Build a Cardboard Tank

Intro: Build a Cardboard Tank

My buddies and I were trying to think of something we could build out of cardboard and duct tape. We came up with a tank. It was a little more costly than originally estimated, but it was fun and the end result is amazing. It'll blow your friends away! This instructable will go through each step in the process, and hopefully you'll be able to build your very own tank for you to play in (or your kids/pets/neighbors/neighbor's cat to play in). BTW, please hit the vote button for the cardboard and duct tape contest!!!!

STEP 1: Materials and Tools

For this job, all you really need is cardboard, duct tape (regular gray, dark gray, white, and black), and something to cut with (utility knife works great). We also used a few power tools along the way, just to speed the job up--they're not required. Also, get as much cardboard as you can get your hands on. We went to or called every appliance store in town begging for cardboard. Ask for fridge boxes, washer/dryer boxes, anything big works great. Also, be sure to ask for the extremely hard cardboard used to protect the corners of the appliances. These are a must in a first couple steps. And, as for the duct tape, I think we ended up using about 60 rolls.

STEP 2: Build the Frame

Take those tough corner pieces, the strong tubes, the duct tape and start putting it together. We cut slots in the tubes to help support the corner pieces, then wrapped the joint in duct tape in a X shape.

STEP 3: Begin Adding the "Skin" and Other Supports

Once the frame is built, grab some of the fridge boxes and start piecing it all together. At this point, it doesn't look much like a tank at all, but remember, this is just the skeleton! You have to keep the vision in your mind. 

STEP 4: Create the Turret and the Wheels

The turret is made the same way as the main body of the tank (frame and skin). The wheel are cardboard concrete forms used for footings in construction work. They are 16" in diameter, and 10" deep. There's 7 wheels per side.

STEP 5: Tape It Up With the Colored Tape!

We were going for a snow camo look. And of course we wanted to do the new digital camo styling. So, we taped the whole body in white, the tracks and behind the wheels in cheap gray tape, the wheels were black with a white hub, and we used multiple shades of gray and black for the camo patterns.

STEP 6: Go Have Fun With Your New Tank...

We took ours down a tube run. It was a blast.

Comments

[Joeseph124]

Very awesome tank! I made one similar to that one and I attached a Nerf Rival Blaster attached to a christmas wrapping tube to simulate the cannon barrel. I made a ball race for the turret to rotate, and this article really helped me with making the structure of the tank.You can shoot the darts through the barrel too, so I made a sight for it.

[39601]

i am going to have a ww2 nerf war but how are we going to make it drive

[babciabezkapcia2006]

cut some holes to get inside and holes for your legs and then when you are inside of ur tank grab it from inside and go

[39601]

idk

[FaZeN2]

What tank is it? Is it a panther, tiger or an Abrams??? please answer qukcly, im planning to make it

[39601]

tiger

[anv3D]

What do you mean by you took it down a tube run?

[D3F4U1T]

putting it down something like a snow hill

[Stealth_invader]

im making a cardboard tank for a miniature army with my friends. im gonna add holes so i can stick a nerf gun through.

[D3F4U1T]

i sudggest a modded gun for the main barrel....a nerf reltaliator or a centurion something like that....

[beasthunter]

Wow! I'm going to make a cardboard tank for a movie I'm making. That tank helps a lot ! Will send pic of it when I'm done!

[tomgerg]

although not nearly as grand as the one shown here, I made a full size 2d M1 tank out of cardboard for my son-in-law when he retired from the marines. I had quite a lot of trouble finding a group that wanted it when I was done. (finally found one, but I don't know if they ever used it)

[captain mustache]

Awesom

[captain mustache]

That is awesome! Are you willing to sell it? If yes how much?

[joshabgvghn]

I want one with my bed in it always ready

[knocknock]

Try building an airplane next!

[Ringer1633]

does it move?

[jimmycorrao33]

No, doesn't move. But I think you should build one and make it move!

[Loric]

What a great job!! You were most deserving of the grand prize award.

[shotgunshane]

so, what other contest was this in, hmm? i see other cardboard cars in the background of your pics.