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How to Build a Model Pendulum Ride

Pendulum rides -- while simpler than the complex designs of many roller coasters and other fairground rides -- provide one of the most thrilling experiences at a carnival. The zero-gravity effect that passengers feel when the pendulum starts to descend and the sensation of being lifted from their seats has been known to strike terror into the hearts of even the most hardened fairground goer. Despite this terror factor, pendulum rides are considered amongst the safest of the high adrenaline rides, making up only 4% of U.S. fairground injuries per year. Model pendulum rides make an ideal addition to a miniature fun park, maybe in a wider model village. They can even be used to test the science and physics behind these successful machines.

Things You'll Need

Old bicycle frame
Hacksaw
Thick wooden board
Protractor
Drill
Metal drill bit
Wooden drill pit
Metal dowel
Nuts and bolts
Metal strips
Super glue

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the two pairs of rear forks from the back of an old bicycle frame using the hacksaw. This creates two metal triangles that will form the frame of your pendulum ride. Cut the legs of the triangles to the length you want them and angle the feet of the triangles so they can stand flat on ground.
- 2
  Drill a hole in the wooden board the same diameter as the tubular frame and the same angle as the metal. Push one of the legs of the frame into the hole and secure with super glue. Drill another hole where the other leg of the same triangle is, again securing with super glue. Measure how far apart you want the two sides of your frame to be and repeat this step for the other triangle, ensuring the two holes at the apexes of the triangles line up.
- 3
  Cut a piece of metal dowel to a length equal to the distance between the two triangles plus 2 inches. The dowel should be of a diameter where it can fit through the circular holes at the top of the triangles, but not too narrow as to rattle around. Push the dowel through the two circles so that one inch is protruding on each side. Drill through this excess and push a threaded bolt through, secured with a nut on the other side to prevent the dowel from falling out. The bolt should be almost flush to the edge of the triangle and oiled to allow ease of movement. Repeat this at the other end of the dowel.
- 4
  Drill into the portion of dowel between the triangles. Thread another piece of dowel through this hole, so that one inch protrudes and secure in the same way. This is one of the struts that will hold the cradle part of the pendulum ride. Repeat this with as many struts as you need, securing with a threaded bolt and a nut after drilling.
- 5
  Drill holes in metal strips and attach these onto the bottom of the struts by threading the strut through the hole, drilling and attaching a nut and bolt, in the same way as has been done previously. By running these strips between pairs of struts you create small platforms on which to attach the model boat to your model pendulum ride. Screw the model boat onto the platforms to complete the model.

Model Railroads