Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Measure and Cut the Frame
Slide on work gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask for skin and eye protection.
Measure and cut a 2 inch-by-2 inch aluminum metal tube to 3 feet long -- to act as the bottom cross brace for the tall rectangular Pitch Burst frame.
Measure and cut four 2 inch-by-2 inch aluminum metal tubes to 6 foot long: two tubes for the vertical braces for the frame; one tube for the extended top cross brace; and one tube for the Pitch Burst lever.
Measure and cut the 2 foot, 6 inch long, 2 inch-by-2 inch aluminum metal tubes -- the two support braces on which the frame will stand. Place these two pieces aside for use in later steps.
Make the Pitch Burst
Lay the frame on the ground into the shape of the frame. The frame should measure 3 feet-by-6 feet -- with an extended horizontal brace at the top extending outward an additional 4 feet. Warm the solder gun. Rub solder wire onto the tip. Clean the tip with a wet sponge. Touch the ends of each piece together and solder. You will have one 6 foot long, 2 inch-by-2 inch aluminum metal tube -- the lever piece -- left over.
Position the remaining 6 foot long, 2 inch-by-2 inch aluminum metal tube at a 45 degree angle, at center, on the left frame post. The tube should angle upward with the top 3 inches under the extended cross brace. Fasten the tube at this angle with a large saddle clip and two 3/8 inch metal screws. The large clip gives the lever room to jostle when the bull's-eye is hit and pops the balloon.
Attach the 3 inch-by-3 inch metal plate -- the bull's-eye -- to the opposite end of the lever with two 3/8 inch metal screws.
Drill a 1 inch metal screw through the end of the top end of the lever so that the point is facing forward. The screw will be used to actually pop the balloon. Loop a rubber band over the end of the extended cross brace and the top of the lever for a bit of additional security.
Stand the frame upright. Solder the side two side support braces -- the ones you set aside at the end of Section 1 -- to the outside of each bottom frame corner. Glue a Nerf basketball hoop to the end of the extended cross frame with permanent epoxy. Bond wire mesh fabric to the perimeter of the frame with permanent epoxy to catch the balls that whiz by the bull's-eye. Place a balloon filled with water into the hoop and make a splash.