Build your own hovercraft!
- February 9 · 10:30 AM
We will facilitate the building of simple yet effective (and fun) hovercrafts, following the design posted here: http://amasci.com/amateur/hovercft.html
The end result is basically a giant hockey puck that can support a full size adult. We will haul plywood and procure plastic for those that need it. I'm estimating the plastic will be about $5/craft and the plywood will probably be about $20. You will be responsible for providing your own leaf blower, shop vac, or other source of high volume, high velocity air. I've used a Rigid convertible shop vac/leaf blower and it works pretty well. I modified the original design slightly by attaching a piece of 2x4 over the air intake hole so I could permanently mount a short section of adapter pipe that my blower motor can plug into. You may find it convenient to do something similar which would involve finding the appropriate fitting(s).
We will have access to the StudentRND shop area, but I think we should plan on bringing tools that we need. So, if you are building one, please try to bring a portable drill and a portable jigsaw (aka sabre saw) (don't worry if you can't, we can share tools). If anyone has large diameter hole saws they may prove useful as well. We basically will be cutting out 4foot diameter disks, and drilling or sawing holes that the leaf blowers will attach to. Other tools/supplies needed include staple guns (for attaching plastic), duct tape to form air tight seals, screws or bolts to attach the plastic disk and the optional 2x4, and round plastic (a coffee can lid or similar) to act as strain relief for the plastic.
If you want us to bring your plastic and/or plywood, you need to RSVP by February 1st so we have time to buy the materials. Right now Craig is planning on handling that, but if someone with a pickup truck wanted to volunteer to help out we wouldn't complain.
Pay attention to the discussion for this meetup and please indicate what tools you can bring.
REMEMBER: We start all of our meetings with show and tell, so even if you don't want to participate in the build, we encourage you to share anything of interest to makers (past, present, or future projects, cool events, interesting parts or equipment, etc.).
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Brian S.
Here's some video from the meetup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
I had a good time, and got a great hovercraft for my kids to play with.February 9
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Pete
Sorry to cancel at the last minute, but I'm not going to be able to make it. Have fun!
February 9
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Craig Zupke
It is probably not too soon to start getting an idea of how many hovercrafts we will be building, what materials people need, and what tools people can bring. Towards that end, please post a brief reply to this message (If you will be building one). NOTE: I think when you reply to a message the ENTER key will send it rather than go to the next line.
Please respond something like this...
"1 plastic sheet/1 plywood/sabre saw"
This means you want 1 hovercraft worth of plastic sheet, 1 hovercraft worth of plywood, and can bring a sabre saw.
"0 plastic sheet/2 plywood/drill, staple gun"
This means to only need 2 hovercraft worth of plywood, and can bring a drill and a staple gun.
After collecting responses I'll price out everything more exactly and confirm the requested items and projected cost before actually buying stuff.
January 28
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Allen Smith
This sounds challenging! I probably won't try to build my own, but I would enjoy helping others to assemble their craft.
February 8
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Craig Zupke
Unless I hear from someone who is actually planning to build a hovercraft on the meetup day, I will probably just demonstrate the assembly of one, but not the machining of the wood. That way I can just reuse the one I have rather than end up with an extra.
February 6
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Matt Kramer
I have enough things without adding a hovercraft to the mix but I do have a good jig saw, drill, and hand tools and would like to help someone complete a hover craft. I was also hoping to bring my son but I wanted to check in to make sure that was ok.
thanks,
Matt
February 4
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Craig Zupke
Children are welcome. Thanks for being willing to bring tools and help. Don't hesitate to bring something for Show and Tell.
February 5
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12 attended
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Brian S. +1
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