It's a Trap! 024: Mellen Hand Trap

Name: It's a Trap! 024: Mellen Hand Trap
Uploaded: 2025-04-29T16:00:06+00:00
Duration: 20 min 28 s
Channel: C&Rsenal

C&Rsenal

Published on April 29, 2025

Category: Gunsmithing & DIY

Duration: 20:28

This video explores a homemade, left-handed "Melon Hand Trap" based on a 1934 Popular Science article. While the original design aimed for press board or light wood construction, this example is made of metal. The presenters discuss the challenges of replicating the trap today due to variations in modern hardware like nails and wire, and the difficulty in achieving proper spring tension for consistent clay target launching. They demonstrate its use, highlighting the issues caused by its left-handed orientation for right-handed throwers and insufficient spring power, suggesting modifications like a tighter spring are needed for optimal performance.

Quick Summary

A Melon Hand Trap is a DIY clay target thrower based on a 1934 Popular Science article. While the original design used wood, this metal, left-handed version faced issues with weak spring tension and awkwardness for right-handed users, highlighting the challenges of replicating vintage DIY projects with modern materials.

Chapters

00:01Intro & Hat Banter
00:12Aztec Hatchet & History
00:34Hat Logo Incident
01:01Near Accident with Knife
01:28Introducing the Melon Hand Trap
01:31Charles R. Melon & History
01:44Melon Hand Trap of Geneva, NY
01:54Patent and Production History
02:041934 Popular Science Article
02:12Original Material vs. Metal Build
02:36Left-Handed Metal Trap
02:46DIY Trap Building Efforts
03:16Finding the Trap on eBay
03:39Reading Trap Instructions
04:04Trap Mechanism Overview
04:13First Trap Throw Attempt
04:57Left-Handed Throwing Technique
05:24First Throw Results
05:30Strange Trap Behavior
05:36Hockey Player's Attempt
05:44New Plan for Throwing
05:54Trap Performance Issues
06:06Rubber Stopper Wear
06:09Trap Setup Problems
06:14Improving the Equipment
06:21Predictable Failure
06:31Tabletop Football Analogy
06:35Right-Handed Thrower's Attempt
06:43Monster Analogy
06:54Backhand Technique
07:03Left-Handed Throwing Challenges
07:15Considering Equipment Changes
07:18Spring Tension Issues
07:25Holding the Spring
07:31Spring Type Discussion
07:44Lack of Tension Hold
07:49Weak Spring Assessment
07:54Nose Forward Attempt
08:00Awkwardness and Balance
08:06Upside Down Throw Attempt
08:14Flip, Bop, Twist Analogy
08:25No Tension Problem
08:27Holding Tension Manually
08:35Adjusting the Trap Length
08:42Binary Throw Attempt
08:44Right-Handed Advantage
08:54Winning the Throw
08:57Tennis Backhand Influence
09:07Trap Landing Near Feet
09:12Modifying the Trap
09:16Short Stroke Technique
09:21Surprising Result
09:24Barrier Removal
09:34One More Attempt
09:41Result of Final Attempt
09:47User's Performance Assessment
09:53Zip Tie Modification
09:56Muting the Problem
10:00Left-Handed Issue Reiterated
10:06Desire for Tighter Spring
10:11Episode Wrap-up
10:30Zip Tie Applied
10:32Second Attempt with Zip Tie
10:48Best Throw Yet
10:53Design vs. Build Quality
11:08Back Pain from Throw
11:11May's Turn
11:14Best Throw Claim
11:19Framing for Camera
11:23May's Terrible Throw
11:27Potential of the Trap
11:34Comparison to Other Melon Traps
11:36Slackness and Left-Handedness
11:38Spring Not Cutting It
11:43Fair Shake Assessment
11:45Current State: Garbage
11:49Build Quality vs. Performance
11:52Tighter Spring and Left-Handed User
11:56Handle Origin
12:01Hand-Turned Handle
12:03Uneven Handle
12:07Work Put Into Handle
12:09Melon Didn't Make It
12:11Right-Handed Creators
12:13Workmanship of the Trap
12:15Difficulty of Left-Handed Traps
12:18Ambidextrous Availability
12:23Rubber Stopper's Role
12:29Resistance Helps
12:35Spring Tension Conclusion
12:39Future Right-Handed Trap
12:45Fun Experiment
12:47Cool Find
12:49Killing Time
12:53DIY Trap Building Question
12:55Lack of Craftsmanship
13:01Tabletop Gaming Analogy
13:03Miniature Painting Critique
13:09Annoyance with Basic Painting
13:10Miniature Scale
13:12Insignias and Eyes
13:20Green Army Men Analogy
13:22Viewer Reactions
13:25Flames of War Game
13:30Warhammer Miniature Painting
13:34Bone Color Spray Paint
13:44Friendship Dynamics
13:50Best Friends
13:52Along for the Ride
