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How to Build the Thriller Automatic

The Thriller Automatic is a crossbow-type gun made out of Legos. The creation of German industrial designer Martin Hudepohl, also known as Xubor, the weapon was originally featured in a book called "Lego for Adults." The makers of Lego exerted legal pressure to have the book banned, but at the time of this article's publication, Hudepohl has reprinted the book with the title "Weapons for Lego Lovers." Complete instructions are only available in the book, but many people have attempted to reproduce the Thriller Automatic. There are several clear design steps to take if you would like to try to make your own Lego gun.

Things You'll Need

Legos
Rubber bands

Instructions

- 1
  Create a slide mechanism for the inside of the gun. Despite the name, the Thriller Automatic is not automatic, but requires hand-cocking between shots. The slide must be smooth and has to pull back the rubber band shooting mechanism and clear the breach to allow a brick "bullet" to enter the chamber.
- 2
  Construct the handle with a hollow chamber and open side to allow the loading of individual bricks for ammo. Hudepohl uses two side-mounted pulleys and a rubber band to pull the ammo stack upward into the firing chamber.
- 3
  Make the crossbow arms of as few pieces as possible. Use some of the Lego Bionicle girder-like pieces and pins to create a sturdy platform and provide the firing power of the Thriller Automatic. Hudepohl's design features pulleys on the ends of the crossbow arms for a compound bow look.
- 4
  Build the barrel long and open to provide some control over the aiming of the shots. The trigger mechanism must be able to trip a lever that releases the rubber band shooting mechanism and fires the ammo brick.

Construction Toys