Buzz
Water towers, those towering reservoirs of clean water essential for supplying communities worldwide, come in varied shapes and sizes, making their workings a fascinating study. Whether it's for a miniature railway or a classroom demonstration, building a model water tower is an accessible project with the right guidance.
Steps to Follow
Constructing a Functional Model Water Tower
Procure a small plastic bottle with a screw-on cap, such as a standard soft drink or water bottle, and a larger 2-liter soda bottle or juice jug. These will serve as the primary components for your model water tower.
Before proceeding, ensure your bottles are compatible by positioning the small one inverted into the opening of the larger bottle. They should fit snugly together, and both bottles must be plastic for ease of modification.
Prepare the small bottle by removing its cap and cutting a hole in the center. It's crucial to size the hole just right—too large and it'll leak, too small and it won't accommodate the tubing. Remember, you can always enlarge it if needed.
Create a tiny vent hole in the base of the small bottle. A pin or needle should suffice, ensuring minimal visibility. This vent allows air to escape as water flows into the tower.
Now, carve a moderate opening into the side of the large bottle, large enough for both the cap and tubing to pass through comfortably. The location isn't critical, but about halfway down works well.
Thread one end of the tubing through the hole in the large bottle, ensuring it protrudes from the top. Position the large bottle sideways with the opening facing up for easier access.
Insert the tubing end into the hole on the cap, ensuring a tight fit. Secure the tubing with a binder clip placed about 2 inches away. Position the clipped end of the tubing into a bowl to collect water.
Fill the small bottle with water, then attach the cap with the tubing inserted. Screw the cap tightly onto the bottle, ensuring the tubing is submerged. Cover the small bottle's vent hole with your finger to prevent leaks.
Invert the small bottle and insert its neck into the opening of the large bottle. Your model water tower is now operational! Experiment with the binder clip to control water flow.
Constructing a Water Tower Using Popsicle Sticks
Trim the rounded edges from approximately 70 Popsicle sticks to achieve straight ends. Ensure uniformity in size across all sticks for consistency.
To ensure uniformity in cutting, align each subsequent stick with the first one cut. Let the initial Popsicle stick guide where to make cuts for the rest, ensuring all 70 sticks are of equal length.
Cut two of the shortened Popsicle sticks in half, aiming for as close to the center as possible. This will yield four smaller segments, roughly half the length of the others.
Start by applying glue to one end of a small stick segment, then affix another segment to it. Continue this process, creating a square frame with the four pieces. Imperfections can add character.
Create long sticks by aligning two larger Popsicle sticks and gluing a third stick along their length. Repeat this process three more times to produce four identical sections.
Repeat the stick alignment and gluing process three more times to fashion four identical long sections, each composed of three sticks glued together.
Attach one end of each long stick to the inner corner of the square frame, ensuring a uniform angle for the legs. Keep the angle around 10-15 degrees to prevent instability.
Connect two legs together using additional Popsicle sticks, ensuring they're level and create a seamless appearance. Spread the legs apart to accommodate the connecting sticks.
Arrange nine Popsicle sticks in a square formation and glue them together to form a sturdy platform. Ensure the connecting sticks match the length of the square to avoid overhang.
Glue the Popsicle stick platform onto the top edge of the frame, ensuring the sticks face downward. Alternatively, glue each stick individually for better alignment.
Trim the rim off a small paper Dixie cup to create a flat foundation for the water container of your tower.
Adhere the remaining Popsicle sticks to the outside of the Dixie cup, fanning them out for a realistic appearance. Ensure roughly half of each stick is glued to the cup, leaving the other half overhanging the rim.
Cover any gaps in the Popsicle sticks by adding another layer on top, aligning the edges with the bottom of the cup. This additional layer helps to conceal any visible parts of the cup.
Position the Dixie cup in the center of the platform with the open side facing up, securing it with glue around the bottom circumference. Consider adding a decorative string around the cup for added flair.
Create a ladder using two wooden dowels spaced approximately 1 inch apart. Attach small Popsicle stick sections horizontally between the dowels to form steps, repeating this process until reaching the top.
Prop the ladder against the water tower at an angle and affix it with glue. Secure another Popsicle stick section horizontally across the tips of the dowels to reinforce the attachment.
Tips
- You can either pre-cut Popsicle sticks or trim them as you work. If cutting later, glue rounded sticks first and trim afterward.
- When using a functioning water tower model, keep one end of the tubing in a bowl to catch water overflow.
Warnings
- Exercise caution with hot glue guns to prevent burns.
Things You’ll Need
Constructing a Water Tower Using Popsicle Sticks
- 70 Popsicle sticks (approx.)
- 2 wooden dowels
- Scissors
- Glue gun with glue sticks (or super glue)
- 1 small Dixie cup
Building a Working Model Water Tower
- Large plastic bottle
- Small plastic bottle (with cap)
- Flexible tubing
- Binder clip
- Bowl
