http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/crossbow Questions tagged with 'crossbow' at Ask MetaFilter. Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:10:37 -0800 Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:10:37 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/35284/Is%2Da%2Dsomewhat%2Dpractical%2Drebar%2Dcrossbow%2Dpossible A crossbow that fires rebar. AND: Superheating the rebar. First:<br> <br> In Half-Life 2, my favorite weapon happens to be what looks like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:HL2Crossbow.jpg">homemade crossbow</a> that fires rebars heated by a lantern battery. Obviously this is pretty farfetched, but would a crossbow that fires the smallest rebar (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebar">Imperial #3 at .376</a>) be all that farfetched? <br> Bolts weighing 10.5 grains per inch are mentioned on this <a href="http://www.keystonecountrystore.com/Crossbows_-_Crossbow_Accessories.html">page</a>. This comes out to .0015 pounds per inch, with the rebar being .031333... pounds per inch.<br> <br> The rebars in the game are longer than six inches by far, but for the purposes of this question assume that the crossbow would be firing six inch rebar.<br> <br> Secondly:<br> <br> I'm guessing a lantern battery isn't enough power to heat up rebar enough that it glows (as it does in the game). My knowledge of electricity is somewhat limited, so I must ask: How much Wattage/Amperage/Voltage would it take to heat up some rebar to that point? Assume six inches again. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2006:site.35284 Tue, 28 Mar 2006 23:10:37 -0800 archery crossbow diy halflife halflife2 rebar cellphone