How to Make a Waterwheel for a Science Project
- 1). Cut 2 circles of identical size out of wood. They should be ½ inch thick and 1 foot in diameter. These will form the outer sides of your waterwheel.
- 2). Cut a round 1-inch hole in the exact center of each wheel. This is where the axle will go. Be sure to center this cut exactly, or else your waterwheel will not rotate properly.
- 3). Cut another circle out of wood. It should be 3 inches thick and 7 inches in diameter. This will form the inner core of your waterwheel.
- 4). Take the smaller circle and cut out the inner 6 inches of diameter, leaving a wooden ring that is 7 inches in diameter on the outside.
- 5). Using a pen and protractor, mark 12 equidistant positions on the outside of the wooden ring, one every 30 degrees.
- 6). Cut 12 blocks of wood with the dimensions 3 inches by 3 inches by ¼ inch. These will form the "buckets" of your waterwheel.
- 7). Treat the wood with a water sealant, if you wish. This will make your waterwheel last longer.
- 8). Glue the 12 blocks to the outside of the wooden ring at the positions you marked, such that the blocks extend the full width of the ring (3 inches) and increase the maximum diameter of the ring to 13 inches. Allow the glue to dry.
- 9). Connect the wooden ring to one of the larger circles, drilling in the screws from the larger wheel side. Be sure to center the ring exactly on the larger circle.
- 10
Screw the other large circle, in the same fashion, onto the other side of the inner ring. This will complete the waterwheel structure. - 11
Insert a 7 ½-inch axle through the center holes in the two large circles. If the fit is too snug, sand down the axle just enough for it to fit through. - 12
Cut 2 small wooden rings with an outer diameter of 2 inches, an inner diameter of 1 inch and a height of ¼ inch. - 13
Fit the small wooden rings onto the axle and screw them to both the axle and the wheel. The axle should now have 1 inch of free space on each end. - 14
Glue 1-inch metal caps to the axle. - 15
Construct two pylons, 2 inches by 2 inches square and 8 inches high. Near the very top of each pylon, cut out a hole in the center that will be large enough to fit one of the metal tubes. - 16
Coat the outside of these tubes with glue and insert them snugly into the pylons. Allow the glue to dry. - 17
Coat the inside and outside of these tubes with axle grease. Attach the pylons to the axle. - 18
Cut a board 18 inches square and 1 inch thick. Secure the pylons to it using screws. This will serve as a pedestal for your waterwheel. - 19
Create a flat water reservoir area large enough to fit the pedestal. It should be at least 4 inches deep. - 20
Try out your waterwheel. Pour water from a large pitcher or hose onto the top of the wheel, slightly off center.
Source...