Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Making a simple grinder
• Method 2 of 3: Making a windmill from a can
• Method 3 of 3: Making a windmill from a jerry can
• Necessities
• Making a simple grinder
• Making a windmill from a can
• Making a windmill from a jerry can

A working scale model of a windmill is a fun craft project for school or just at home. Make a simple windmill, craft a windmill from a can or build a windmill based on a jerry can containing milk. When you have your windmill ready, watch how the rotating blades convert wind into energy.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Making a simple grinder

1. Glue two sheets of paper together. Cut out two sheets of paper measuring 14 by 14 centimeters. Glue the two sheets of paper together, making sure the colored or patterned sides are facing out. Let the glue dry completely.
2. Measure and cut the blades. Grab a ruler and a pencil. Place the ruler diagonally between two corners. Lightly draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other. Then draw a diagonal line between the other two corners to make an "X". Cut the lines in two inches from the corners to the center.
3. Fold the corners towards the center of the mill and glue them there. Carefully fold one corner at a time towards the center at a time. Apply a dollop of glue to the center of the grinder and tape the corner. Hold the corner between your thumb and index finger until it is dry. Fold and glue the remaining three corners.
4. Using a thumbtack, make a straw to the mill washes. When the glue is dry, hold a plastic straw along the center of the back of the mill. The end should not stick out from the top of the grinder. Attach the straw to the mill by poking a thumbtack through the center of the mill and the straw.
5. Connect the grinder to a motor to make a grinder that generates energy. Remove the mill from the straw.
   • Place three or four strips of masking tape over the center of the mill.
   • Insert the shaft of a small motor into the grinder and cover the end of the shaft with a cap, a piece of cork, or a small amount of clay.
   • Connect the wires from the motor to the lamp using alligator clips.
   • Hold the grinder in front of a fan and watch the lamp light up.

Method 2 of 3: Making a windmill from a can

1. Determine the width of the blades. Before starting this job, wash and dry the can thoroughly. Measure the circumference of the can and divide the can into six or eight equal elongated pieces. These will be the blades of your windmill. Use a waterproof marker to mark these segments on the can.
2. Cut off the blades. Put on safety glasses and gloves. Using your scissors, carefully cut along the outer edges of the blades. Stop cutting about an inch from the bottom of the can.
3. Straighten and flatten the blades with a hammer. One at a time, with gloved hands, bend the blades down towards the surface you are working on. Grab a hammer. Place the can on the ground and gently tap all the blades until they are flat.
4. Sand the can. Keep your gloves on and get the sandpaper. Slowly run the sandpaper across the front and back of the can. Focus mainly on sanding the edges.
   • Sanding the can will allow the paint to adhere to the surface.
5. Spray paint on the can. Place newspaper or cardboard on the floor. Place the can on the paper or cardboard. Put on your protective mask. Spray a thin coat of paint on the blades and the center of the can. Let the paint dry and then apply two coats of polyurethane lacquer.
6. Place the wooden dowel under the can. Take the dowel and put the can on top. The dowel should traverse the center of the blades.
7. Nail the center of the blades to the dowel. Hold the dowel in place and ask a friend or adult to help you. Drive a nail through the center of the can and into the wooden dowel. Wiggle the nail to make the hole bigger so the blades can turn.

Method 3 of 3: Making a windmill from a jerry can

1. Wash and dry the jerry can. Wash the jerry can that contained milk with soapy water. Rinse the canister several times with clean water. Lay it upside down on a towel to dry.
2. Fill the jerry can with gravel. When the jerry can is dry, turn it over. Pack 500 grams of gravel - dried beans are also suitable. Carefully pour the gravel into the jerry can.
3. Poke two holes in the jerry can. Grab a sharp pen or pencil. Hold the sharp point of your pen or pencil halfway up the side in the center of the canister. Poke your pen or pencil through the side and pull it out on the other side to make two holes that are parallel to each other.
4. Attach the straw to the cork. Push one end of the straw through the center of the wine cork. Make sure everything fits exactly. If the straw is made of soft plastic, you may need to cut some material out of the cork to insert the straw.
5. Put the straw in the jerry can and fasten the wicks. Push the end of the straw without the cork through the holes in the jerry can. Use a paper clip or glue to attach the wicks to the end of the straw without using the wine cork. Make sure that the blades can rotate easily without falling off the jerry can.
6. Attach a paperclip to a string and tie the string around the wine cork. Cut a length of yarn measuring 60 to 80 centimeters. Tie one end around the cork. Attach the second end to the second paper clip. Blow the windmill, put it outside or put it in front of a fan and see what happens to the paperclip.

Necessities

Making a simple grinder

• You can choose two pieces of craft cardboard - color and pattern yourself
• Plastic straw
• Glue
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Pushpin

Making a windmill from a can

• Empty can without top
• Eye protection
• Work gloves
• Protective mask
• Scissors
• Sandpaper
• Old newspapers or cardboard
• Spray paint
• Polyurethane lacquer
• Dowel (round wooden pin)
• Nail

Making a windmill from a jerry can

• Jerrycan containing milk with a capacity of about six liters
• 500 grams of gravel
• Sharp pen or pencil
• Plastic straws that don't bend
• Wine cork
• Wicks
• Two paper clips
• White yarn