• We have updated to the newest version of the forum. Please let us know if you see any issues. And, yes, we know the shoutbox is gone. We'll see about getting it back if they make a newer version.

General interest- Goodwill wars!

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
So this idea was brought up on the GRM forums, and I figure it would be a cool idea to bring here. The basic idea is you're given a task (shoot a pingpong ball x-distance, or an auto frisbee thrower, whatever) and given a store and a small budget with which to make it happen. Cheating with home parts is not allowed. This would be in teams, so everyones investment would be minimal. I am thinking teams of 3, since that would at least give the other teams a chance at someone with some mechanical skills (Pretty much no one else would ever win if it was say me colin dan and Jay) start in the morning, you have 8 hours and basic tools to make it happen, and then the competition commences!

so far we have-
Nate in as a player
Jay as a player
Colin as a player
Dan in as a player
Tom in as a player
Erik as a player
Picklz in as a player
James in as Judge Judy and executioner.
Pete as challenge creator and deputy with the fire extinguisher.

RULES V0.5 BETA

DISCLAIMER- mndsmCorp in conjunction with This Has Got to Be a Bad Idea INC. does not assume any responsibility for any injuries sustained in relation to this event. We will not warranty any machines from this event, nor is any additional coverage for oneself or ones property provided. Please note that if you do participate, you do so a your own risk. You probably will be injured. Your mother will have claims made about her loose attitude towards satisfying the opposite sex. Possibly the same sex. Possibly at the same time. In other words, bring a thick skin.

#1= TEAMS- Teams will consist of an equal number of players whenever possible. Most likely there will be two teams of roughly (3) members each. This is subject to player availability, as well as time of event. In the occurance that even teams cannot be made, every effort will be made to level the playing field. We don't want no cheaters. Teams will initially be allowed to choose themselves. If there is too much fighting over team stacking, names will come out of a hat.

#2-PHONES- Cell phones will be allowed for communication with other team members at the event on an as needed basis. However, for those of you with the fancy smartphones, they are not to be used in lieu of a laptop and to look up building instructions online. Doing so will likely forfeit your teams the points they could earn for the event, and will likely get everyone to call you an asshole. You probably will not be invited back.

#3-SHOPPING- Store locations will be provided the day of the event, at random. There will be no picking preferrential stores in order to scout them beforehand. Again, every effort will be made to ensure each team has equal opportunity. We won't screw you and stick you with a little shoebox and let the other team have the worlds largest Goodwill. Money will be limited to what can be spent at a given store. Reciepts or a really damn good explanation will be requested at judges discretion.

#4-HARDWARE- Screws/bolts/etc are to be allowed for the fastening of structural components ONLY. They are not to be used as integral parts of the machinery, as in you cannot use lag bolts as the upright on a slingshot, UNLESS they were purchased at said thrift store. Allowances for hardware to be made at judges discretion.

#5-TOOLS-Each team will have the opportunity to use an equal tool set. No team will be given specific advantage by being allowed to use tools that the other team does not have access to. In other words, unless the other team has a welder, don't plan on using yours.

#6-PRIZES-Prizes TBA.

#7-SCORING- Scoring will be based on a 100pt sliding scale. So if the teams are tasked with shooting a tennis ball for distance, and Team A shoots 100 feet, and Team B shoots 95 feet, Team A will be given 100% of the allowable points, or 100 points for winning the event. Team B will be given 95% of the points for scoring 95% of the leading teams score, or in this case, 95 points. Additional points may be alloted by the judges for style, creativity, execution, and adherance to the budget set forth in the shopping trip. Possible season totals to be allowed depending on interest.


I can provide spray paint for decoration. Depending on the challenge and relative availability of said items, they may be provided to the teams prior to the event. (For example- latex tubing for some sort of propulsion.)

One thing we DO have to worry about is possible lawsuits. Methinks that unless we can do this on private properly, combustibles for propulsion would have to be banned. OR all we'd see is my siphoning 92 out of my car to shoot that bowling ball that much further.
 
