HOW TO - Make your own throwing stars

Fjb6Vj1Urkep282P2X.Medium
If you have a welder and some old box cutter blades you can make your own throwing stars, Saga writes "Ever wondered what to do with all of your old box knife blades? Well, instead of throwing them in the garbage can, you can throw them AT the garbage can. Project consists of welding six blades together to make the fiercest throwing star you have ever seen." - Link.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: benjiwenjifoofoo on June 30, 2006 at 3:49 PM

is make liable for any damages that some jackass does to himself?

well... at least it preaches recycling old blades instead of just throwing them away.


Posted by: Fredex on June 30, 2006 at 4:37 PM

And if you are stopped with one of those in your car? [Insert innocent explanation here.]


Posted by: Dirkus on June 30, 2006 at 7:34 PM

And tommorow on MAKE, how to make a tournequet from an old leather belt, how to make bandaids from old t-shirts and duct tape, and how to do your own sutures the quick and easy way, using a bent sewing needle and unflavored dental floss! (Do not, I say again, DO NOT do this with the cinnamon flavored floss!)

Just throwing some ideas out there...
(and some bad puns too)


Posted by: Culito on June 30, 2006 at 7:49 PM

Ouch.


Posted by: cyenobite on July 1, 2006 at 7:09 AM

As much as I think this is a cool little project, and that If I were 15 again, I'd be trying to make this myself, I agree, that I think you've crossed a line in teaching people how to make a weapon. "With great Maker power, comes great Maker responsibility"


Posted by: NickCarter on July 1, 2006 at 10:13 AM

Hey, it's not as if they posted a link to a site showing the scratchbuilding of an AR-15 or anything

http://www.warpedairsmithing.com/arblog/main.asp

But I will....


Posted by: TheLoweringTide on July 1, 2006 at 11:31 PM

When I was about 13 I made throwing stars out of box cutter blades by putting a pair of blades together in opposite directions (if you're visualizing it correctly there are now 4 pointy bits instead of 2), putting another pair crosswise and binding the whole thing up with telephone wire. They were pretty vicious, but this design is much cooler.

And of course the real moral of the story is that kids don't need instructions on a website to figure out how to make something cool and dangerous.


Posted by: philliptorrone on July 2, 2006 at 2:09 PM

there aren't many posts like the throwing star post, it's actually a welding project - so, there's a barrier of entry (i think) to do the project. if someone has a welder, and welds i don't think they're likely to do anything not safe. when i was a kid, i welded stars and threw them at targets and trees. i never got hurt and no one else did either, i was an only child however


Posted by: Mattyfu on July 2, 2006 at 7:51 PM

"well... at least it preaches recycling old blades instead of just throwing them away."

It's still throwing them away...just more awesomer.


Posted by: Unomi on July 3, 2006 at 3:21 AM

Yeah, I made those myself too, but hurt myself with one as well. The thing stuck in my leg and the fun was over imediately.

For one thing. Kids can grab a knife from the kitchen and hurt themselves. Parents having tools like this within reach of kids are most responsible for any damage. You can buy darts around the corner and throw ones eye out in a second.

Having that said, a throwing star is not lethal, but should be carefully balanced. Otherwise the path of throwing is unpredictable and can have unintended results. Such thing can wobble a couple of inches easily.

Ever had a frisbee that wobbled? So the frisbee was unbalanced? Same for this.....

- Unomi -


Posted by: Muddler on July 5, 2006 at 12:52 PM

I agree that this doesn't seem to belong on Make. Not only is it dangerous and rather stupid, it isn't very useful or interesting like some of the other posts.

Make should have some sort of block for anything half the readers made when they were stupid and 14 as not being worthy. Another block for "dumb weapons more likely to hurt the attacker than the attacked" would be a start as well.

Or, failing that next week I suggest the following blog entries:

-HOW TO make an impact grenade from CO2 cartridges and a primer without the DHS knocking on your door

-HOW TO make a bomb out of a bottle, aluminium, and drain cleaner (again without a DHS investigation)

-HOW TO use dry ice to blow stuff up with pressure (not even the DHS thinks this is cool anymore)

-HOW TO use up your part-time after school money paying for damages to property

-HOW TO get used to being on probation

AND

-HOW TO close a wound without Mom finding out with super glue and a fond hope you are up on your tetanus shots

Next month watch for specials on mailbox bowling and pumpkin smashing.


Posted by: Kories Dizeal on January 30, 2008 at 8:19 AM

Yo thats freaking sweet man im gonna make some next year when i go into shop class


Posted by: YourNameHere on July 14, 2009 at 5:57 PM

Do they fly straight?

Do they fly straight? If not then what is their maximum reliable distance.

Thanks


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter

    MAKE's RSS feed is here.
    Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
    How to add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
    Add MAKE on FriendFeed




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Making Char Cloth Learn how to make a cheap and effective fire starter made from an old t-shirt. To download The Char Cloth video click here and subscribe in iTunes. See Char Cloth in action with the Fire Piston from William Gurstelle.... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education

    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog