The Cub Scout Tip Up
Intro: The Cub Scout Tip Up
Several Cub scouts in the pack wanted to go Ice fishing this year. So I started to think of how we could get equipment very cheaply. Last summer I found an Ice auger at a yard sale for $15 and I knew then we could go. The only other problem was the tip ups. After a quick trip to the sporting goods store, wow thats what there are getting for tip ups. I needed a cheeper way of making inexpensive tip ups. The cheapest tip ups I found on line was $5 and they were cheaply made. So that was the goal stay under $5 and recycle as much as possible.
In Massachusetts each Licensed fisherman can have five tip ups. Of course you want to bring a friend of child ( child of licensed fisherman can also have five) and some extras in case of epic failure. So plan on making at least 10 I taking 12 scouts fishing and do not plan on making 60 holes in the ice (although I would a right arm like rocky. The auger made it threw five before epic failure. Large pry bar to the rescue)
In Massachusetts each Licensed fisherman can have five tip ups. Of course you want to bring a friend of child ( child of licensed fisherman can also have five) and some extras in case of epic failure. So plan on making at least 10 I taking 12 scouts fishing and do not plan on making 60 holes in the ice (although I would a right arm like rocky. The auger made it threw five before epic failure. Large pry bar to the rescue)
STEP 1: Stuff
Materials:
3 - Wood 1/2" x 1/2" x 18" Free
2- #4 1 1/2" machine screws $7.54 per 50
2- #4 Wing nuts $.98 per 6
1- #6 2" Screws $4.97 per 100
1-#6 nuts $3.77 per 100
1- #4 1/2" machine screw (the kind the switch plates are held on with) $7.54
Old bike spokes (largest rim you can find) Free in basement
Aquarium Hose 1/4 inch Free Found in basement
Wire staples for staple gun $3.26
1- 1/2 Wire staple (the kind that holds romex to the wall) Left over from job
Old electrical fish tape $10 at ACE Hardware (Had in tool box)
Duct tape (fancy colored) Free ($3.50 new)
Several old cd's (2 per tip up) (Canning Jar lids) (Saving since AOL)
1 1/4 PVC pipe (or 3/4 PVC fake wood trim) Free leftover from soda bottle rocket
PVC glue $3.79
Sheet of 1/8 PVC Left over from bathroom re-model
Pony beads (brightly colored)
Hooks and line $4.96 per 100m
Price per tip up about $2.25 in hardware $1.00 in tools (stapler)
Equipment:
Table saw and safety equipment
Chop saw
Wire staple gun with staples (Arrow T25) $20 didn't have one
Drill or Drill press with assorted drill bits
Hammer
Wire cutter or clippers
Screw driver
Vice grips and or pliers (needle nose)
STEP 2: Ripping the Wood
I started with 7 -1 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 36" which is what I had and ripped them on the table saw to about 1/2" x 1/2" x 36" and then cut them to length 18" on the chop saw which yielded 56 sticks I needed three per tip up for 20 tip ups or 60 sticks. The last 4 were ripped from some 3/4 stock pine and were 3/4 square which would not fit the bolts and would later have to be re-trimed
STEP 3: Making the Trigger Wire
The first step is to remove the spokes from the wheel. i thought this would be easer than it was. The gears were in the way. There is an instructable on how to remove them but after years of rusting in the basement it was a lost cause. I unscrewed the spokes from the rim and slid out all the ones i could this yielded enough plus some extra. Once bent its hard to unbend and re-bend them.
Follow the pictures 1st slide on about three inches of the aquarium tubbing then bend from the from out side into the center.
Grip the spoke about 1 1/4" from the threaded end with the vice grips and bend the long end 90 deg Grip the spoke again after the bend you just made and bend the spoke 90 deg in the other direction. This is the S-bend side and is bent on the x,y axis
This is where it gets tricky. Grab the other end of the spoke with vice grips and bend the long end down (z axis.) This bend is 90 deg from either or the other two bends so that the wire will not lie flat against the table. This will form the C-bend side and is bent on the z axis.
Grip the wire about an inch from the last bend and bend down 90 deg again.
Grip next to the last bend and bend 90 deg up.
Repeat about 19 more times.
Follow the pictures 1st slide on about three inches of the aquarium tubbing then bend from the from out side into the center.
Grip the spoke about 1 1/4" from the threaded end with the vice grips and bend the long end 90 deg Grip the spoke again after the bend you just made and bend the spoke 90 deg in the other direction. This is the S-bend side and is bent on the x,y axis
This is where it gets tricky. Grab the other end of the spoke with vice grips and bend the long end down (z axis.) This bend is 90 deg from either or the other two bends so that the wire will not lie flat against the table. This will form the C-bend side and is bent on the z axis.
Grip the wire about an inch from the last bend and bend down 90 deg again.
Grip next to the last bend and bend 90 deg up.
Repeat about 19 more times.
STEP 4: The Reel
I have several ideas for the reel. In this instructable I will only talk about two and will later add other reels on other instructables.
