Things to make - Hummer/buzzer

A somewhat strange noise can be made by swinging in a circle a wire frame with a rubber band stretched across it. Depending on the tightness and type of rubber band the sound may resemble the buzz of a fly or be a higher pitched hum. Having one section of the band tighter and shorter than the other will produce two different sounds at the same time.

Rubber bands that are about 1/4 inch wide seem to work best. The dimensions of the frame should be such that the band is stretched to between 1 1/2 to twice its at rest length. The dimensions given below assume that the band's length is 5 inches. If you use a longer or a shorter band make the square shaped part of the frame larger or smaller so the band will be stretched the needed amount.

Begin by undoing the part of a wire clotheshanger that is twisted together. Straighten out the bends in the wire using a pair of pliers. Don't bother with the small bends where the wire was twisted together.

Select the end of the wire that has little twist bends close to the end. Measure about 6 1/2 inches in from the end and make a 90 degree bend. That gives 5 1/2 inches for one side of a square and 1 inch to make a joint. Measure 5 1/2 inches from that bend and make another 90 degree bend. Make a third 90 degree bend 5 1/2 inches from the second bend. The wire now forms a square with about one inch of the wire's end  extending across the long straight portion of wire. Bend that one inch length around the long portion to make a joint. If you don't have pliers or think you will have trouble making such a joint, here's another way. Make a 90 degree bend one inch from that end of the wire so the one inch piece runs parallel to the long straight portion. Then just wrap the joint with tape. Now make a 90 degree bend about 3 1/2 inches from the other end of the wire.This is where the handle will be.

Remove the ink cartridge from a disposable ball point pen. Use a hacksaw to cut off a 2 1/2 inch long section of the plastic barrel(not the ink cartridge). If you don't have a hacksaw, ask an adult to do the cutting. Place the barrel on a cutting board or some such solid surface that can be damaged without regret. Use a back and forth sawing motion to make the cut. Let the barrel roll as you do this. The knife will make a groove that gets deeper gradually until it breaks.

Put the plastic piece on the wire. Bend the end of the wire into a loop to keep the handle from sliding off of the wire. Make sure the wire end is not sticking out where it will cut you.

Place the band on the square as shown. If no sound is produced, try swinging it in the opposite direction. Also try a different rubber band.

For another design go to
http://edcen.ehhs.cmich.edu/~dhavlena/whirlgig.htm

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