Physics Questions: When boarding up your house to thwart a zombie attack

[her209]

Is it better to drive the nails in at an angle (45 degrees) perpendicular to the surface, so that its harder for the zombie(s) to push off the boards since only 1/2 of their force is being applied? If 45 degrees isn't the optimal angle, what is?

 

[lxskllr]

Drive the nails straight, then deaden them(bend the pointy end down); Dead as a door nail ;^)

 

[bobsmith1492]

Use screws!

 

[TridenT]

Don't board up your house, that's the #1 rule.

I wouldn't board up my house. I'd just go full auto on the zombie horde. :awe:

 

[her209]

Drive the nails straight, then deaden them(bend the pointy end down); Dead as a door nail ;^)

But you have to the other side , i.e. outside, to do that.

 

[lxskllr]

But you have to the other side , i.e. outside, to do that.

Hmm... True enough. I guess we're assuming you only have access to plywood and nails, right? I would think 2 nails at each nail point, angled in opposite directions up and down would be best. That would help prevent leverage exploits when they try to peel the wood back.

 

[MoPHo]

Take out your stair case, bunk out on the second floor. Make sure you have a bathroom upstairs and as soon as the attack happens, turn the bathtub on and fill that bitch. Don't know when it's going to cut out.

Don't need to worry about zombies breaking in when you're on the second floor and they can't pull themselves up.

 

[TridenT]

Take out your stair case, bunk out on the second floor. Make sure you have a bathroom upstairs and as soon as the attack happens, turn the bathtub on and fill that bitch. Don't know when it's going to cut out.

Don't need to worry about zombies breaking in when you're on the second floor and they can't pull themselves up.

I had that idea, but that's impractical if a zombie horde comes when you're downstairs and then trying to get up the rope. It's a flawed idea unless you have something really fast to get up there like a trampoline that you can pull up fast.

 

[MoPHo]

I had that idea, but that's impractical if a zombie horde comes when you're downstairs and then trying to get up the rope. It's a flawed idea unless you have something really fast to get up there like a trampoline that you can pull up fast.

You only go downstairs when you're planning on vacating the premises. Pick up the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. And I'll see you in post-apocalyptia :awe:

 

[The Boston Dangler]

are we talking about slow zombies or fast zombies? maybe a mix, right?

 

[BeauJangles]

Don't board up your house, that's the #1 rule.

I wouldn't board up my house. I'd just go full auto on the zombie horde. :awe:

Full-auto with what? Your self-pity and low self-esteem?

 

[SagaLore]

Use screws, and do it from the outside. They always seem to "push" their way through the weakest points... You can also staple fencing on the inside, so glass and broken boards are better retained, giving more resistance.

Your best bet is to secure yourself in the basement, assuming you have an alternative exit if they start to break in. Bury the basement windows in dirt and lay barbwire/razorwire along the perimeter. Anything to help tangle them up if they try to break in is in your favor.

 

[T9D]

...

 

[shortylickens]

I always thought it better to keep lots of that big, wavy sheet metal around.
Weld it or use huge bolts to attach to the house. And for god sakes, make sure the moat is ready. That will slow down way more zombies than any wall.

 

[Soccerman06]

Bunker yourself into a mall... that always seems to work well.

 

[Zebo]

 

[Red Squirrel]

Energize the fascia board of your house with very high voltage, and bury some linked rebar in the ground and energize it with the opposite pole. You want a few hundred million volts. When they pass by it will arc and kill them.

You may need to upgrade your service to uhh, like ONE MILLION amps! *pinky finger at edge of mouth*

Instead of plywood use plates of 1/4 inch steel and lag bolts, maybe energize those with a different phase.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I always leave a pickup truck on empty in my front yard. It is good at attracting fresh brains for the zombies to prey on which gives me more time to solidify my position.

 

[ebaycj]

Don't board up your house, that's the #1 rule.

I wouldn't board up my house. I'd just go full auto on the zombie horde. :awe:

Based on your other "waaaaah" thread, I'm surprised you don't just turn the gun on yourself.

 

[StageLeft]

If nailing from the outside, you're right you want an angle, it will greatly improve the tensile holding of the nail. Screws are the best in this arena, though.

Problem with basement is you cannot get out. What is there is a fire or something?

 

[El Guaraguao]

Boards aint got shit on a charger.

 

[zerocool84]

If nailing from the outside, you're right you want an angle, it will greatly improve the tensile holding of the nail. Screws are the best in this arena, though.

Problem with basement is you cannot get out. What is there is a fire or something?

Yea the basement is one of the worst places you can be. You're stuck there if they surround you.

 

[totalnoob]

I like some of the serious answers early in this thread. Very useful. Thanks

 

[darkswordsman17]

Save the nails and hammering for the zombie's heads. Create a serious choke point where you can easily sit there and slaughter them. You want to conserve energy. If you do it right you can rid the immediate area of zombies, allowing you a temporary safe zone so you can plan what to do next. And of course always have a zombie-proof escape route. You do not want to box yourself in, you'll just starve and get surrounded, leaving you a slow painful death while you go insane.

 

[0roo0roo]

its best to drill pilot holes. nails grip better as it doesn't split the wood to make the hole, and as the wood dries it contracts all around the nail