The first one involves CD (I have been saving since AOL went wild with giving them out.)
First sort the CDs leave the most colorful for the visible side of the tip up. We will start with the the less colorful one and drill a 9/64 hole about 1/4" from the edge. Screw in one of the #4 1/2" machine screws. I used the label side on the outside and the shiny side for the inside. (I wasn't shure the PVC would glue to the lable.
Next cut the 1 1/4 PVC Pipe into 3/4 lengths be careful not to chip the pipe or move the pipe while cutting or the reels wont be square. Also you will also need to remove any burs so the pipes will lie flat against the CDs. Larger pipe would work and keep the CD's from braking.
Using a drill press and hole saw. I cut circles from the 1/8" PVC to fit in the pipes. I think that 1 1/4 refers to the inside diameter. As the luck god was smiling at me this was also the diameter of the hole saw I had and the clear part of the CD is also 1 1/4" so that you can glue on the PVC hole using the circle as a guide and then the pipe will (with glue) snap onto the hole. I glued the holes on the CD lining up the clear part of the CD let that dry, glued on the pipe to one CD let it dry and then glued on the other CD. Make sure the screw points to the outside of the reel.
Another method I tried was to cut holes out some left over PVC trim wood 1x4 this also worked and didn't need the pipe and hole combo (3/4 stock would be better).
Last step was to drill a hole in the center of the reel for a #6 screw. You want the reel to turn so the hole has to be loose.
I tried using metal lids (the kind from old frozen OJ cartons or Canning lids) and 3/4 slice of of 3/4 copper pipe. I was unable to sodder them (they are coated) and thought epoxy would be too messy. I think the epoxy would work fine. The metal could also be indented so the 1/2" screw would be flush.
The first one involves CD (I have been saving since AOL went wild with giving them out.)
First sort the CDs leave the most colorful for the visible side of the tip up. We will start with the the less colorful one and drill a 9/64 hole about 1/4" from the edge. Screw in one of the #4 1/2" machine screws. I used the label side on the outside and the shiny side for the inside. (I wasn't shure the PVC would glue to the lable.
Next cut the 1 1/4 PVC Pipe into 3/4 lengths be careful not to chip the pipe or move the pipe while cutting or the reels wont be square. Also you will also need to remove any burs so the pipes will lie flat against the CDs. Larger pipe would work and keep the CD's from braking.
Using a drill press and hole saw. I cut circles from the 1/8" PVC to fit in the pipes. I think that 1 1/4 refers to the inside diameter. As the luck god was smiling at me this was also the diameter of the hole saw I had and the clear part of the CD is also 1 1/4" so that you can glue on the PVC hole using the circle as a guide and then the pipe will (with glue) snap onto the hole. I glued the holes on the CD lining up the clear part of the CD let that dry, glued on the pipe to one CD let it dry and then glued on the other CD. Make sure the screw points to the outside of the reel.
Another method I tried was to cut holes out some left over PVC trim wood 1x4 this also worked and didn't need the pipe and hole combo (3/4 stock would be better).
Last step was to drill a hole in the center of the reel for a #6 screw. You want the reel to turn so the hole has to be loose.
I tried using metal lids (the kind from old frozen OJ cartons or Canning lids) and 3/4 slice of of 3/4 copper pipe. I was unable to sodder them (they are coated) and thought epoxy would be too messy. I think the epoxy would work fine. The metal could also be indented so the 1/2" screw would be flush.
STEP 5: Drilling the Holes and Numbering the Sticks.
I Started by grouping the sticks in groups of three's. It was anal but i started getting confused by all the bending and i didn't want to mess up. I have 12 scouts that love to point out that I'm human.
Start by taking two sticks placing the long sides together and drilling a hole 9/64 hole in the center through the center of both sticks. Call the top stick number 1 (one hole) he is complete
Take the second and the third stick and line them up so the third sick hangs off the left side 1 1/4" make a mark about 3/4 to 1 inch to the left of the frist hole the second hole should go threw both second stick perpendicular to the first hole (on the other side) The stick number 2 should have two holes at right angles to each other about an inch apart. (2 holes - stick two) he is complete
Stick number three will need a 11/64 hole one inch from the left side (thats side that hung over) and a 3/32 hole for the wire staple (trigger catch) 1/2" from the left. You can better determine where this hole should go by making the reel first and and placing the trigger wire so the s bend is hits the catch on the reel and the trigger catch will be in the middle of the u bend.
Start by taking two sticks placing the long sides together and drilling a hole 9/64 hole in the center through the center of both sticks. Call the top stick number 1 (one hole) he is complete
Take the second and the third stick and line them up so the third sick hangs off the left side 1 1/4" make a mark about 3/4 to 1 inch to the left of the frist hole the second hole should go threw both second stick perpendicular to the first hole (on the other side) The stick number 2 should have two holes at right angles to each other about an inch apart. (2 holes - stick two) he is complete
Stick number three will need a 11/64 hole one inch from the left side (thats side that hung over) and a 3/32 hole for the wire staple (trigger catch) 1/2" from the left. You can better determine where this hole should go by making the reel first and and placing the trigger wire so the s bend is hits the catch on the reel and the trigger catch will be in the middle of the u bend.
