How to Make the Strongest Bridge With Craft Sticks
- 1). Place nine sticks before you; with sharp scissors, break or cut three of them in half. Lay three full sticks, short end to short end, flat side down. Spread a thick layer of glue over the tops of them, using your finger to spread it evenly. This completes the first layer of a beam, with which you will construct the bridge.
- 2). Layering like a cake with the glue as the filling, place one of the broken sticks on top of the first three-stick layer. Stack evenly on all sides with the first stick. Add another full stick right next to this broken stick, bridging the connection of the first layer's sticks. Add another full stick next to that, then one broken half stick. This completes the second layer of the beam.
- 3). Just as with the first layer, use your fingers to spread glue thickly over the top of the second layer. Now you'll start the third layer with a full stick, adding it evenly on top of the second layer, smooth with the sides. Add a half stick next to it, then a full stick, then one more half stick. This completes the third layer of the beam. The beam should have two smooth, flat sides that show only the top and bottom layers and two slightly ridged sides showing the layers. It should be three sticks long and three sticks thick.
- 4). Hold the beam against the ruler and clamp with an elastic band so that the beam dries straight. Create four of these long beams in all.
- 5). Using the same process as for the first beam, choose six sticks, breaking one of them in half. Lay two full sticks flat on your workspace, touching at the short ends. Use your finger to spread a thick layer of glue over this first layer. Add one broken stick on top of one of the full sticks, even at the sides, creating the beginning of a second layer, like a cake. Add a full stick to this second layer, bridging the connecting point of the first layer, and then add one more half stick at the end of the second layer.
- 6). Spread a layer of glue over the second layer with your finger. Add the third layer, composed of two full sticks. Hold the beam against the ruler and clamp it with an elastic band so that the beam dries straight. Create of two of these short beams.
- 7). Choose one short and one long beam. Lay them end to end, flat side down, on your workspace. Pick 12 sticks. Use six of the sticks to create three triangles connected at the top. Glue, then use the other six to create matching triangles on the other side, doubling the strength of the structure. Create one more wall just like this, and hold the sticks together between the heavy books until the glue dries.
- 8). Lay the two remaining long beams on your workspace, flat side down. Arrange 33 craft sticks on top, creating the road. Glue and press between the books until dry.
- 9). Attach the walls to the road at right angles. Glue well and hold in place until dry.
- 10
Choose nine sticks and place them across the top of the structure, connecting the walls in a "Z" shape. Glue well, and let dry. - 11
Add extra glue to any connecting point that looks shaky, like the joints between the road and the walls. Let it dry thoroughly.
Source...