This instructable will show you how to make a nifty flying model known as an ornithopter from cheap to free stuff.
An ornithopter is a lot like a model airplane, but it flaps its wings like a bird or an insect, and is a lovely sight to watch in flight.
This is pretty easy to build; you really only have to make sure the bearings are all parallel. Everything else can be crooked and this will STILL fly just fine. It is also VERY sturdy and can take many, many crashes without breaking. As an added bonus (and due to my personal tightwaddery) it is CHEAP. You can make this ornithopter out of household items. Mine cost about $1.30 to make.
If you appreciate this instructible, please visit my blog for more ideas:
GoodCleanCrazy
Supplies:
Bamboo Place Mat -- $1 at the local dollar store. We bought one too many for our table.
Gel Super Glue -- $1 for a 3 pack at the dollar store. Found it in a cupboard.
Plastic Grocery Bag -- Usually use them for tying up stinky diapers.
Coffee Filters -- Free from work (I don't drink coffee). And, no, I didn't steal them.
Paper Clips
Rubber Bands
Bic Pen
White School Glue
Clear Tape -- All free stuff I found lying around
Optional:
CA accelerator -- $4 at the local hobby store. Sets super glue almost instantly.
Tools:
Sharp Blade
Diagonal Cutters
Scissors
Needlenosed pliers
Regular Pliers
An ornithopter is a lot like a model airplane, but it flaps its wings like a bird or an insect, and is a lovely sight to watch in flight.
This is pretty easy to build; you really only have to make sure the bearings are all parallel. Everything else can be crooked and this will STILL fly just fine. It is also VERY sturdy and can take many, many crashes without breaking. As an added bonus (and due to my personal tightwaddery) it is CHEAP. You can make this ornithopter out of household items. Mine cost about $1.30 to make.
If you appreciate this instructible, please visit my blog for more ideas:
GoodCleanCrazy
Supplies:
Bamboo Place Mat -- $1 at the local dollar store. We bought one too many for our table.
Gel Super Glue -- $1 for a 3 pack at the dollar store. Found it in a cupboard.
Plastic Grocery Bag -- Usually use them for tying up stinky diapers.
Coffee Filters -- Free from work (I don't drink coffee). And, no, I didn't steal them.
Paper Clips
Rubber Bands
Bic Pen
White School Glue
Clear Tape -- All free stuff I found lying around
Optional:
CA accelerator -- $4 at the local hobby store. Sets super glue almost instantly.
Tools:
Sharp Blade
Diagonal Cutters
Scissors
Needlenosed pliers
Regular Pliers
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Signing UpStep 1: Assemble the Body
I looked up "ornithopter plans" on Google and can up with these plans. However, I wanted to make an ornithopter with four wings, like this. So I decided to base my ornithopter on the free bird plans, but modified it to make it four-winged and for use with my bamboo construction materials.
Start by removing some flat bamboo strips from the place mat and laying out the body shapes. I made some triangles. Using a pencil, carefully mark lines where they overlap. Cut along the lines with your dikes. Carefully clean up the edges with a knife. Glue together with a bit of superglue and spray with accelerator.
Continue for all the joints.
Start by removing some flat bamboo strips from the place mat and laying out the body shapes. I made some triangles. Using a pencil, carefully mark lines where they overlap. Cut along the lines with your dikes. Carefully clean up the edges with a knife. Glue together with a bit of superglue and spray with accelerator.
Continue for all the joints.
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Skip to 2:50 for test flight !
I'm also wondering if this will work with them.
I already started and I'm on Step 6 and I had no problem so far with my bamboo pieces being round.
the real challenge would be adding a rudder to remote controll it you could use a miniature rc submarine motor and board or
fust buy the havoc avenger and use the electronics from it as weel as rudder only problem is short range and a free flow rudder
first off you could use balsen wood and second the havoc avenger is an ornithopiter as well but the why it flies is hard to control and is adgetating
ps
i tried it but i cant find it now
Argh! Dis is so hard!!! Can anyone give me advice?
Also, wat is the paperclip wire thingy for?
Congrats on your "ornithopter from household materials". To build one of these with such limited materials is a real accomplishment. I wanted to add a comment on your instructable, but it wasn't working, so I decided to send you a message.
Since a lot of people were looking for other plans and stuff, you might want to provide a link to http://www.ornithopter.org where there is a whole section of free plans for various designs.
(The "competition" link and also the "articles and plans" page both have several plans.)
Also, you should delete the comments from that "chirothopter" guy. Historically, the word "ornithopter" refers to any flapping-wing flying device, not just ones that have "feathers". He's only going to confuse people by trying to divide these machines into different categories. Besides, he didn't even construct the term properly: It should be "chiropter" without the "th".
Nathan Chronister
The Ornithopter Zone
PM'd to me and reposted here for everyone's benefit. The link is especially handy!