Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Bogie on February 05, 2022, 10:07:38 PM

Title: The Rodenator...
Post by: Bogie on February 05, 2022, 10:07:38 PM
One would think that I would have heard of this before...
 
https://stlouis.craigslist.org/grd/d/sullivan-rodenator-r1-underground-flame/7433692725.html
 
Heh... Needs an O2 tank?
 
I suspect that one could get a sizable fireball...
 
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: HankB on February 05, 2022, 11:39:03 PM
I like the seller's comment . . . "it looks like it would work" . . .  :rofl:
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: 230RN on February 06, 2022, 12:41:55 AM
SOP, but don't need all that equipment.  Just a source of propane, tubing, and an ignition system, such as a spark plug or even a cannon fuse.

Mix propane and air (already in the hole) insert ignition system, cover hole, ignite.  Overpressure kills the underground beasts.  Can go awry, but just shovel the dirt back in the hole.

Propane and plain old air make a pretty good explosive mixture, don't need O2.  Here's a multi-firing bird dispersal system for orchards:

https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/WCSRJM8.html
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Fly320s on February 06, 2022, 08:01:05 AM
Like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzApW0WsVfs
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Ben on February 06, 2022, 08:13:07 AM
Like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzApW0WsVfs

 :rofl:

Was that the gopher flopping around next to the yellow hose?
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Fly320s on February 06, 2022, 08:29:11 AM
:rofl:

Was that the gopher flopping around next to the yellow hose?

Might have been.  I thought it was a small fire at first. 
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: HankB on February 06, 2022, 11:09:30 AM
Like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzApW0WsVfs
Wonder if he broke any windows with that boom . . .  :rofl:

The dogs didn't seem terribly frightened - maybe they're used to these sort of goings on.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Ben on February 06, 2022, 11:20:43 AM
I'm lucky that never happened to my dad. He used to love gassing the gophers with propane, but never lit it off. They did that a lot in the farm fields in CA for ground squirrels. Some of the explosions were pretty spectacular.

I would not want to use this method with the pocket gophers and Piute ground squirrels I get by my house. Those guys tunnel like crazy. Even though most of my mounds have been a good distance from my house, I have found "sunken areas" in my back lawn, and when I probed, I found tunnels. Don't know if they are new or old. Nevertheless, I would hate to fill a ginormous tunnel system like that from a mound 50 yards from the house, and then turn out to have an explosion right next to the foundation.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: 230RN on February 06, 2022, 08:21:57 PM
Wonder if he broke any windows with that boom . . .  :rofl:

The dogs didn't seem terribly frightened - maybe they're used to these sort of goings on.

Good ole bird dawgs.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Bogie on February 06, 2022, 08:32:07 PM
Folks have been killed by people running hoses from exhaust pipes into holes that opened up in crawlspaces, etc...
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: 230RN on February 06, 2022, 08:39:51 PM
Bird Banger

https://youtu.be/BQrv-Y6yDU0 (2:38)

Effectiveness:

https://youtu.be/EQJJ3g7HLe4 (0:30

Dogs probably barking at the bird noise.

Details:

https://youtu.be/X4OUr2HfVN8 (1:58)

No O2 needed beyond atmospheric.

I would think the music alone would do the trick.  =(
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Bogie on February 06, 2022, 09:11:09 PM
You know, some folks just pour gasoline down the hole. Stand around, watch where you see vapor, roll a rock on that, and after a little bit, stand back and toss a gas-soaked torch at the main hole...
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: 230RN on February 06, 2022, 11:45:46 PM
They do?

If you say so. 

Gasoline tends to stick around nearly forever when spilled on the ground.

???

Terry
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Bogie on February 07, 2022, 12:04:45 AM
Saw some folks at Knob Creek build their bonfire in a little bit of a depression. It was interesting watching them light it. There was a Foom.
 
As for it sticking around... It does bad things to groundhogs that dig holes that cause steers to break legs. And it is cheap, or at least it was. Blow it up, tamp it down.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: 230RN on February 07, 2022, 12:39:11 AM
Yes, foom.

The vapors travel outward, unseen, along the ground, mixing with air.

You apply ignition source to the main mass.

Foom indeed. 

https://youtu.be/BCXjlshi770 (0:27 of fun, fun, fun)

Dumbest effing thing I ever heard of.

But... Yes... people do it.

Acetone acts in a similar manner.  The heavy vapors creep along the floor until they reach an ignition point.  Like the pilot light in the furnace.

Foom.

And the foomer becomes the foomee.