STEP 6: Packaging for the Assemble Team.
This being a Cub Scout project I wanted to package the parts for each scout to make his own tip up. For each tip up they get sticks 1,2,3, one trigger wire and 18 inches of the electrical fish tape (Flag wire).
Cutting the fish tape into 18" segments was hard with the nippers. You could also grab them with the vice grips and bend them back and forth until they snap. I also curled up the 1/4 of the ends, so the flag wire would be stopped by the staples and not be pulled out.
I taped the peices together with blue painters tape to be hannded out at the meeting. If I was a cost efficiency expert I would have used duct tape and then reused it for the flag.
In retro spec I should also made up zip lock baggies to hold the reel, 2- #4 x 1 1/2" screws with wing nuts, 1- #6 x 2" with nut, 2 pony beads and 1- wire staple. We just handed them out.
Cutting the fish tape into 18" segments was hard with the nippers. You could also grab them with the vice grips and bend them back and forth until they snap. I also curled up the 1/4 of the ends, so the flag wire would be stopped by the staples and not be pulled out.
I taped the peices together with blue painters tape to be hannded out at the meeting. If I was a cost efficiency expert I would have used duct tape and then reused it for the flag.
In retro spec I should also made up zip lock baggies to hold the reel, 2- #4 x 1 1/2" screws with wing nuts, 1- #6 x 2" with nut, 2 pony beads and 1- wire staple. We just handed them out.
STEP 7: Final Assembly
Assembly procedure for the scouts
Step 1 Find stick number 1 (Its the one with one hole)
Step 2 Find stick number 2 (Its the one with two holes)
Step 3 Using the 1 1/2" screw (the one with a wing nut) and a screw driver screw the screw through the center hole of both sticks and put it aside.
Step 4 Using the larger screw, place the screw through the hole in the reel so that it points in the same direction as the little screw thats on the reel. Add two pony beads to the screw and place the screw the in the hole on the third stick. Add nut and tighen slightly so that the reel still rotates.
Step 5 Place the trigger wire on the third stick so that the s-bend is triggered by the small screw on the reel and the c-bend is over the third hole. Staple the trigger wire with the wire stapler just above the s-bend on the tubing, at the top of the tubing and just below the s-bend.
Step 6 Place the flag wire(electral fish tape) on the opposite side of the stick and staple one 1/2" from the top, again at 1" and again at 1 1/2" Tap the staples snugly so that the flag wire moves but is not loose.
Step 7 Remove the insulator from the wire staple. Insert the wire staple through the small top hole on the reel side. Use hammer to bend over the point of the staple sticking through the hole. Cut other end even or just shy of the edge oppisit the real of the stick.
Step 8 Using the sticks from step three, screw the last screw threw the second hole on the number 2 stick and on the last hole in the number 3 stick so that the wing nut ends up on the reel side of the tip up and the short end of the stick ends just before the nut holding the reel.
Step 9 Add two inches of colorfull duct tape to the top (away from the reel) of the flag wire. Put wire in center of tape and fold closed like a book.
Step 10 Add fishing line, weight and hook.
Step 1 Find stick number 1 (Its the one with one hole)
Step 2 Find stick number 2 (Its the one with two holes)
Step 3 Using the 1 1/2" screw (the one with a wing nut) and a screw driver screw the screw through the center hole of both sticks and put it aside.
Step 4 Using the larger screw, place the screw through the hole in the reel so that it points in the same direction as the little screw thats on the reel. Add two pony beads to the screw and place the screw the in the hole on the third stick. Add nut and tighen slightly so that the reel still rotates.
Step 5 Place the trigger wire on the third stick so that the s-bend is triggered by the small screw on the reel and the c-bend is over the third hole. Staple the trigger wire with the wire stapler just above the s-bend on the tubing, at the top of the tubing and just below the s-bend.
Step 6 Place the flag wire(electral fish tape) on the opposite side of the stick and staple one 1/2" from the top, again at 1" and again at 1 1/2" Tap the staples snugly so that the flag wire moves but is not loose.
Step 7 Remove the insulator from the wire staple. Insert the wire staple through the small top hole on the reel side. Use hammer to bend over the point of the staple sticking through the hole. Cut other end even or just shy of the edge oppisit the real of the stick.
Step 8 Using the sticks from step three, screw the last screw threw the second hole on the number 2 stick and on the last hole in the number 3 stick so that the wing nut ends up on the reel side of the tip up and the short end of the stick ends just before the nut holding the reel.
Step 9 Add two inches of colorfull duct tape to the top (away from the reel) of the flag wire. Put wire in center of tape and fold closed like a book.
Step 10 Add fishing line, weight and hook.
STEP 8: Go Fishing
This was the fun part. Sorry the pictures didn't come out so well the lighting was difficult and i couldn't see anything on the screen.
Check off make instructable from the bucket list.
Check off make instructable from the bucket list.
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