Building the Tinker Toy Model Wind Turbine

This model is fairly easy to construct can be used as an experimental model for lab testing and comparison.  One problem with this model is that you have to use even numbers of blades if you want totally balanced spinning.

 

Step #1
Use a short tinker toy stick or cut a long one to about 2".  This will be used to secure the motorshaft in the center of the tinker toy center.

 

 

 

Step #2
Insert the stick into a tinker toy round center that has holes around the edges.  Push the stick until is flush with the other side of the tinker toy center.

 

 

 

Step #3
Take your motor (generator) and forcethe motor drive shaft into the small slit on the opposite side of the tinker toy center.  It may be hard to push, use a small nail, or drill,  to make a starter hole if needed.

 

 

 

Step #4
Now you need to attach this motor and spindle to a platform which will then be mounted to a tower. If you are building a model with gears or bands you'll probably want to mount your motor to a proper platform. If you do not plan on building a geared model you might try the basic PVC tower.

 

Step #5
Now using other tinker toy rods and homemade blades you have a windmill that creates electricity that you can adapt and test.