This Old Tornado

Description of how to build a tornado model. This instructable is faster paced as an old model tornado prototype is restored and operated. This design is by no means bomb proof and should only be operated under close supervision.

In this step, plans for the foam insulation and chamber windows are given.

In this step, the base box of the tornado chamber is assembled with duct tape and the foam insulation Panels described in step 1:

The Halogen Light Fixture is attached to the top panel of the tornado chamber with duct tape:

Note the bulb face is flush with the top of the chamber panel. The hole for the clamp of the light fixture is also made flush with the top of the chamber panel by adding another piece of duct tape to the base of the hole.

The humidifier is positioned, filled with water and tested. Note the output of the fan into the nebulizing chamber has its opening restricted so the fog exits the nozzle with a slow laminar flow:

This step describes the assembly of the chamber.

The tornado power is turned on. The flow of the fog has been slowed and gently fills the chamber floor. In the video below, the power is cut to the fan but left on for the light and fog.


Other tricks and effects:

Interacting with the tornado by inserting your hand in one of the air intakes (watch out not to topple the chamber as in this design there is nothing holding the top on):


Interacting by blowing gently in an air intake:
Disturbing the vortex in this way makes the air flow more like what happens with a real tornado. The air is rarely totally still and many of the interesting twists are caused by slight disturbances in the air entering the vortex.