How to Make a Windmill Model Work

A model windmill can be placed indoors or outdoors.

Windmills are machines powered by the force of the wind in the Earth's atmosphere. Each windmill is equipped with sheets of wood or sails that are turned by the wind that turns equipment attached to a shaft running from the windmill. The first windmills built in the American colonies were made at Jamestown, Virginia in 1621 and were used to provide power for pumping water and grinding grain and other materials. In the 21st century windmills are also used to create electricity.

Things You'll Need

• Plywood 0.15-inch thick
• Wood 3/5-inch thick
• Table saw
• Hand saw
• Electric drill
• 3/5-inch drill bit
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Tape measure
• Saw
• Vice
• Broom pole
• Stain
• Brush
• Sandpaper
• Screwdriver
• Wood glue
• Nails
• Screws

Instructions

1. Draw the outline of eight sails on a piece of plywood measuring 2 inches by 12 inches. Cut out the sails on a table saw. Apply a coat of varnish to the sails using a brush to provide protection if placed outside.

2. Cut a circular piece of wood using a saw measuring 6 inches in diameter from wood 3/5 inches thick. Draw a straight line using a pencil and ruler through the center of the circular piece of wood and continue to divide the wood into eight equal sections. Drill a hole through the center of the circular piece of wood using a 4-millimeter drill bit.

3. Turn over the circular piece of wood and divide this side into eight sections 3/5 inch to the right of the lines on the first side. On the edge of the circular piece of wood, join the lines 3/5 of an inch apart with a pencil line. Add a second line 1/5 inch to the right of each line on the edge of the circular piece of wood.

4. Cut through the connecting lines with a saw cutting 1 inch into the edge of the circular piece of wood and the lines 1/5 inch to the right. Remove the small piece of wood remaining between the two saw cuts. Brush wood glue onto each sail and insert the sails into each slot.

5. Draw the outline of a windmill tail 6 inches square on a plywood board and cut it out with a saw. Cut through a broom handle with a saw about 16 inches in length and affix the windmill tail with nails or screws. Attach a long, thin screw with two washers through the central hole of the circular piece of wood screwed into the center of the broom pole at the opposite end to the tail.

6. Use the 4-millimeter drill bit to make a hole through the broom pole. Insert a screw and tighten into the remainder of the broom pole to create a stand for the windmill.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not over-tighten the central screw; doing so will inhibit the windmill’s sails from turning.

References

• Michigan Department of Natural Resources: Make a Model of a Windmill
• The Creative Science Center: How to make your own Windmill