Introduction: Battery Powered Hovercraft

You need a hover craft.

You don't need to be tethered by a cord.

You definitely don't want gas powered.

Let's build a lithium battery powered hovercraft















Step 1: Gather Supplies

You are going to need
Gaffers tape (don't skimp)
Two plywood boards (we went all out , you can use what you have)
PVC pipe foam insulator
Two 120 hp lithium battery powered leaf blowers (1 actually worked, but don't play around)
2 shower curtains (again, 1 might work for a bit... But we are serious)
Staples
A screw
A coffee can lid

Begin by cutting 2 four foot circles out of plywood. We used a router with jig. Using a flat blade we cut our circles perfectly.

Step 2: Use a Router or a Jig Saw

We used a bit of both to get the circles perfect. The better the circle, the better your ride.

Step 3: Stare at Your Circles

Sometimes it's a good idea just to look at it.

Step 4: A Little Tip

We used the router to cut both circles to match. Do you know how to do this? Google it. Or just trace and use a jig saw.

Step 5: Leaf Blower Holes

So, you need holes for the air to blow through. Measure your leaf blower outputs. Cut holes to match. You want a very tight fit.

Step 6: Leaf Blowers

Our black and decker leaf blowers had little clips and bits we chopped off for a better fit.

Step 7: Chop Off the Overage

You want the bottom of your craft to be very flat. No sharp edges.

Step 8: Sand

Sand smooth your discs. No sharp edges or your shower curtain will rip.

Step 9: Shower Curtain

Wrap your doubled up shower curtains over a single disc. Staple the shower curtain flat. Pull it as taught as possible.

Step 10: Cut the Excess Shower Curtain

Cut the excess. Keep it neat. We are also using a hammer to make sure all the staples are down tight.

Step 11: Tape the Edge Down

We used gaffers tape. Duct tape is not adequate. It is not key. Use gaffers tape. It's for the pros. Be a pro.

Step 12: Tape

Keep taping. Don't stop until you smile like this.

Step 13: Flip It

Is it tight? Is it beautiful? Good. If not. Start over. You have failed.

Step 14: Sandwich

Put the discs together. The taped side in the middle, the shower curtain flat on bottom.

Step 15: Coffee Can Lid

Screw a coffee can lid dead center.

Step 16: Staple It

Staple that coffee can lid for extra professional points.

Step 17: Holes

Ok. Now, cut some 1 inch holes around the coffee can lid and reinforce them with gaffers tape. This allows the shower curtain to fill with air and escape out the holes.

Step 18: Tape

The more tape the better. You don't want rips while you are hovering around.

Step 19: PVC Pipe Foam Insulator

Wrap the outside of the disc with the foam tubing. Tape it down. Don't staple. Just use gaffers tape. Don't skimp. Your very life may be at stake.

Step 20: Foam Bumper

This bumper is very important. Make sure it is fully taped.

Step 21: Blower Time!

Install your blowers. We started with gaffers tape and ended up with 5 min epoxy. Keep it tight whatever you do.

Step 22: Mount

We made sweet wooden mounts so we could use the blower handles as good hand holds when hovering.

Step 23: Mounts

Look at those mounts. Just make something up like ours. You are a pro now. You don't need instructions for that!

Step 24: Finished

You are done.

Step 25: Float Time

Get on. Sit down. Install batteries. Hit the switches and hover like there is no tomorrow.

Step 26: You Go Girl

We are ready for maker faire!

http://youtu.be/Y1D1gv70jbk

Workshop Contest

Third Prize in the
Workshop Contest