Rubber-Band Powered Altoids Boat

This instructable is on how to build a Rubber-Band Powered Altoids Boat! Perhaps you remember making a boat out of a milk carton as a kid. Now here's one out of an Altoids Tin! They are a great thing to do with kids. Also you don't have to worry about using batteries either! (Green power!) So work hard, have fun, play nice, & don't forget to vote!

Step 1: Stuff Needed:

This is what you will need:
1x Altoids Tin
2x Popsicle Sticks
1x Small Chunk of Plastic
1x Small Rubber Band
Either a Large Rubber Band or Hot Glue
Scissors

Step 2: Add the Popsicle Sticks to the Tin

To hot glue them:

(1st Picture)
Add some hot glue from the end to about 2 in on one side of one of the popsicle sticks

(2nd Picture)
Stick the popsicle stick to the side of the Altoids tin.

(3rd Picture)
Repeat on the other side.

To use a rubber band:

Set the Popsicle sticks so they overlap the end of the tin by about 2 1/2 in.

(5th Picture)
Use the rubber band to the Popsicle sticks on.

Step 3: Make and Add the Propeller

To make the Propeller:

(1st Picture)
Cut a your plastic to about 2 in by 1 1/2 in.

To add it:

(2nd Picture)
Add the Small rubber band to the ends of the Popsicle sticks.

(3rd Picture)
Put your plastic piece you cut out between the rubber band. It may not stay there.

Step 4: Using Your Altoids Boat

If your plastic piece fell out put it back in. Once it is in rotate the piece so it gets wound up. Then while holding the plastic piece (Propeller) set it in some water (Bath tub, pool...) and let go! Once it stops Repeat! When your done playing with it dry it really well. Other wise the Altoids tin may rust. Also you can put the plastic propeller thing in the altoids tin so you don't lose is when it is stored. If the popsicles sticks bend a little don't worry it is just the wood getting soft from the water.

Thanks for reading my instructable and don't forget to vote for it!

Comments

[IndyaW]

I'm doing a project for engineering class and i would like to know how far did your rubberband model go? and also how long did it take? Thanks.

[hheitzig]

be nice

[WAFFLES99]

cool!!!

[hheitzig]

no

[thing 2]

I really like it 4.5

[hheitzig]

5

[ArjunG3]

Can you attach this sort of propeller to a different shaped body?

[haris5]

ausum

[haris5]

ausum

[haris5]

ausum

[The Doctor and the TARDIS]

thats cool!

[$THAT#GUY$]

Add a fin to the bottom and it will always go strait even if the propeller is off set a little : )

[fireball1234]

Can you make an altoids mint cargo ship+ harbor

[oldgramps]

I made a project similar to this, but its motorized. https://www.instructables.com/id/Motorized-Altoids-Tin-Boat/

[somebody12345]

Looks Pretty darn neat i think i will try it

[optimist123]

How far does it go after one wind up

[Yashasvi]

If you cut slots in two pieces of plastic and mesh them together to get a cross shaped piece and then use it as a paddle wheel, it will not fall off the rubber band.

[yamahayzfr1extreme]

who r u? where do u live? which school do u go to? plz rply.............

[yamahayzfr1extreme]

i m making one with a different body boat the same engine..............

[TSC]

sweet I made this it is so cool here are pic of my