Make an indoor/outdoor boomerang

This originally designed to be indoor, but will work outdoors.
Make an indoor/outdoor boomerang that actually comes back.
I recently bought a three winged boomerang, it is the only boomerang that I have boughten that actually comes back. When I showed it to my friends they all wanted one, but there isn't any stores around here that sell them. I decided to make them copies that work.
If you have all the parts this can be a great day project for all ages.
This boomerang is safe to use in the house because it is made of styrofoam. The final boomerang will weigh only 0.3 ounces (six grams).
This boomerang will only go out about eight to ten feet and come back.
Use this in a large room with no air movement.

If you use this outside make sure there is very little wind. I like to use mine outside best.

You will have to move about a step or two to catch. As the video will show.
This will not come back 100% of the time.

Step 1: Materials

The materials are very simple, and there isn't much to get.
All that you need to get is:
1-) 1 roll of aluminum duct tape (weight), normal duct tape will work, but still has to reach desired weight.
2-) 1 sheet of blue, Georgia Pacific, fan-fold (body of the boomerang)
3-) the pattern (in the pictures)
4-) utility knife
5-) scale (for weighing)
Both of the materials can be bought at Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, or any other hardware store.



The pattern is below, not quite sure how you are going to be able to print it out. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

Comments

[witchiwotti]

I remember these!
check out the original @ http://adland.tv/commercials/nerf-boomerang-early-1980s-classic-030-usa

[younce]

it is very amazing jus with a few steps can create a safety toys for kids

[EncasedDeath]

 yeah i wanted to make something fun to fly inside that is safe.

[cantrell8]

A good way to make a boomerang is to use  2 paint stirrers ,whitle doun the egees & hot glu them together

[EncasedDeath]

 i saw a boomerang similar to that earlier on this site, but thanks i might make one later

[thepelton]

I have a laser engraver.  I think I may use 1/16 inch plywood instead of the meat tray, but I may have to wait a couple of days because of my work before I can fly it.

[EncasedDeath]

i think plywood is too heavy. if you are making it out of plywood because you can find the parts foam board will probably work or try this www.instructables.com/community/Indooroutdoor-boomerang-kit/
this isnt to make money its to help

[EncasedDeath]

i wonder if it will fly, im curious. let me know how it goes and if it works ill probably make one myself

[dukich5536]

Well, this might be a stupid question, why it's suppose to be 6g? Just curious.

[EncasedDeath]

it works best when it is around 6g, but thanks for asking

[thepelton]

Could you use some of that foam plastic from a supermarket meat tray?

[EncasedDeath]

yes it should work as long as the wieghting is correct, tell me how it goes.

[Re-design]

I've got some foam that has aluminum on both sides. My 7 year old nephew is coming over next week end and I think we'll make a few of these and see how they work. Thanks for the fun inst.

[EncasedDeath]

how did it go?

[Re-design]

It's been raining so we're putting it off until better weather.  We did inside stuff this weekend.

[EncasedDeath]

www.ss42.com/pt/paperang/boomerang-pattern.html ok cool then try this, its very cool. i made one out of a cereal box today and it works great.

[EncasedDeath]

no prob, thanks for telling me your making it nobody else is

[Mr. Thrak]

 You could consider using a foam cutter (heated wire) or heat your knife over a candle to make it cut easier. The lines will be much smoother; it's like cutting through butter.

[EncasedDeath]

i dont have any problem cutting it but ok thanks.

[zack247]

im bookmarking this so i can make it when i have the time

[EncasedDeath]

oh sweet thanks!!!!

[kevinhannan]

What a brilliant 'ible! Well documented, too! I'll be having a go at this with one of my unfortunate urchins! Thanks.

[EncasedDeath]

thank you very much! Urchins?

[Re-design]

Children dependants.

[Re-design]

How thick is your foam and do you shape the edges like an airplane wing or just leave it square?

[EncasedDeath]

it is 1/4 inch thick, just found enough time to measure it.

[EncasedDeath]

leave it square

[EncasedDeath]

idk how thick, im not home so ill measure when i get home

[scoobbrandon]

could i make it from a foam plate

[EncasedDeath]

stack it up to make it quarter inch it may work

[EncasedDeath]

yes if it is weighted correctly. but you will have to shrink the pattern when you print it

[scoobbrandon]

Ok I'm goin to make one soon

[EncasedDeath]

did it work? im thinking about making one for a pocket sized one.

[EncasedDeath]

sweet tell me how it goes, my dads been trying to get me to make one out of a syrofoam plate but i havent had time. thanks for telling me your going to make it

[ampeyro]

maybe if you put weight only in the end of the fans it accumulates more kinetic energy with the same weight, what could mean more fly time

[EncasedDeath]

try it. i will try it too. if u do it and find out before i let u know, then tell me.

[ampeyro]

I finally tested it, with a common 3 winged boomerang(from a 8-pack of cola cans) without anything added it flies normally, with 3 10 cent coins(euros, not dollars) on the center it just falls in a parabolic trajectory, with a coin in each wing it flies further but don't return (3 coins is a lot but I lost the aluminum tape and I didn't want to buy more)

[EncasedDeath]

ok i havent had time to test it yet

[noah1r]

can i use foam core?

[EncasedDeath]

it may be too thick, but give it a try it may work