Building an Ornithopter

This project shows you how to build a small, rubber band -powered ornithopter.

Step 1: Gather Materials

1. 7 inches balsa rod 1/8"x1/4"-Cut into lengths of: 5" motor stick, 1 1/2" front vertical        connector
2. 6 inches balsa rod 1/16"x1/4"-Cut into lengths of: Two 2 3/4" connecting rods
3. 24 inches balsa rod 1/8" square -Cut into lengths of: two 8" wing spars, 5" top wing  attachment member, 1 1/2" back vertical connector, 1/2" crank standoff
4. 14 inches balsa rod 3/32" square -Cut into lengths of: two 7" tail members
5. 10 inches music wire .032" diameter-Cut into lengths of: 3" tail/rear motor attachment    wire, 2 1/2" crank/front motor attachment wire, two 2" wing spar wires
6. Sheet of tissue paper, 18"x18"-Made specifically for modeling, approx. .04 oz/100 sq.
7. Square of 16 lb. paper, 1 1/2"x1 1/2"
8. Heat-shrinkable tubing, 1/16" diameter-three pieces 1/8" long
9. Small beads-Three w/inside diameter just large enough to allow music wire
10. Medium thickness rubber band 12" in circumference
11. Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue
12. Cyanoacrylate drying accelerator
13. Glue stick
14. Needle-nose plyers
15. Utility knife-To cut balsa wood
16. Ruler
17. Scissors
18. Vegetable Oil (optional)

Comments

[sivaram aero]

nice

[Robot Lover]

Wow! great instructable. Great pictures too! Do you know that you are the only other person (except me) to use the accelerator with your super glue? I guess we might be the only two impatient ones on this whole site! :)

[Mudbud]

make that 3 :D ... I am extremely impatient with those things! btw This 'ible is awesome! Great layout and directions.

[mashedpotato13]

I am too, except I use household baking soda/powder.

[dunnos]

5, I just use hot glue, dry in about 15 seconds :)

[pie R []ed]

I can't seem to find any place in my area that uses accelerator, but i love the stuff! I don't think that time is as much a factor compared to the ability to make accurate joints. It is a whole lot easier to position the balsa and spray once than to hold a piece of balsa in place for a minute or two.

[chaoshawk]

can you send me the plans please at [e-mail]

[blueevil]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3wWfKEdvpY here it the video tutoreal :D thanks for the post XD

[kfay]

Thanks, the pics were actually taken with my phone, as I lost my camera recently! I thought they were a bit blurry, but good to know they still work. Yes, the accelerator is completely worth it. I only just discovered it and will be sure to use it from now on!

[Xstroy]

As a child, a master in the school model airplanes.