Office Bricolage

Bola Grenade

by
Nathan Walton
PsychicGoldfish.com

Materials and Tools

Parts:
  • Two New Rolls of 3/4" Width Scotch Tape (tape dispenser refills)
  • Additional Tape
  • One Mechanical Pencil
  • Two No. 1 (Large) Ideal Clamps
  • Several Small Diameter Rubber Bands
  • One Large Paperclip
Tools:
  • One Pair of Scissors
  • One Leatherman Multi-Tool (or similar folding pocket pliers)
  • One Ruler (or similar measuring implement)
  • Miscellaneous Improvised Devices to Help Bend Ideal Clamps (such as cracks in workstation desktop, additional Leatherman tool/pliers, fingernail clippers, and/or a high pain threshhold) (not shown)

Construction


Bola Grenade Components

The Bola Grenade is composed of three basic components: the bola itself, the spring assembly, and the arming pin. These three parts are easily assembled into the ordinance shown below. (Follow the links for construction details.) Note the exposed wire at top. This can be used to carry the device, via improvised hooks or other means. The grenade should not be carried by the arming pin, in order to prevent premature deployment.


Assembled Bola Grenade

Operation


Proper Grip for Arming and Deployment

The Bola Grenade is used as follows:
  1. Remove grenade from carrying hook/harness.
  2. Grasp grenade firmly as shown, making sure to apply pressure to both sides.
  3. Pull arming pin. Maintain pressure on sides of grenade to prevent premature deployment.
  4. Throw grenade at the enemy's legs. An underhand or overhand motion may be used, provided care is taken to keep the grenade roughly horizontal and parallel to the ground upon release.
  5. Spring will throw bola weights in opposite directions, assuring maximum spread of the bola weights.
  6. Bola strikes the enemy, entangling his legs and temporarily restricting movement.
  7. The user is then free to either retreat, or close with the enemy and neutralize him by other means, as circumstances dictate.


Successful Deployment*

* Note that field-improvised dummy legs were used for research and development testing. The designer was unable to find volunteers willing to allow him to repeatedly throw the prototype at their extremities.

Acknowledgements

This project would not have been possible without the inspiration and support of the Bleach Eating Freaks.