How to make an Elastic Band Roller

You need: x4 pieces of C100 square section wood 65mm long,

x2 C125 card disks, 8 drawing pins,

a W100 small wooden wheel,

a no.18 elastic band (C171),

a M245 metal washer,

a piece of 3mm wood dowel (C090) about 15cm long and a second piece about 5cm long,

a slim hook bent up from a paper clip (optional)

and a hammer (older students/adults may find they can push the drawing pins in without a hammer).

1. Here's all the parts you need to make a roller.

2. Mark out the disks with four spots as shown.

3. Carefully push through 8 drawing pins.

Don't stab yourself!

4. Gently tap the pieces of wood onto the pins.

The square section wood (C100) pieces are 65mm long.

The card disks are 80mm dia. (C125). The rubber band is a no.18. 

If you have strong fingers you may not need a hammer - just push the wood onto the drawing pins.

5. Try to 'aim' the pins into the centre of each stick.

6. Carefully tap on the second disk.

7. The completed roller frame.

8. Check that it rolls easily.

Alternatively you could use a glue gun.

PVA could be used but weigh down the frame with a book and leave for 30 minutes to dry.

9. Slip the elastic band onto a paperclip hook.....

 .....and use it to thread it through the holes in the card disks.

10. Secure one end of the band with the short piece of dowel.

11. Now slide the metal washer down over the hook and rubber band.

12. Next slide the wooden wheel down the hook..... and pull the band through it as shown.

13. Slip the long piece of dowel through the band and remove the hook.

  The roller is finished!      

Nimble fingers may find they can manage without a hook.

14. Hold the non-driven side with one hand and turn the long stick with your other hand. The roller can be 'wound-up' about 60 turns without the band snapping.

It should travel the length of a school hall!

Colour-in each wood spacer and watch the colours mix as it rolls!

Try different sizes of disk (e.g.C123 or C127) and different lengths of square section wood.

A classpack is available to make x30 rollers, details here.