Every once in a while, I find the stuff that would make your kids vote for you in a “Coolest parent of the year” contest (for the record, *I* would vote for you every time, but sometimes the kinds need a reminder of how great you are). Follow this cotton candy machine build guide (or if you don’t want all the instructions on one page, start at the intro page)and you’ll get back high on their list for votes.
Here’s a bit to help you see if you are ready to start:
step 1:Materials / Necessities
Okay, so here’s what you’re going to need to make your own cotton candy machine!
Materials:
- 1- standard electric motor (preferably 1/4″ motor shaft)
- 1- 3.25″ X 6+” Aluminum extruded round bar (3.25″ diameter)
- 2 – 1/2″ bolts of any size diameter (smaller = better, but you need the tap for it)
- 2 – 1″ bolts of any size diameter (need the tap for the right size)
- 1 – average toaster heating element
- ? – .25″ diameter copper pipe (or crimping connectors for wiring)
- 1 – radio-controller “floppy” antenna
- ? – lots of miscellaneous screws, nuts, and bolts
- 1- 3″ (dia) X .125″ piece of wood
- 1- Light Switch Dimmer or Adjustable power supply ( needs to be able to handle high voltage and amperage output)
- Teflon Tape
- Conductive Tape
- A large, plastic or metal, circular object (if you don’t have one, make one)
- Some wire mesh (usually used as gutter covering)
- A Few Sheets of paper
- Some tape
- Some heavy gauge wire
- A small bit of fast drying concrete
Tools:
- Lathe
- Tap
- Electrician’s pliers
- Band/Hack saw (if using copper pipe)
- Drill press (and the smallest drill bit you can find, at least 1/16″ or smaller)
- metal working clamps
- Tin Snips
- Alibre Design Express (free at www.alibre.com)
The entire instruction set is a bit long, but we’re talking home-made cotton candy here, folks. You just can’t pass up awesomeness like that.
[tags]Instructables, MAKEzine, Cotton Candy, DIY, Do it yourself, Build your own cotton candy machine[/tags]