Years back I found that I could make tetrapods if I combine four soda bottles. This became one of my first sculpture projects that evoke artificial hearts.

For a long time I didn’t know what to do with this idea and sort of forgot. I am revisiting the project and decided to share with everyone. I am not sure if this has any practical applications but it’s a fun project. First thing comes up to my mind is a LED lamp. May be good as a container as well. If you use rivets to hold them together they will be stronger.

Looking forward to see your ideas!

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials:

Soda bottles : 4 bottles for each tetrapod Chose the bottles with plain smooth round shoulders with no ornamental releiefs.

Good bottles

Pepsi: Most of the Pepsi bottles are strong and has the right shape. Avoid the ones that has ornaments on the shoulder.

Target’s soda: perfect round shape and strong.

Smart water : I havent’ tested these yet but they have the right shape.

Bad bottles

Coke: the shoulder is too narrow and too much ornamentations. No good.

Root Beer: the shape is OK but plastic is too thin and lower quality.

Tools:

Sharpie (fine point) Scissors Knife Ruler Clear Scoch Tape

Optional: Dremel Ribets: ⅛”x ⅛” Ribet gun Cutting mat with inch grids

Step 2: Instruction for Small Target Soda Bottles

Trace the top edge of the label with fine point sharpie.

Cut into the bottle under the line with the knife. Insert the scissors from the incision cut with the knife and carefully cut along the line. You want to cut it slowly so you make a clean cut.

Make 4 of these to make one tetrapod.

Put the bottles together with clear tape. For more more secure joints drill holes and join them with rivets.

Step 3: Instruction for 2 Litter Pepsi Bottle

Trace the top edge of the label with fine point sharpie.

Cut into the bottle under the line with the knife. Insert the scissors from the incision cut with the knife and cut along the line. You don’t need to be perfect at all but leave the original line visible and don’t cut into the line.

Place the cut bottle on the grids of the cutting mat or a ruler. Mark 1” inside along the first line and draw a line. Cut along this line with scissors carefully. This is going to be the final edge so you want is to be as clean as possible.

Make 4 of these to make one tetrapod.

Combine them together and hold them with the tape. If you want stronger, permanent joint, use rivets.