A boomerang is a flying tool, typically made of metal or plastic, shaped like a curved V or triangle. Initially used as a hunting weapon by Indigenous Australians, it has now become a popular recreational and sporting item.
The design of a boomerang allows it to generate rotation during flight, enabling it to maintain balance and return to the thrower’s hand, hence the name “boomerang.”
Their shape and aerodynamic design generate lift during flight, allowing them to remain airborne for a period.
Here, I’m attempting to make a boomerang using popsicle sticks.
Tool: Art knife G-clamp Titebond wood
glue Ice cream (Stick Size: 150mm * 18mm * 1.6mm Qty: 72)
Cut off the rounded ends of the popsicle sticks
Arrange the cut popsicle sticks into a flat panel，Then glue them together with adhesive. Here, I am using three layers of thick flat panels.
After applying the glue, it must be pressed down with a heavy object for 24 hours to ensure maximum bonding strength.
The printed boomerang blueprint only shows half of the outline as I’ve only set half of it.
Cut the outline
Stick it to the board and draw its outline by tracing with a pen.
Begin by cutting the large piece with a hacksaw.
Then use a utility knife to cut out the outline.
Polishing the boomerang
Making the wings of the boomerang
Carefully cut the intersection, removing one layer of thickness on one side and two layers on the other.
Polish the joints to facilitate better adhesion
Apply titebond glue to bond the joints.
Tighten the joints with a G-clamp and leave them in place for 24 hours.
After one day, remove it from the G-clamp, and now it has taken on the shape of a boomerang.
Don’t get too excited just yet; a boomerang doesn’t just come back on its own. I’m a left-handed thrower, so I polished a left-handed boomerang. If you understand the principles of lift and rotation of a boomerang, you’ll know how to polish it better. Polishing for left and right hands is just a mirror image.
overall effect
The local details, without any paint, retain a nice original texture.
Testing the boomerang’s performance on the grass, it flew back successfully. However, I didn’t get the final touch right.😅 I plan to improve it further and make a boomerang with better performance. If you’re interested in the process, feel free to check out my boomerang video on YouTube and give me your feedback.