13:55Texting Habits
13:58Cheapness
14:02Group Texting
14:06Discord Conversations
14:09Axis of the Show
14:14Center of the Universe
14:16Common Denominator
14:23Sharpness of the Trap
14:27Wasting Time
14:31Design Availability
14:33Google Books Search
14:371934 Popular Science Link
14:43Public Domain Status
14:47Popular Science Archive Access
14:52Article Date Confirmation
14:58Popular Science Website Access
15:10Referencing the Article
15:13Dimension Discrepancies
15:17Try It Yourself
15:19Support on Patreon
15:21Kevin's Return
15:25Core Viewers
15:27YouTube Algorithm Issues
15:38Subscriber Loss
15:43Check Subscription Status
15:46Unsubscribe Bot
15:49Moderator Unsubscribe
15:53Bot Explanation
15:58Bot Confirmation
16:00Subscribe and Support
16:04Subscribe Star Patreon
16:06Patreon Content
16:10Podcasts on Patreon
16:12Patron Podcast Frequency
16:15Podcast Quality
16:18May's Podcast Experience
16:21Heat Packet Incident
16:24Overfilling Heat Packet
16:30Instructions on Packet
16:32Hot Smoke Incident
16:37Dining Room Scene
16:41Shoving Plastic Bag
16:45Breathing Smoke
16:47Smoke Inhalation
16:51Face in Smoke
16:54Patron Benefits
16:58Dollar Buy-in
17:01Episode Cost
17:04Early Access
17:06Patron Thanks
17:11Dollar Problem Advice
17:13Buy-in Price
17:17Dollar Problems
17:20Spare a Dollar
17:23Buy-in
17:25Have a Good One
17:42Hat Offer
17:45Kangaroo Nut Sack Hat
17:51Hat Smell
17:53Left-Handed Throwing Excitement
17:59Throwing from Left-Handed Position
18:03Good Point
18:06Melon Throw
18:08Problem with Left-Handedness
18:12How to Throw Left-Handed
18:15Why Throw Left-Handed
18:19Is it Left-Handed?
18:21Rubber Stopper Trick
18:25Paranoia and Sleep Deprivation
18:29Elementary School Analogy
18:35Which One Did You Eat?
18:36Veggie Burger Incident
18:40McRib Taste Comparison
18:47McRib Veggie Burger
18:51Barbecue Sauce
18:53Pork McRib
19:04David Listening
19:06Chuckling in Car
19:09Military Background
19:10Eating for Real
19:12Fat Piece of Crap
19:14Chewing Gum Incident
19:17Laxative Warning
19:23Encouraging Bad Habits
19:26Doesn't Come Through
19:28Sorry
19:30Subtitles for David
19:34Spanish Subtitles
19:43Japanese Sounding
19:45No Language Sound
19:47English Accents
19:51Dutch Accent Comparison
20:01English Sound to Others
20:06Roman Empire Vestiges
20:08Dutch Interaction
20:10French Interaction
20:12Island History
20:15Wandering the World
20:17Writing Home
20:19No Recording Devices
20:20English Pronunciation Issues
20:22Terrible Pronunciation
20:24Getting Back Home
20:25What's a Takeo

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Melon Hand Trap?

A Melon Hand Trap is a DIY clay target thrower based on a design from a 1934 Popular Science article. While the original intended materials were press board or light wood, this example is made of metal and is left-handed, presenting unique challenges for use and replication.

What were the main problems encountered with the homemade Melon Hand Trap?

The primary issues were insufficient spring tension, leading to weak launches, and the trap being left-handed, which was awkward for the right-handed presenters. The wear on the rubber bottle stopper also contributed to inconsistent performance.

Where can I find instructions to build a Melon Hand Trap?

Instructions for building a Melon Hand Trap can be found in a 1934 Popular Science article. This article is likely in the public domain and accessible through online archives like Google Books or the Popular Science website.

What materials were originally suggested for the Melon Hand Trap?

The 1934 Popular Science article originally suggested using press board or a light wood, such as crate wood, for constructing the Melon Hand Trap. The metal version in the video represents a deviation from these original material recommendations.

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It's a Trap! 024: Mellen Hand Trap

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Quick Summary

Chapters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Melon Hand Trap?

What were the main problems encountered with the homemade Melon Hand Trap?

Where can I find instructions to build a Melon Hand Trap?

What materials were originally suggested for the Melon Hand Trap?

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