The Crazy Sugar Wool Flail

Intro:

Everybody likes sugar wool, right? Searching Instructables, and following instructions on this site, I have made a small cotton candy machine, but later I have decided to make something different, this time maybe a little crazy... so result is The Crazy Sugar Wool Flail.

The device is quite simple - aluminum pipe on one end is closed, but has small holes. When melted sugar is poured into it, and some spinning applied, centrifugal force should push liquid sugar trough tiny holes, and after that sugar should harden in wool like form.

The only problem is that, in order that liquid sugar stays liquid, it has to have some source of heat. The solution for this problem is to add a tin can, filled with some charcoal.

Overall, it looks like a flail, so its name comes from it.

The results are... funny. Well, you will not get much sugar wool with this thing, but when you spin it everywhere around you sugar will float in a spider web manner.

Disclaimer

You are responsible for yourself and your actions.

Device uses ignited charcoal, and hot molten sugar.

It should be used in open space only!

You must be careful when swinging this thing, be sure that no one is around you when using this object.

• 1 x empty steel tin can (must be steel)
• 1 x aluminum pipe (with thread on one end) + nut

*note – alternative to aluminum pipe with thread on one end, could be steel pipe with one end welded to part with holes

• Wire – iron or copper, thicker one
• Chain (very short)
• Rope or shoelace
• Hacksaw
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Drill and drill bits for metal ( 2 – 3 mm best)
• Nail
• Wooden staff –

  not actually needed

• Charcoal
• Sugar

Aluminum pipe must to be 5 – 6 cm longer than the tin can we use. Dimensions of the pipe which I used are: diameter - 3.8cm, and 15cm long.

After the pipe is cut, drill two holes on the end side of the pipe (the one without thread)

Next step is to cut circle on the bottom of the tin can, to exact size(or just a little smaller) of aluminum pipe.

First mark circle, and then create few holes with small screwdriver, then remove the circular part and save it for later!

Next, punch dozen of holes on the tin can, I used nail and hammer for that.

Now push aluminum pipe into the tin can, make sure it fits. Use the hammer to flatten part we cut earlier, and punch a few small holes on it.

Next, assemble bottom part of the pipe.

Attach wire and chain to the aluminum pipe.

Band together chain and rope. Rope shouldn’t be too much long.

To look like flail the rope should be attached to the wooden staff, however, because the rope will twist a lot, I recommend to skip this step.

It’s done!

This thing must be used outside only.

Use is simple – clean inside of aluminum pipe, ignite charcoal and fill tin can with it (fill about 2/3 of the tin can).

Next step is to melt some sugar, and pour it into the aluminum pipe.

Start spinning tin can around, ( I recommend not to spin above your head ) and spider like sugar wool will emerge from the bottom of the aluminum pipe.

I put a wire to end of my crazy flail to collect some wool, but with little result. I think I will improve it with some fine metal mesh...

Spin-induced g force will protect you from harm (...may g-force be with you...)

Have fun!