From Popular Science comes news of one Paul Stender, who built a jet-powered outhouse.
"Powered by a 50-year-old, 750-pound Boeing jet turbine that Stender bought for $5,000, the “Port-O-Jet” can top 46 mph with a tailwind. “It’s not real aerodynamic,” he allows. That said, he’s beaten buddy Tim Arfons’s jet barstool two of the four times they’ve raced."
Apparently, this cost Mr. Stender $10,000, and took him ten days of work. While I admire the sheer perverse originality of building a jet outhouse, there are ways of doing completely ludicrous things that take far less time and money. Here's one, which I have actually done:
Take one Chapstick, and twirl the thingo on the bottom until the actual Chapstick is as far out of its casing as possible. Drop it into a double boiler, and while you heat it very slowly, remove as much of the remaining Chapstick as you can, and put it in the double boiler too. When the Chapstick has melted, add two cloves of garlic, squished through a garlic press. Mix it in as quickly as possible (you don't want the garlic to cook.) Then pour the resulting mixture back into the Chapstick container, and put it in the freezer until it has solidified. Voila! Garlic Chapstick! Cost: about two bucks, plus the friendship of anyone you try it on. Time: about ten minutes.
See how easy?
Does the turbine run on natural gas?
Posted by: Timmy the Wonder Dog | January 04, 2005 at 10:53 PM
No (the article mentions "volatile JP-8 fuel"); why do you ask?
Posted by: hilzoy | January 04, 2005 at 10:58 PM
No, he runs it on aircraft fuel - JP-8, if I remember correctly. I picked this up off of Fark yesterday. He uses an old turbine from a Navy ship and actually sits over the thing as he runs this up and down the track.
If you get a chance, you should read the article. It also talks about a jet-powered barstool somebody else built (and there are links), and this guy's jet-powered pickup (jetup truck?) and plans for putting a jet in the back of a school bus. Stay on the curb, now!
CS
Posted by: Captain Sunshine | January 04, 2005 at 11:02 PM
Just wondering if it was environmentally friendly?
Posted by: Timmy the Wonder Dog | January 04, 2005 at 11:02 PM
Finally, a solution for all those times I am both constipated and late for work!
Posted by: Fledermaus | January 04, 2005 at 11:12 PM
Slightly related, but please read this and then buy the book.
Posted by: liberal japonicus | January 04, 2005 at 11:15 PM
Speaking of time on your hands have you seen this?
Posted by: Dave Schuler | January 04, 2005 at 11:35 PM
Something I've always wanted to try:
Take a checkbook and cut out all the checks, leaving a little strip at the top of each check below the perforation. Now glue a twenty-dollar bill to each strip.
Presto. You now have a book of twenties. Go to a store and when it's time to pay, take out the book, tear off a twenty, and hand it to the cashier.
Posted by: Bernard Yomtov | January 05, 2005 at 11:50 AM
For those with not enough time, though: instructions for quick-starting the barbeque. Ready to cook in three seconds.
Posted by: Slartibartfast | January 05, 2005 at 12:02 PM
Just wondering if it was environmentally friendly?
Well, if you cut a hole in the bottom, you can fertilize your crops naturally in no time flat!
Posted by: Phil | January 06, 2005 at 11:21 AM
Hey. I like the chapstick recipie. you should go to my site/Church
The Church of the Living Chapstick
May Chapstick Be With You!
Posted by: Dylan keenen | November 03, 2005 at 01:56 AM