A wind spinner is really easy to make from soda bottles, and they look great hanging from a branch of a tree in your yard. They easily catch the wind and they can get spinning pretty fast. Make several in different colors and create a mobile of them hanging from one tree. They are a delight to watch!
Step 1: Materials
An empty plastic two-liter pop bottle
Colored electrical tape, or labeling tape
Scissors
Flexible tape measure
Pen or pencil
Exacto knife
Paper clip
Ball bearing swivel (used for fishing, and can be found by the fishing accessories in any discount store)
String for hanging
Colored electrical tape, or labeling tape
Scissors
Flexible tape measure
Pen or pencil
Exacto knife
Paper clip
Ball bearing swivel (used for fishing, and can be found by the fishing accessories in any discount store)
String for hanging
Step 2: Step 1
Begin your pop bottle wind spinner by rinsing it out well, and removing all the labels, as best as you can.
Step 3: Step 2
Run lengths of colored electrical tape around the middle of the pop bottle, as shown. This will also help cover any of the label that still might be stuck on.
Step 4: Step 3
Measure along the top tape strip with a flexible measuring tape. Use a pen or pencil to measure off 3/4 inch sections.
Step 5: Step 4
Using an exacto knife, cut a vertical strip down the length of the pop bottle at each 3/4 inch mark. Begin at the top of the tape strip, or about at the point where the pop bottle is straight and not curved from the top. Extend the cut all the way to about 2 inches above the bottom. You may find it is hard to keep the cut lines straight. Take your time and do the best you can. If some are curved cuts, you will hardly notice in the final result.
Step 6: Step 5
Next, squish down the pop bottle. This will make the strips flare out. When they do, pinch each strip in the middle to create a fold.
Step 7: Step 6
The next step is to angle the strips by making folds at the top and bottom, so the wind can catch them. To do this, begin at the top. Make a 45 degree fold to the right at the very top of each strip.
Step 9: Step 8
You can also add other details to the wind spinner. Here I cut little triangles out of the tape and decorated the top and bottom of the pop bottle.
Step 10: Step 9
Now you are ready to make the top for your pop bottle wind spinner. Make a hole in the top of the pop bottle cap. The easiest way to do this is by heating the end of an untwisted paper clip, then melting quickly through the plastic (be careful, plastic fumes are not good for you). Or, you can use a drill to make the hole. Another method is to pound a nail into the top of the cap to form the hole.
Unfold a paper clip (I used a white paper clip). Thread the wire of the paper clip through the end of the ball bearing swivel. Then, twist the wire together once or twice to form a loop.
Unfold a paper clip (I used a white paper clip). Thread the wire of the paper clip through the end of the ball bearing swivel. Then, twist the wire together once or twice to form a loop.
Step 11: Step 10
Push the wire ends of the paper clip through the top hole of the bottle cap. Fan out the wire ends inside the cap to anchor into place.
Step 12: Step 11
Screw on the pop bottle cap, add a string for hanging, and you are ready to hang your wind spinner!
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Wonder if there is a way to put some random LED lights on the fins so when its spinning at night you can see it? Anyone have any idea?
What a fun and creative way to use old bottles. I made one of your wind spinners, but I made the angles on the fins a bit different to catch more of the wind. My diagram shows your method on the left and mine on the right. I also pinched all the creases with pliers rather than my fingers. I guess that's why it's got a squashed look like a UFO. I have just put a few marks on it with fluro highlighters, but when I get some pretty colored markers like in Crystal Stranger's Plastic Bottle "Stained Glass" Candleholder Instructable I will go for that effect.
There is no wind at the moment, but if the spinner gets pushed around by the wind instead of spinning, I could put a weight in the bottom or put the whole thing on a vertical axle.
Thanks very much for this Instructable. My yard is going to be a prettier place.