Terry, 230RN
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Bogie on February 07, 2022, 10:59:05 AM
The knob creek thing was more of a foom, rather than a boom - they stood back a piece... What was really impressive was when one idjit tried to open up a running Coleman stove to pour fuel in... They did a FAST medivac for those guys. Never did hear if they made it... There was a brief glow in the sky.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: BobR on February 07, 2022, 12:34:08 PM
I remember a while back we discussed the Rodenator. When I was in Spokane the City Parks Dept used one to get rid of ground squirrels until the locals had a hissy fit. They were happier with sidewalks collapsing and other damage i guess.

https://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=7615.msg123846#msg123846


bob
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Cliffh on February 09, 2022, 02:10:49 PM
Yes, foom.

The vapors travel outward, unseen, along the ground, mixing with air.

You apply ignition source to the main mass.

Foom indeed. 

https://youtu.be/BCXjlshi770 (0:27 of fun, fun, fun)

Dumbest effing thing I ever heard of.

But... Yes... people do it.

Acetone acts in a similar manner.  The heavy vapors creep along the floor until they reach an ignition point.  Like the pilot light in the furnace.

Foom.

And the foomer becomes the foomee.

Terry, 230RN

I've got a burn area setup in the backyard.  Used sheets of corrugated steel to make an enclosure ~ 12'x12'x2'.  Filled it about 5' high with tree limbs, brush etc.  Poured about a cup of gasoline on it.  Tossed a light piece of paper in.

Blew out the side of the enclosure.

Since then I use the propane weed burner to light it off.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: K Frame on February 09, 2022, 02:13:22 PM
My Grandfather always used a bundle of rags, corn stalks, whatever, soaked in some kerosene to light his brush piles.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: RocketMan on February 09, 2022, 04:57:34 PM
I've been using used motor oil from my yard equipment.  Starts nice and easy, no whoomph.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Cliffh on February 09, 2022, 06:12:48 PM
I've tried using used motor oil, but have a hard time getting it to light. 
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Fly320s on February 09, 2022, 08:26:59 PM
I've tried using used motor oil, but have a hard time getting it to light.

Pour some gasoline on it.   :rofl:
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Bogie on February 09, 2022, 08:47:21 PM
Let the oil soak a little... Small amount of gas in a small area, throw something at it, and it will catch the oil, which will then catch the gopher on fire.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Cliffh on February 09, 2022, 08:52:29 PM
Let the oil soak a little... Small amount of gas in a small area, throw something at it, and it will catch the oil, which will then catch the gopher on fire.

And then there's a gopher on fire, running around the yard setting everything else on fire. =)
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: 230RN on February 09, 2022, 09:28:57 PM
My Grandfather always used a bundle of rags, corn stalks, whatever, soaked in some kerosene to light his brush piles.
Kerosene is a leeeetle bit different from gasoline.  Lower vaporization. People can use it indoors.

       (https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/kerosene-lamp-4086377.jpg)

Yes, mantle-type gasoline lanterns can also be used indoors but you dast not spill any white gas in the house or tent and then attempt to get one going.

Foom.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: K Frame on February 10, 2022, 07:48:38 AM
"Kerosene is a leeeetle bit different from gasoline.  Lower vaporization. People can use it indoors."

Gee, ya think? That's why my Grandfather used it to start his brush piles... because he loved his eyebrows right where they were.

I've seen a LOT of gasoline lamps in operation in homes over the years. Still used pretty heavily by the Amish.

Nothing like adding an insane amount of heat to the house in the middle of summer, though.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Bogie on February 10, 2022, 07:57:10 AM
I use a kerosene heater in my workshop. However, kerosene is expensive around here.
 
Usually just fill it with diesel. Road diesel (ultra low sulfur) is a less nasty than #2.
 
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: 230RN on February 10, 2022, 09:43:45 AM
K Frame:
Quote
Gee, ya think? That's why my Grandfather used it to start his brush piles... because he loved his eyebrows right where they were.

I've seen a LOT of gasoline lamps in operation in homes over the years. Still used pretty heavily by the Amish.

Are you disagreeing?

Kerosene for starting fires outdoors is less foomy.

Use of gasoline lamps in the house themselves is unfoomy, but their possible spillage indoors is much more foomy than with kerosene lamps.

 :rofl:

Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: K Frame on February 10, 2022, 10:31:43 AM
Disagreeing?

No.

"Kerosene is a leeeetle bit different from gasoline."

Just kind of a Captain Obvious moment there...
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: Jim147 on February 10, 2022, 10:43:11 AM
And then there's a gopher on fire, running around the yard setting everything else on fire. =)

I set a brush pile on fire behind the house years ago. Flaming pack rats can run pretty quick.
Title: Re: The Rodenator...
Post by: HeroHog on February 10, 2022, 06:31:49 PM
YEARS ago, my dad was going to give me a demonstration on the flammability of gasoline via a back yard brush pile. Poured the gas, got back a "safe distance" tossed a lit match in the pile's general direction, was immediately engulfed in the LARGE "FOOM!". After running back, dropping and rolling, just in case, he looked at me and said "ok, that was a little more than I was counting on but you get the picture."