I wanted to see if I could make my black powder mortar that I got from Backpowder Cannons work as a shotgun.
The first thing I did was take my soda cans and open up the top. The idea was to use the soda can as a sabot to hold the “buckshot” together and then discard after the projectile left the barrel.
I have a buckshot mold, but it takes so long to get rounds that I used gravel for my test.
As you can see in the video, it worked. Additionally, it might not be apparent is that gravel is too light for a mortar shotgun.
I should have used my cast lead buckshot. The weight of the lead would have made a difference. At some point I want to redo this experiment as I think a mortar shotgun is a cool thing to have. Nothing says get off my lawn like a few hundred rounds of 000 buckshot raining down from the mountaintop.
Actually, I would never use this offensively, but I really want to see what it would do to a target.
I really enjoy my black powder mortar, and you really should think about getting one.
Of all the toys I have have had, nothing is as fun as my Beer Can Mortar. I love making up rounds and then experimenting with how different powders impact my range.
Since I was tearing down the trailer anyway, I decided to have a little fun. I wanted to see if I could shoot my cannon into the wall of the trailer.
I did not know what to expect, and I was a little nervous.
Luckily, there was nothing to be nervous about. The loose fit of the mortar, and the small amount of powder I used kept the can mortar round from doing too much damage.
Actually, the mortar is not designed to be a direct fire weapon. Rather it lobs the rounds up and over to land down on the target. The round probably would have done more damage if I shot it froma farther distance and let the cement filled soda can fall down from the sky.
In the end, it did not matter how much damage the round did, as I was only trying to have a little fun showing off my can cannon.
Once again, I think everyone should own a beer can mortar.
I used the backhoe to tear down most of the trailer, but due to the hillside behind the trailer, I could not get the tractor into position to tear the building completely down. Lucky I had some chain and a receiver hitch shackle like the one pictured.
I simply clipped the chain to the shackle and the other end to the walls I wanted to pull down and away we went. This is not rocket science, and the video of my Dad’s truck pulling down a trailer wall is pretty short.
We just filmed it so I could show my wife that I do work when I go to the land.
She thinks I go to get out of the house and we don’t really do anything out there. To be fair, when I do convince her to come visit the land she can’t really tell what has changed.
Developing a homestead can be overwhelming, especially when you live far away and have budget AND time issues.
However, there is a big difference in the place now that I have most of the trailer down and gone.
The first couple of times we wrapped the chain around the ball, but that was dangerous and it kept slipping. Eventually I bought a shackle and it helped immensely in Pulling Down a Trailer Wall
Though we do believe that proper martial arts training is the best way to learn an arsenal of effective self-defense moves, there are some basic moves that you can easily learn without having to spend years of training.
On this post, the team at BookMartialArts.com is sharing 5 self-defense moves that anyone can learn and use to defend themselves during a violent physical attack.
Please note that we highly recommend for you to seek the assistance of an experienced martial artist and/or a professional to demonstrate how you can safely and properly execute these self-defense moves to avoid unwanted harm or injury to yourself or others.
The Wrist Lock
BJJ No Gi Wrist Lock Variations Tutorial. Video credit: Stuart Tomlinson YouTube channel
This straight-forward yet effective technique comes from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and it is a move that anyone regardless of size, age or fitness ability can do. The wrist lock variations comes in handy when an attacker gets hold on your wrist. To execute the simplest form of this move, rather than pulling back, you will need to squat down. Once in this stance, proceed by leaning forward and bending your elbow towards the attacker’s forearm until you free yourself of his grip.
The Eye Gouge
Image credit: Tipsforsurvivalist.com
The thought of gouging someone’s eyes is enough to make most people shudder. However, it is definitely an effective method to free yourself when an attacker gets a hold of you.
There are different ways to execute an eye gouge, however, the simplest way is to aim both of your index and middle fingers towards the attacker’s eyes and poke them hard. You can also opt to use your thumbs for maximum impact.
With the thumb eye gouge, you would need to place your hands on the side of the attacker’s face and press your thumbs as hard as you can into the eyes.
The Stomp Kick
How to Do a Toe Stomp. Video credit: Howcast YouTube channel
Our legs are generally stronger than our arms so kicks may be one of the best ways to easily get away from an attacker. A toe stomp kick is a move that is easiest and most effective to do so.
Start by bringing your knee up and drive your heel down as hard towards your attacker’s instep as fast and as hard as you can. If you kick hard enough, you may just break some bones and severely injure his foot enabling you not only to escape from him but also prevents him from running after you. Ladies, this technique is particularly useful when you are using stilletos or high heels as the heels of your shoe can act as a ‘weapon’ and likely to help in severely injuring the assailant.
The Palm Strike
Image credit: Howcast.com
Instead of the usual punch done with a clenched fist, this technique uses the ‘meaty’ portion of the bottom of your hand – located by your wrist.
This move will do enough harm and confuse your attacker, giving you enough time to flee from him. Plus, hitting with the heel of your palm is less painful (for you) than throwing a punch!
Though the palm strike is particularly effective when aimed straight up towards the attacker’s neck, it can be as effective when used to target the opponent’s head or shoulder.
The Groin Kick
Groin Kick Techniques for Krav Maga. Video credit: Expert Village YouTube Channel
This move is one that is taken out from Krav Maga’s playbook. Also known as the “Art of Staying Alive”, Krav Maga moves are designed with effectiveness and efficiency in mind.
The groin kick, however ‘crass’ it may seem, gets the job done quickly. To carry it out properly, you would need to aim for and kick your attacker’s groin as fast and as hard as you can.
Start by facing your attacker with the leg you’ll be kicking with behind you. Then, proceed to kick out and upwards between the attackers legs with your shin for maximum impact.
I hope these Self-Defense Moves that Anyone Can Learn help you stay safe.
If you want more I linked to a comprehensive article on different types of Martial Arts Training.
By: Lystia Putranto
Lystia is a contributing writer for BookMartialArts.com, the world’s leading martial arts theme travel website. She’s fascinated by all types of martial arts and can’t get enough of martial arts moves both on screen & off.
This is an experiment in using spray foam alone to insulate a conex box.
This particular spray foam in a conex box idea did not work. The problem was the box developed condensation inside which caused the spray foam to fall off.
If I had supported the spray foam by adding a sheet of foam or other backer the spray foam in a conex box would have stayed up.
Additionally, I think that if I would have done it in a warmer time, or roughed the pain to allow better adhesion it would have worked better.
The next plan is probably better (and cheaper) as I will use my foam cutter to slice foam board into strips to glue into the conex side corrugation and then I will use spray foam to seal the sheets into a single mass.
In reality, I bought a foam nozzle that spread the foam into a wide stream and wanted to try it out. I did not really think this would work, and kinda did not want it to.
This is because a can of foam is around $5.00 and it took a can to do about one and a half strips.
Which would mean it would be cheaper to pay a commercial spray foam installer to come and puts pray foam in a conex box
I used the 
Though we do believe that proper martial arts training is the best way to learn an arsenal of effective self-defense moves, there are some basic moves that you can easily learn without having to spend years of training.
