# SHOTGUN AXE MK2 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vICU4PTPbuo Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/vICU4PTPbuo Generated: 2025-09-30T14:32:57.28+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The creator successfully tested a custom-built, 3D-printed shotgun axe head attachment, which uses high-pressure gas from a shotgun shell to blow wood logs apart when struck, ultimately succeeding in splitting pine and Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus logs, though the first attempt on the eucalyptus cracked the axe head. **Key Points:** - The creator designed and built a custom 3D-printed axe head attachment that uses the gas from a shotgun shell to split wood. - The initial test splitting pine wood resulted in the log splitting cleanly, producing 1.4 liters of gas, which burned at 2 inches/second (5 cm/s). - The second test on denser Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus caused the axe head to crack upon impact, although the log split. - The custom mechanism, made of brass, features a trigger mechanism to release the gas upon impact with the log. - The creator noted that the initial axe head design had a square-edged blade, which was less effective than the final arrow-shaped blade design, which was then sharpened. - The final successful axe head featured a narrow, pointed blade shape, which proved better at penetration than the initial rounded design. - The creator spent a week building the trigger mechanism and mentioned that the Onshape CAD software was instrumental in the design process. ![Screenshot at 13:04: The wood-chopping experiment begins outdoors with the creator, dressed in red, suspenders, and protective gear, preparing to swing the custom axe attachment at a log stack.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-13-04.png) **Context:** The video documents the process of designing, manufacturing, and testing a highly unusual device: a specialized axe head attachment that utilizes the high-pressure gas from a fired shotgun shell to assist in splitting firewood. The creator designed the components using Onshape CAD software and had the metal parts (made of stainless steel or brass for later versions) 3D-printed. The experiment involves securing the modified axe head to a standard axe handle and striking logs with a mechanism designed to trigger the gas release upon impact. ## Detailed Analysis The creator details the construction of a 'Shotgun Axe MK2,' a device where a 3D-printed axe head attachment is modified to use the gas from a shotgun shell to aid in splitting wood upon impact. The initial design was made from a gray resin print, but the creator later opted for metal parts, specifically mentioning 316L stainless steel and brass for the trigger mechanism. The creation process involved extensive CAD work in Onshape, where the creator noted designing a specialized arrow-shaped blade geometry for better penetration, contrasting it with a rounder, square-edged prototype. The testing involved two main types of wood: pine and Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus. The pine test was successful, producing a clean split and generating 1.4 liters of gas that burned at 2 inches/second (5 cm/s). However, the subsequent test on the much denser Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus resulted in the metal axe head cracking upon impact, though the log did split. The creator also demonstrated the complexity of the brass trigger mechanism, which releases the gas when the axe impacts the wood. Ultimately, the experiment showed that while the concept works, durability (especially of the 3D-printed components or the initial metal parts) is a major challenge, leading the creator to conclude that the design needs refinement. ### Axe Head Design & Manufacturing - The axe head was designed in Onshape, featuring an arrow-shaped blade geometry for better penetration, contrasting with an earlier square-edged prototype - The metal parts for the trigger mechanism were ordered via JLCPCB 3D printing service using Stainless Steel, with the entire process taking about a week to receive the parts. ### Propellant & Energy Demonstration - The device uses the high-pressure gas from a shotgun shell to assist in splitting wood - The gas produced from the pine test burned at a rate of 2 inches/second (5 cm/s), yielding 1.4 liters of gas. ### Wood Splitting Tests - The first test on pine wood resulted in a clean split - The second test on dense Tasmanian Blue Gum Eucalyptus cracked the metal axe head upon impact, though the log still split. ### Trigger Mechanism - A complex brass trigger mechanism was built to release the gas upon impact, involving springs and linkages to hit the primer of the shell. ### Reflections and Future Work - The creator admitted to making mistakes, such as not checking the density of the eucalyptus beforehand, and noted that the final metal version of the trigger mechanism was still slightly wobbly, suggesting further refinement is needed. ![Screenshot at 00:04: The creator striking a log outdoors with the modified axe head, causing wood dust to explode outwards.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:09: The creator holding the newly 3D-printed axe head attachment, showing the complex shape and the small holes for gas release.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-00-09.png) ![Screenshot at 00:12: A close-up, high-speed view of the electrolysis setup used to generate hydrogen and oxygen gas.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-00-12.png) ![Screenshot at 00:33: A close-up view of the 3D model in Onshape, highlighting the internal volume and the narrow exhaust slots on the blade.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-00-33.png) ![Screenshot at 01:00: An advertisement slide showing examples of metal 3D printing offered by JLCPCB, noting the use of 316L stainless steel.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-01-00.png) ![Screenshot at 02:33: A demonstration comparing the two hydrogen and oxygen atoms \(blue balls\) to one oxygen atom \(red ball\) to explain the H2O ratio.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-02-33.png) ![Screenshot at 05:06: A close-up of the electrolysis setup running, showing the power supply displaying 14.4V and 4.22A.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-05-06.png) ![Screenshot at 08:07: A comparison shot showing the final arrow-shaped blade \(right\) versus the initial rounded prototype \(left\) after grinding.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-08-07.png) ![Screenshot at 10:10: An exploded assembly view of the brass trigger mechanism showing its complex linkage system.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-10-10.png) ![Screenshot at 13:04: The creator celebrating after successfully splitting the log with the device outdoors under a bright blue sky.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/vICU4PTPbuo/00-13-04.png)