How To Build A Wind Turbine

The search for alternative energy sources is encouraging a lot of people to build a wind turbine. This following model will show the basic principles involved in its creation.

Required Tools and Materials

A box of straws
Scissors
A box of thumb tacks
Card stock (about the size of a quarter)
3 in sq cardboard
Glue
Eraser

Prepare the Straws

The straws need to be as firm as possible. The large ones generate more wind but they bend too much. The smaller ones produce less wind but they’re steadier. When you’ve chosen the straws, get the scissors. Slice a couple of 4 in straw tubing. Cut the sides so
you’ll end up with four half tubes.

Put the tubes atop one another. To build a wind turbine, the straws
must be of the same size. Slice the straws until the slope is set inwards. Start the cut around a third of the way (this would be from the side). Keep cutting until you get to the far edges of the straws.

Setting up the Blades

Put the larger part in the tube that you sliced. This would be the blade. Make sure the blades are overlapping near the bottom part. Glue the pieces in this position. Allow the glue time to dry. This will vary depending on the products.

Create the Base

Take a straw and cut it. Cut and shape the straw until you get something like a flower shape with four pieces. Spread the pieces like a flower. Take the cardboard and put glue on it. Set the straw on it. When you build a wind turbine, make sure the shaft projects out.

Get the eraser. If it’s on the pencil, take it out. Insert the eraser on the straw. Stick the eraser to the blade wheel with the thumb tacks. Blow into the straws or wait for the wind to blow. It will now start to turn.

Tips

You can put a card stock in the midst of the straw and the blade wheel. This feature will keep the blades from hitting the base. Without the card stock, the blades won’t be able to rotate properly. A card stock quarter size is most ideal.

However you can use bigger or smaller ones, depending on the size of your turbine. After you build a wind turbine, remove any excess glue. If it’s left there, it might harden and interfere with the rotating blade. Wipe the excess glue immediately. Some of these substances dry up very quickly, making it hard to remove later on.

Warnings

Exercise caution when using the scissors and thumb tacks. Keep the thumb tacks in a box. Take out only those you’re going to use. When you’re finished, sweep the floor or clean the table thoroughly.

Make sure no thumb tacks are left behind. If children are going to work on this project, make sure there is an adult to supervise them. Do not let very small children near the scissors or the thumb tacks.

This tutorial on how to build a wind turbine will demonstrate to you the power inherent in this energy source. Although it’s simple to create, the underlying principles are the same as the larger ones.