Soda Can Windmill
Inspired by an unknown person who made windmills out of used beer cans.
Materials
1. Empty soda can
2. Can opener
3. Plier
4. Wire
5. Scissors
6. Yakult / Vitagen drinking straw
2. Can opener
3. Plier
4. Wire
5. Scissors
6. Yakult / Vitagen drinking straw
Step 1
Cut open the top of the soda can with the can opener.
Step 2
Make a hole at the bottom of the can. Cut a short section of the Yakult straw and insert halfway into the hole to act as a washer. The windmill can spin faster and smoother this way.
Step 3
Using the scissors, cut the can into 8 equal strips as shown in the picture.
Step 4
Fold down each of the strips to make the windmill propeller.
For each fold, bend the strip slightly in the same direction so as to create an angle of attack for the propeller blades relative to the airflow.
The propeller pitch will affect the windmill performance. Generally, fine pitch will work well in low wind condition, while coarse pitch allows the windmill to spin faster when the wind is strong.
For each fold, bend the strip slightly in the same direction so as to create an angle of attack for the propeller blades relative to the airflow.
The propeller pitch will affect the windmill performance. Generally, fine pitch will work well in low wind condition, while coarse pitch allows the windmill to spin faster when the wind is strong.
Step 5
Insert the wire into the straw and bend it to secure the windmill.
Attach the windmill to any stick or stable structure and place it facing into or away from the wind direction.
Attach the windmill to any stick or stable structure and place it facing into or away from the wind direction.