How to Make a Overshot Water Wheel

Make the top of the legs for the waterwheel frame. Cut four 6-inch lengths and four 12-inch lengths from the 1/2-inch PVC. Glue one 4-inch piece into one end of the elbow and the other end into a 45 degree tee, so that the tee is pointing up. Glue another 4-inch piece into another 45 degree tee and dry fit to elbow. Cut two, equal small pieces of PVC pipe to connect one tee to the tee sections of the 45 degree tees, ensuring the 90 degree tee is positioned parallel to the ground when the legs are upright. Repeat for the other set of legs.

Complete the waterwheel frame. Glue the 12-inch lengths of PVC to the 45-degree tees to complete the four legs. Cut a 6-inch length of 1/2-inch PVC. This will eventually connect the two sets of legs.

Build the body of the waterwheel. Cut two 8-inch circles from the plywood. In the center of each circle, cut another circle slightly larger than the outer diameter of the 1/2-inch pipe, paint it and let it dry completely. Glue the circles to the ends of the 6-inch PVC pipe.

Build the vanes of the waterwheel. Cut 14 4-inch by 2-inch rectangles of plywood. Equally space these vanes between the exterior circles of plywood on the waterwheel. Angle each piece at an approximate 30 degree angle and glue into place around the section of pipe.

Insert the 6-inch section of 1/2-inch pipe through the holes you cut into the plywood circles on the waterwheel and ensure the wheel turns freely. Glue the ends of the pipe into the tees of the leg sections. Place the waterwheel so that the vanes are angled up and toward the watersource, for proper operation.