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H'okay, so, this is my first instructable, it's for making cute little gliders that are fun to make and fly. Making gliders out of toothpicks has always seemed so perfectly scaled and fun to me, and I personally just free-hand the entire thing and have no plans or designs, only ideas. Since this may be hard for some, I'll give you instructions on making one of my simplest gliders. It requires a toothpick(or about the same sized piece of wood, balsa etc. Heck, use whatever scale you want), some thickish paper(construction paper generally works, but the thicker it is the stronger, but also heavier. If you have someplace where the plane is unlikely to be damaged, you could use thinner paper, but I, in my crowded dangerous house, use 28 lb white printing paper which is probably heavier then required to survive a bad landing), and super glue(gel or not, I prefer gel just because it doesn't soak in as much), and something to attach to the nose for balance(I use polymer clay, but pieces of toothpick glued on work just as fine). Tools you need are scissors and maaaybe needle nosed pliers for a more advanced models. Also, there are a few I have made, the orange one is closest to the one we'll be making(see last step for more of my creations). Oh yes, and excuse the dirty fingers, they're the result of working with super glue often. Now, lets get started!
If you just want to look at some cool airplanes, see the last step(But building them is easy so I'd suggest that)
*** Thanks too: http://www.centennialofflight.gov/toothpick/build.htm and http://www.flyingflea.org/Toothpick/ToothpickHM8HM14.pdf for lots of inspiration in basic design and structure, but NONE of my models are directly copied from either source ***
If you just want to look at some cool airplanes, see the last step(But building them is easy so I'd suggest that)
*** Thanks too: http://www.centennialofflight.gov/toothpick/build.htm and http://www.flyingflea.org/Toothpick/ToothpickHM8HM14.pdf for lots of inspiration in basic design and structure, but NONE of my models are directly copied from either source ***
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Signing UpStep 1Begining construction
So, to start, select a relatively straight/strong toothpick, shape of the toothpick doesn't really matter, This will be your frame. Now, take your paper, and cut a simple rectangle out of it, then fold the rectangle in half the long way and trim until it's perfect. Unfold until it's a little less than 90 degrees, then glue the crease to the toothpick like the picture shows, about 1/3rd down from the front of your toothpick(front for me is the thicker end, but if you don't have thicker ends any end you pick will work). This angle is the frame that will hold your wings on, so keep it relatively folded.
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http://www.geocities.jp/micropaperplane/index2plan.htm
don't be afraid, it's in chinese...;)
THANKS soooooooooooooooooooo much
And for a walk-along, I'd suggest something a bit bigger. I built a great one that was just a thin foam flying wing, about 8 inches across. Good luck!
pls put another instructable on explaining
What kind of paper do you use? Do you just use printer paper or cardstock?
http://www.instructables.com/id/Fireballs_you_can_Hold_in_Your_Hands/step8/Light-er-Up/
BTW Im making your heli now :D
The heli is tough and really didn't work great for me, I've been meaning to do an instructable on it for quite some time but I haven't gotten the right materials together yet.. I used alot of carbon fiber for the frame.