Legalities of building a Guillotine?
 

So, for my fabrication project, I have decided to (with the blessings of my instructors) to build a full-size, fully functional Guillotine.

Anyone have any idea if I am breaking any laws here? I am in New York if that makes a difference...
Could I be held liable if some whack job (I intend to sell it) uses this on someone else?

When I see the freaky story on CNN, I'll think to myself ''I saw it here first...''

call up the PD and ask them... also, if I were you i'd make it lockable, like, have a locking mechanisim on the blade, so that it will only cut off someone's head if you unlock the thing. if you sell it, then you should probably call up a lawyer and ask about relieveing yourself of all responsibility- probably draw up a form for the next person to sign that says "i will not be a dick, and if i am totally drunk one night and cut off my own nads with this thing, i won't sue ziadel"

good luck on your project :)

Here's a link to a saftey website on metal guillotines that cut sheet metal, I could only imagine the laws would be similar...although you aren't using yours in a workplace.http://www.safetyline.wa.gov.au/Page...cntool0007.htm

Good Luck! I think... :D

I've actually seen one cut a whole bag of carrots before in a castle in England. Wish I could remember which one it was off the top of my head. I don't think that there can be any laws against it really.

When I was in high school (early 80s) in Connecticut, a classmate built one for a history project. Life size barbie (dressed as one of the wives of Henry VIII) bit the dust on it... It was such a proud moment.. :D

It was legal then -- but he also had the thing padlocked -because it was a really sharp blade...

have fun...

I suppose it depends what use you put it to once it's built. I imagine it's going to be large enough that it couldn't be confused as a concealed weapon.

Maybe it can't be easily concealed but carrying that thing through the bad area of town at night may act as a crime deterrent. :p

You might get away with more, if you call it a sculpture… :-)

This strikes me as being a really cool project. Good luck...

Something like this never ends well. I predict someone will lose at least a digit

the plan is to also create a full size michael moore out of paper mache, place the faux michael moore in said guillotine, and sell it at an art gallery or something...

I'll post up some pics when its done :lol:

The michael moore might take longer to make... :rolleyes:

Ok. Enough of that, I just couldn't help it. This really sounds like an awesome project. Make sure you come through with those pics, I'd like to see how it turns out. :thumbsup: