How to Make a Wheel and Axle Simple Machine
This machine can be built with things that are either free or lying around the house. A simple wheel and axle machine allows the study of torque and shows how the difference between the size of the axle and the size of the wheel affect each other. This machine is suitable for school projects but requires adult assistance to build.
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Things You'll Need
- Cardboard box (about the size of a saltine cracker box)
- Sharpie
- Scissors
- Wire coat hanger
- Pliers
- Wire cutter
- Oral syringe (available for free by asking a pharmacist)
- CD or DVD disk
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Rock and pencil erasers (see warnings section)
Instructions
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1
Glue the end of the cracker box shut by squirting the glue under the flaps at the end. Press the flaps flat and beware of any hot glue that might ooze out. Glue the end flat so the box does not tip over when it is placed on end. Allow the glue to cool.
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2
Measure the radius of the CD or DVD disk and add 1/2-inch. Mark the box this distance from the glued end all the way around using a Sharpie. Cut this line.
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3
With pliers, straighten the coat hanger. Measure a section 2 inches wider than the cracker box and, with the wire cutter, cut the coat hanger. This will serve as the axle.
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4
Pull out the shaft of the oral syringe that has the rubber tip on it. Peel off the rubber tip and insert the end of the coat hanger through it by holding the rubber tip on a piece of wood and twisting the sharp end of the coat hanger until it goes through.
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5
Drill two holes on through the cracker box on opposite sides, a quarter inch from the open end of the box. Make sure that when you insert the coat hanger axle through the holes that they are centered from the top with the open end of the box that faces up.
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6
Slip the rubber tip, while still on the coat hanger, into the hole in the center of the disk (CD or DVD). If it does not fit snugly, add glue.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Cut and remove one side of the box that is parallel to the machine for access to the axle. Use dabs of glue on the either side of the axle where it enters and exits the box so that the axle is less likely to slip out, but make sure that glue does not touch the cardboard until after it dries. Add glue to reinforce the cardboard so that it can handle more of a load.
Adults only should use the hot glue gun and glue, the wire cutter and rock file. Use goggles at all times and glue pencil erasers over the sharp ends of the coat hanger to help to prevent injury. Keep the ends of the coat hanger away from your eyes.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo courtesy of macshack at morguefile.com.
