Elon Musk’s Flamethrower is a Roofing Torch in Cosplay Disguise

"MotoArigato" (MotoArigato) 01/30/2018 at 12:04 • Filed to: elon musk, spacex, tesla, boring company, flamethrower, roofers torch, motoarigato, marrs

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Elon Musk only just announced the ability to preorder a very Star Wars-looking flamethrower as a promotional gadget for his Boring Company tunnel-building venture, and so far the news has been aflutter with how many units have been sold (8,000 units), the value of those units ($4-million+), and how one California politician is already working to institute a ban on the gadgets.

One thing that seems overlooked so far is determining what exactly these things are? Is this a true “flamethrower” in the traditional sense or a rich-guy plaything to purchase on a whim? The answer is both, and not both at the same time. It is technically a flamethrower of course because it.... ummm... throws flames, BUT, the ATF generally defines a flamethrower as a device that can shoot a flame over 10-feet and regulates such devices as weapons. This one only forces a flame out about 1-4 feet if we base our judgement on Elon Musk’s own Instagram posts showing him playing with the device in the corridors of one of his companies (possibly Space-X given the large Earth and Mars images that dominate the wall behind him).

What these devices appear to be in actuality are roofing torches used to heat and lay down tar and other roofing materials by heating them enough so they adhere in all temperatures, but outfitted with a specially-built shell that gives them the appearance of futuristic assault weapons. (Interestingly, this is also what the propmakers of Starship Troopers did to achieve their Morita Assault Rifle, they simply built fiberglass hard-cases that fit right over a functioning factory stock Ruger Mini 1.)

While roofing torches can be had for as little as $30 for your bog-standard Harbor Freight Death Inducer™, tho really pro-level units cost upwards of $400, so you can see that the markups involved in creating these fire-puking gadgets isn’t really too severe when you consider the uniqueness of the item and the fact that some people pay far more than the $500 asking price on replica light sabres that, let me remind you, do not have the ability to burn a hole through your boss’ office wall.

Cool stuff Elon!

This article originally appeared on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

crowmolly > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 12:15

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Honestly his Instagram post fucks it up. He’s playing with a large open flame.

If they sold it without him looking like a giddy kid I think there might not be this much blowback.

XJDano > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 12:29

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The roofing torches are typically called rose buds, as to not be confused with oxy acetylene cutting torches.

Also it’s a Mini 14. Super fun guns.

Azrek > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 12:29

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Can I strap my Pulse Rifle to it?

vondon302 > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 12:58

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Meh we’ve been selling the real deal in Michigan for awhile now.

https://store.xm42.com/  

https://throwflame.com/products/flamethrower/

TorqueToYield > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 13:08

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I think it’s pretty genius to just keep having the boring company sell millions of dollars worth of schwag to fund their real projects.

People will pretty much but whatever he sells with the boring company sticker slapped on the side.

I thought the ‘flame thrower’ was just a silly bit of fun. I don’t think anybody had any real doubt it was a real flamethrower. I kind of want one just to resell on eBay or keep as a collectors item.

McMike > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 13:34

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Fixed.

BigBlock440 > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 14:30

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and how one California politician is already working to institute a ban on the gadgets.

Of course they are, it looks scary.

Kanaric > crowmolly 01/30/2018 at 19:16

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There is just blowback from ignorant morons who want to ban everything that looks scary. From pit bulls, to cars, to guns with “scary” furniture on them. If it looks frigtenting is must be banned.

On top of it that politician from California who is a complete arrogant asshole saying that this is “insensitive” to California because of wildfires. It’s like he think his is the only state when there are 49 others.

MotoArigato > Azrek 01/30/2018 at 20:58

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That was my second thought after Starship Troopers.

MotoArigato > vondon302 01/30/2018 at 20:59

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I found these during my research for the article. Super cool, super need.

MotoArigato > McMike 01/30/2018 at 21:00

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Thanks, can you feed my dogs tomorrow morning too?

MotoArigato > BigBlock440 01/30/2018 at 21:00

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You get all the lolz

McMike > MotoArigato 01/30/2018 at 21:21

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That’s a weird request. I don’t even know where you live.

crowmolly > XJDano 01/30/2018 at 21:29

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Rose bud is also type of tip. I have one for my oxy acetylene setup. Kind of “unfocused” large heat.