Water to Wine Illusion Box

Have you ever wished that you could turn water into wine (or at least fruit juice). Well now you can with this magic mystery box. All you have to do is pour in water. Then inside the box a bunch of magic happens. Finally out comes a fine glass of wine.

Step 1: Watch the Video

Here is a video walkthrough of the project.

Step 2: Materials

Here are the materials and tools that you will need for this project

Materials

Cardboard Box

Glue

Clear Packing Tape

2 Liter Soda Bottle

2 x Water Bottles or Small Soda Bottle

Small Airline Tubing

Waterproof Sealant (optional)

Knife

Drill and Bit Set

Scissors

Wire Cutters (optional)

Step 3: How the System Works

When water is poured into the funnel, it drains through the first tube and into the empty bottle. The incoming water pushed some of the air out of this bottle, through the second tube and into the second bottle. The increased pressure in the second bottle pushes the wine out through the third tube and into the glass. This process can continue until the wine bottle is empty.

Step 4: Cut the Top Off of the 2 Liter Bottle

Use a sharp knife to cut off the top of the 2 liter bottle. Try to make the cut edge as even as possible. This will be the intake funnel for the mystery box. Then cut off the ring at the mouth of the bottle.

Step 5: Drill Holes in the Bottle Caps

The easiest way to fit the tubes into the bottles is through a hole in the cap. You need two caps that have two holes and one cap that has one hole. You can just drill the holes using a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the air tubing.

Step 6: Insert the Tubing Into the Caps

First cut air tubing to the appropriate lengths. I used two pieces that where 6 inches long and one piece that was 18 inches long. Your dimensions will depend on the bottles and the box that you are using.

Once your pieces are cut, you can insert them into the caps. Take one of the 6 inch pieces of tubing and insert one end into the cap that has a single hole in it. Then take the other end and insert it into one of the holes on a second cap. The tubing only needs to go through the cap about 1/2 of an inch. Then take the second piece of 6 inch tubing and insert it into the free hole on the second cap and one of the holes on the third cap. Again it only needs to go through the cap about 1/2 of an inch. Lastly take the 18 inch long piece of tubing and insert it through the free hole on the third cap. This tubing should go through the cap far enough that the bottom of the tube will be able to reach the bottom of the bottle.

The tubing should be able to make a mostly air tight seal with the caps. If the tubes are too loose, you can apply a sealant around the tube. Let any sealant fully cure before using the system.

Step 7: Invert the Box (optional)

My box was pretty torn up on the outside. So I decided to turn it inside out. To do this, all you have to do is separate the one glue joint that holds the box together. In most cases you can just tear the flap off of the inside of the box. Then bend all the sides around the other direction so that the sides that were on the outside are now on the inside of the box. Glue the flap back onto the side of the box on the opposite side. Then clamp the pieces together with binder clamps until the glue is fully cured.

Step 8: Cut Holes in the Box for the Funnel and the Tubing

First we need to attach the funnel to the top of the box. Trace the outline of the narrow end of the funnel in the center of the top of the box. Then carefully cut out this circle with a knife.

Then we need to make a hole in the side of the box for the output tube. The easiest way to do this is to drill a hole with the same drill bit that you used to make the holes in the caps. You want the hole to be at least an inch above the fluid level of the wine bottle. If the end of the output hose is lower than the level of the fluid in the wine bottle, you can create a siphon that can cause the entire contents of the wine bottle to drain out. This can be an interesting trick in and of itself (appearing to multiply water) but it is not what we are going for in this project.

Step 9: Insert All the Parts Into the Box

Now you are ready to load all the parts into the box. Start by inserting the narrow end of the funnel through the hole in the top of the box. Then take the cap with a single hole and screw it onto the funnel inside the box.

Next screw the second cap onto the first bottle which should be empty. Screw the third cap onto the second bottle which should be full of wine (or juice or soda or whatever).

Lastly take the hose that is coming out of the second bottle and feed it through the hole in the side of the box.

Once all the parts are inside the box, you can tape the box closed.

Step 10: Label the Box Something Mysterious (optional)

Your water to wine magic box is complete. But you can add a little more fun by writing a mysterious label on the side. I chose to write "Transmogrifier" in reference to Calvin and Hobbes.

Step 11: Use Your Box to Turn Water Into Wine

Fill your glass with water. Then pour it into the funnel on top of the box. Quickly move your cup to below the output tube. Your glass will begin to fill up with wine. You can continue this process until the wine bottle is empty. This makes a great party trick. Or you can fill it with Kool-aid and impress a bunch of kids. Whatever you do, have fun.

Comments

[reachandteach]

Great trick!

[Marty J]

Awesome as nails. I will try this.

[davidc311]

cool

[SkySky8]

This is so neat and entertaining!! I'm sure to try it out someday!

[mahdyfo]

My biggest problem is finding a suitable glue for sticking caps and tubings. Most of the times there is a hole which frees air so it stops.

[08spacecadet]

I have the same problem. I tried using hot glue on both side of the caps and it works for about 12 oz but then it stops and when I continue to add water to the funnel to get it going again nothing happens.

[JustMeDenniS]

Can you also make it with some straws instead of the tubes you're using??

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

It is possible but it would be a little more difficult.

[JustMeDenniS]

okay, thanks.

How should I bend the straws for the best result?

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

That is entirely dependent on the exact kind of materials that you have to work with. You will just need to do a lot of trial and error.

[lawman2u]

Very neat trick. Used Gatorade bottles and a large soda bottle top for a funnel. I think if I used a larger tube from the funnel to the first bottle it would push more air into the wine bottle. Gonna try it.

[seth42]

Hahaha Calvin and Hobbes I love it. Super cool instructable. I love siphons!

[Instrobot]

it's really simple and it's all composed of reused common things, Also is an easy and interesting physics project (heron's fountain), it's a fantastic method to offer something to drink to your friends.Thanks from Italy :)

[Alareth]

unique use for a Heron's Fountain

[rich_2910]

Jesus Christ! That's awesome!

[watchmeflyy]

Very clever.. and scientific. ^^

[Verticees]

I love this!

[gravityisweak]

It would be great if instead of a box shape, you made it into a human shape with the mouth as the "input" and another part of the body as the wine "output"

[davidandora]

Fun Instructible, and fairly simple! Going to have to make this one for the next social gathering!

[hjjusa]

I always wondered how he did that one 2000 years ago.