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OP
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I first saw one of these about 20 years ago and they were quite expensive, about $250 for a 12 inch ball so I passed. But I just happened to think of them a few days back (there are not many things that I don't buy that I think are really neat and want and forget) and coincidentally I was walking thru Walmart's last night and they had them on sale for less than $20. I couldn't wait to slap the plastic down and get it home. Of course, my kids confiscated it....oh, well..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> They are called "The Electrostorm Ball". And they have little "bolts' of lightning that initiate in the center off of a pole type thingie (high tech word I got from Big Stick) and the "bolts" radiate in all directions out to the enclosing glass ball. Touch the ball and a stronger appearing bolt goes to the point of contact. Of course, there is no feeling of shock involved. The instructions mention that the glass ball contains some inert gas.
Can anyone 'splain this neat and totally worthless gadget to me.
"When we put [our enlisted men and women] in harm's way, it had better count for something. It can't be because some policy wonk back here has a brain fart of an idea of a strategy that isn't thought out." General Zinni on Iraq
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Campfire Outfitter
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You best keep your eye on that static electricity ball. Boris used two of them things to make Frankenstein. I seen it on the movie when I was 6. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> It will dang sure make your hair stand up. If you still have any.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1795
"Give me liberty or give me death"
Patrick Henry 1775
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Less than $20? I'm going to Walmart! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I NEED one of those. What(ever) this guy said. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Power Labs
Jeff
I'm NOT the JScottRupp of Wolfe Publishing.
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OP
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JScott: Thanks for the site/explanation. Now if I have a week or two, I'll understand it, maybe. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> So what I have is a plasma machine. Neato. Well worth the money.
"When we put [our enlisted men and women] in harm's way, it had better count for something. It can't be because some policy wonk back here has a brain fart of an idea of a strategy that isn't thought out." General Zinni on Iraq
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hey fli
I believe its a tessla coil.
BB
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OP
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BB: Since I spent 10 minutes reading the above supplied site, I qualify as an internet expert on said item... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> As best as I understand it, it is NOT exactly a Tessla coil, although the principles are similar and the general idea was discovered/invented by Nicolai Tessla who called it an Inert Gas Discharge Tube.
"When we put [our enlisted men and women] in harm's way, it had better count for something. It can't be because some policy wonk back here has a brain fart of an idea of a strategy that isn't thought out." General Zinni on Iraq
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
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Flies--my daughter has one--no home should be without one of those whatchamacallits. Great fun at sleepovers (for her, that is) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Proudly representing oil companies, defense contractors, and firearms manufacturers since 1980. Because merchants of death need lawyers, too.
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Eye,cap'in; the plasma generator is running at full power now! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke 1795
"Give me liberty or give me death"
Patrick Henry 1775
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How does that gizmo affect radio frequency waves in the vicinity? I'm always looking for a source of boom-box counter-annoyance devices.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross
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IIFID,
Quote: "invented by Nicolai Tessla who called it an Inert Gas Discharge Tube"...... I worked with a guy once that had one of those things, and it terminated somewheres under his belt near the back of his pants. As far as the gas being inert, I doubt that!
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov 4:23)
Brother Keith
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How does that gizmo affect radio frequency waves in the vicinity? I'm always looking for a source of boom-box counter-annoyance devices.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross Hmmm, if this will work perhap it would be a bit more covert that the rocket launcher I was working on... Not near as much fun, but then again given the litigious nature of our current society the more overt expression of displeasure could have some bothersome legal consequences... 2nd w
Please don't feed the trolls!
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Well CAT, from your title line it's easy to explain. After you get it out of the box, just plug it into the electrical outlet and switch it on. The rest is automatic, nothing else to do but watch the display. -- I'm headed for the dlake to catch supper. -- no
A hint to the wise is sufficient! Experience is the best teacher!
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
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SOME posters continue to prove that a) age does not necessarily bring wisdom and b) there is no age limit on being a smartazz. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
"When we put [our enlisted men and women] in harm's way, it had better count for something. It can't be because some policy wonk back here has a brain fart of an idea of a strategy that isn't thought out." General Zinni on Iraq
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Can one of you scientific types explain how this works?
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
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SOME POSTERS overly complicate everything! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
George Orwell was a Prophet, not a novelist. Read 1984 and then look around you!
Old cat turd!
"Some men just need killing." ~ Clay Allison.
I am too old to fight but I can still pull a trigger. ~ Me
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See my post for simplicity. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
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OP
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T Lee: I'm not even going to bite on that upstart's bait. However, I will say this, I may not have known how a inert gas discharge tube works, but I ain't upside down on a car loan and looking to dig myself deeper into a hole. The young haven't learned the first rule of holes....when you find yourself in one, quit digging. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
"When we put [our enlisted men and women] in harm's way, it had better count for something. It can't be because some policy wonk back here has a brain fart of an idea of a strategy that isn't thought out." General Zinni on Iraq
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So what would you have me do then....?
Buying that Blazer was a mistake, but I won't be pouring more money down that pit.
And I gotta have dependable transportation.
And I don't have cash to pay for it.
What's the magic word here?
Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
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Posts: 73,096
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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I heard that CAT, might want to throw down the shovel as well.
Matt, suck it up and drive your money out of that one before you jump into Lake Deepdebt.
George Orwell was a Prophet, not a novelist. Read 1984 and then look around you!
Old cat turd!
"Some men just need killing." ~ Clay Allison.
I am too old to fight but I can still pull a trigger. ~ Me
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Problem is that I'll end up paying more money for maintenance than anything else.
Add downtime and irritated wife to that.
What to do?
Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
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