Coke Can Plane Mobile

I was inspired by the metal folded planes (see above image) and wanted to find a way to replicate that at home without lots of expensive workshop tools.

So this is my interpretation of a folded metal plane mobile.

Please be aware that this has many sharp points so is not suitable above a child's bed.

Essentials

• 3 X Empty coke cans (or other brands are fine)
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Rolling pin
• Chopping board
• Cotton thread
• 2 bamboo skewers or stakes
• A piece of paper
• Craft knife

Optional

• Sandpaper - to remove the labels

1. Cut the paper into a 12cm X 12 cm square
2. Fold the paper into a simple paper plane ( see folding diagram)
3. Flatten out the paper plane and this is your template for the following steps
4. If your paper plane is too big trim the back shorter

CAUTION: THE CANS CAN HAVE SHARP EDGES ONCE THE EDGES ARE CUT

1. Cut around the top of the aluminium can
2. Rinse out the can
3. Cut around the base of the can
4. Cut up the can to turn it into 1 large rectangle
5. It t be possible to flatten it out by rolling the can up (coloured side on the inside), but this step isn't necessary

1. Fold aluminium in half
2. Using the rolling pin, smooth and flatten out the fold
3. Fold down the point to create a wing, similar process a sa paper plane - dont flatten this fold yet
4. Flip over the plane and repeat with the second wing
5. Using the rolling pin, flatten the fold (not too much)
6. Using the edge of a bench or a chopping, gently pry open the wing so it sits like a paper plane wing does
7. Repeat Step 6 for the other wing
8. Repeat for the other 7 planes

Attaching the string

1. Prepare the length of cotton and place next to the plane
2. Place 2 dots of hot glue 1/3rd of the way in from each edge
3. Holding the two ends of the cotton, low the cotton into the glue and leave for the glue to cool
4. Repeat this process for the rest of the planes

Setting the angle

1. Hold both pieces of cotton in one hand
2. Either raise or lower the planes nose and pull until both pieces of cotton are tight
3. tie both lengths of cotton together with a thumb knot (see image)
4. Repeat the process for the other planes - make a mix of level, up and down pointing planes

Leveling the plane

Two methods:

• Trim the wing which is leaning down as this is the heaviest wing.
• If you notice the plane lists/leans to one side, bend the wing down on the side that is tilting down. This moves the center of gravity away from the heavier side, and should allow the plane to become level

For this you will need 2 x 25 - 30 cm lengths of bamboo. These could be skewers or garden stakes

1. If you have 1 piece of bamboo,
2. hold the bamboo in the blades of the scissors
3. twist the skewer while maintaining pressure with the scissors
4. After a 4 to 5 turns of the bamboo, you should be able to snap the bamboo where you just scored it
5. For your two pieces of bamboo
6. In the middle of each piece use a craft knife carefully remove about half the thickness of the bamboo
7. Place a small dot of hot glue and glue the two 'thinned' sections together
8. Hold in place until the glue has cooled

1. Select a plane and tie it on one of the end of the arms of the mobile
2. In the middle of the arm, tie another plane, ensuring that each plane has a different length of cotton holding it in place. This gives a nicer look for the finished product
3. Repeat for the other 3 arms, mixing the lengths of cotton and the angles that the planes are pointed at
4. Using some cotton (or string), tie the string onto the end of each arm of the bamboo cross.
5. Hold the 4 pieces of string together and level the mobile by pushing down any corner which is too high.
6. Carefully tie the 4 strings together using a thumb knot, ensuring they don't change length while you are doing it
7. Trim off the shortest 3 pieces of string, leaving 1 piece to then tie the mobile up with