Rosewood, Bubinga, Padauk, Wenge, Cherry, or Curly Maple). See photo in description for the wood appearance. Price includes shipping anywhere. Includes engraving if you would like it.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
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