Kids project: Paper airplane launcher

Flip the switch, load the plane and let it fly.

DIFFICULTY

MATERIALS LIST

• 25 mm x 75 mm x 1 200 mm

pine project board • two 3-volt electric motors • push-button on-off switch • holder for two AAA batteries • two Solarbotics small rubber

wheels with 2 mm shaft • 10 mm x 50 mm carriage bolt,

washer, wing nut • 1 20 mm 20-gauge bell wire

TOOLS

• mitre saw • drill press • 24 mm spade drill bit • cordless drill • 12 mm, 10 mm drill bits • wood glue • hot-glue gun • soldering gun • wire strippers • pliers DIRECTIONS

1. Use a mitre saw to cut two 270 mm lengths and two 50 mm lengths of wood. 2. On one of the 270 mm boards, mark the position of the motor holes according to the diagram (opposite page). Bore the holes using a 24 mm spade bit and a drill press or cordless drill. 3. Test-fit the motors and launch wheels to verify proper spacing. Use a hot-glue gun to fasten the motors so that their tops are flush with the top of the launch platform.

4. On the lower-left corner of the wooden piece with the launch wheels, use a drill and a 12 mm bit to make a hole for the push-button switch. Line the hole with a little hot glue and insert the switch. Use a 10 mm bit to make the bolt holes in the mounting blocks (the 50 mm lengths you cut in step 1) as shown in the diagram. 5. Cut two 270 mm lengths of wire and five 100 mm pieces. Strip 10 mm of insulation from each end.