Last edited:

Big Nate

Chaos Engineer
I can see this being fun. I am in for sure. But we need to refine the rules and post them, allow people to join then we randomly choose teams the day of the event. that is all LOL
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Yeah, or doing team captains (the mods) and picking like dodgeball style. Or, pull three names, they become captains. Then they start pulling names, then there's your team. We'd have to do it as fair a possible and not stack teams with people that are into franken tech.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Early rules would be- each team gets one thrift store. Goodwill/Savers/Salvation armyValue Village/Unique. small budget for fasteners at Home depot-Lowes.... I'd almost want to Ban AxMan because that would pretty much be cheating. Pawn shops would be free game to anyone. Find what you need, spend maybe 5$ on fasterners, and go. We' have to limit the use of power tools to the ones we know everyone has. wouldn't be fair for me to say be on Dans team working with demels, and then have Eriks team bust out with the air grinders, you know? We'd also need a fairly large garage with this to happen in......
 

Big Nate

Chaos Engineer
I'd watch, but there is no way I would be at all useful to anyone.
BS James what if we had to decorate a room with out touching the floor? You would know how to do that right?????



This is going to be like sex no one just watches they always join in.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
James.... we need a scorekeeper/judge, to keep track of win/loss, most completion, fastest time, spirit of the event, etc. You're the man for that job.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
So this idea was brought up on the GRM forums, and I figure it would be a cool idea to bring here. The basic idea is you're given a task (shoot a pingpong ball x-distance, or an auto frisbee thrower, whatever) and given a store and a small budget with which to make it happen. Cheating with home parts is not allowed. This would be in teams, so everyones investment would be minimal. I am thinking teams of 3, since that would at least give the other teams a chance at someone with some mechanical skills (Pretty much no one else would ever win if it was say me colin dan and Jay) start in the morning, you have 8 hours and basic tools to make it happen, and then the competition commences!

so far we have-
Nate in as a player
Dan in as a player
Tom in as a player
Picklz in as a player
James in as Judge Judy and executioner.

Early rules would be- each team gets one thrift store. Goodwill/Savers/Salvation armyValue Village/Unique. small budget for fasteners at Home depot-Lowes.... I'd almost want to Ban AxMan because that would pretty much be cheating. Pawn shops would be free game to anyone. Find what you need, spend maybe 5$ on fasterners, and go. We' have to limit the use of power tools to the ones we know everyone has. wouldn't be fair for me to say be on Dans team working with demels, and then have Eriks team bust out with the air grinders, you know? We'd also need a fairly large garage with this to happen in......

There's a basic rundown of how I see the rules. The one trick would be everyone would have to meet in a central point relatively equidistant from all the stores alloted, and meet back there to fabricate/race. I think a big park somewhere in the south metro would be ideal, as there are far more goodwill/salvation army stores in that area. Cap on money would probably be 50$ at any of those stores, and an addtl 10$ at Home Depot/Menards/Lowes for sundry items. I can supply a somewhat prodidgious selection of spraypaint for decoration. Everyone is allowed a can of wd40, and pretty much an equal box of tools... cordless drill, screwdrivers, vice grips. etc. Anything else?
Another rule that could be interesting- winner gets pick of one of the loser machines to use parts from for future contests. Everyone else gets to keep their machine (Winner gets two in other words) and we all start over with the same budget for the next event. Another 60$, anothe 8 hour race. Season champ gets a beer on the house from the losers?
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
We need one more for sure to be able to do two teams of 3, I'd like to be able to do three teams..... Where the hell is Erik? He'd do this.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Another thing to consider.... how about intermittent competitions to see who gets say- a bonus 10$ to the goodwill? Or perhaps a 5 min run inside axe man? More ways to make sure you diversify your teams....... I like where this is going, but I'd love to have more to put into it.
 

derrian

Pika-Zoom!
Staff member
Erik sounds in for it :)

I have a camera if you guys want to do a video like that HorsePower show did with the two colleges in a competition to get the most horsey power :)

I'll let boys be boys otherwise :)
 

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
I'd love to see this happen! I'm envisioning this as a real-life version of "Contraption?" Total WIN. I'm never free enough to attend a bunch of meets though, so I'll relegate myself to observing unless an extra person is needed from time to time.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
I'd love to see this happen! I'm envisioning this as a real-life version of "Contraption?" Total WIN. I'm never free enough to attend a bunch of meets though, so I'll relegate myself to observing unless an extra person is needed from time to time.
We will need an impartial jury to help write the challenges... and since you won't able to participate regularly, maybe you and James can collaborate on what the challenges could be.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Another idea I had, because I REALLY want this to work.... what if teams each pitched in 60$, we ran to axe man, gave them an amalgamation of items, and had the build it to a task, or even built them to fight each other! The bins would be sealed rubbermaids, and you don't get to see whats inside til it's your bin. No tradsies though.
 
Top