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How to Build a Homemade Seismograph

A seismograph is a device that records seismic energy waves, which move through the ground and are typically caused by an earthquake or another large ground movement. This movement is transferred from the device to a graph. You can make a homemade seismograph as a science project for school. To do this you will need to either make or obtain all of the parts required for the project, many of which can be found at a local home improvement store or at a wood shop.

Things You'll Need

1/2-inch thick wood board
Tape measure
Table saw
1-inch wood board
2-by-4-inch board
Miter saw
Pencil
Power drill
1/4-inch wood dowels
2-inch roll of adding machine paper
Metal can
1-inch screw
Screwdriver
Pen
1-lb. weight
Duct tape
Wire twine

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the 1/2-inch thick wood board to 10 inches by 24 inches with the tape measure. Cut the board using a table saw. Measure and cut the 1-inch wood board to 1-inch by 20 inches.
- 2
  Measure a 2-by-4 board to 12 inches. Cut the 2-by-4 to this length with the miter saw. Measure and cut two support blocks that measure 8 inches.
- 3
  Measure the two support blocks in Step 2 to 2 inches and 6 inches. Make a mark on each block with the pencil. Drill a 1/4-inch hole into the support blocks on each mark with the power drill.
- 4
  Insert wood dowels into the holes on one of the support blocks. Place the roll of adding machine paper and the smooth can onto the dowels. Align the holes in the second support block with the dowels and press to secure.
- 5
  Place the 10-by-24-inch wood board on top of the 12-inch 2-by-4 board. Drill two pilot holes into the boards. Secure the 12-inch 2-by-4 board to the 10-by-24-inch board with screws.
- 6
  Measure the 2-by-4 board up from the bottom 3 1/2 inches and drill a 1/4-inch hole slightly larger than the head of the 1-inch screw.
- 7
  Measure 3 inches on one end of the 1-by-20-inch beam and make a mark with the pencil. Drill a hole through this mark and insert the pen. Drill a pilot hole into the opposite end of the beam. Insert a 1-inch screw into the hole and tighten with the screwdriver.
- 8
  Secure the 1 lb. weight to the 20-inch beam with the duct tape.
- 9
  Place the head of the screw at the end of the 20-inch beam into the hole in the 2-by-4. Align the end of the pen with top of the metal can on the dowel. Attach the wire twine to the top front of the 2-by-4 and behind the pen in the 20-inch beam.

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