What are the teams aloud to use other than junk? For instance, what types of tools can they use? Are they aloud to weld things together? Can they use gasoline to power there machines?

Of course, like every one else, I have to give a few suggestions for future challanges as well-

Here are a few Ideas-

Which team can build a machine to pump water from one container to another container in the shortest amount of time

Which team can build a machine that can crush with the most pressure - Could crush rocks or cars

Which team can build a "music box" machine that would play a prechoosen song such as "Mary had a little Lamb"- Edisons favorite the longer and more accurate the song the better

Thank you for your time

-- Matthew Belger (MBelger@anchorgames.com), December 01, 2000

Answers

You have never really seen the show have you. Theses machines are BIGGER LOUDER and a bit more dirty. They make fireboats, cannons shooting rugby balls, dragstrip racers, machines to destroy buildings, and even subs. A music box is boring and bring in no rateings.

Something more like wind powered car or catapult would be ideal.

-- Jim Mannix (someone@somewhere.com), December 07, 2000.

Aside from junk and tools, the teams are allowed to use certain items that are planted (and which they might or might not find hidden amongst the junk) or given to them (helium was given in one episode). And I think they can bring their own calculators.

They are also ALLOWED to use good grammar and spelling when making THEIR machines. It is not, however, mandatory.

-- Derek Jensen (djensen@kconline.com), December 11, 2000.