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LKN wrote:Because I couldn't figure out how to add a new topic, "Building Techniques" for tower building...

What is the best way you have found to attach the base and chimney of the tower? I have always been using a jig for the base, constructing the chimney, and sanding both legs until when I stack them on top of one another they are level. Sometimes the chimney legs and base legs just don't quite match up right, and sometimes a weak connection between both the chimney legs and base legs appear to be the reason for premature failure. After a few years, I have mastered the "sand-stack-level-repeat" technique, but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or other methods.

Maybe you should not try building them as separate entities? One approach would be to build a entire 'left' and 'right' side of the tower, then use some sort of jig to hold them in place while you join them together.

My bases are not always rectangular, I have them widen near the bottom of the legs to help with stability in the tower. Making two complete sides of a tower makes sense for the 5x20cm designs, but it isn't very practical for anything else.

Here is a simple jig for attaching the two sides of a tower together. First, the two side frames are built on a flat surface, then the jig is used to hold them upright while side bracings are put in place. We've been using this technique for towers, it works.

SLM,

If you are trying to build a straight-legged chimney (perpendicular to your testing surface) and have a square base, would you still use that method for the base and then for the chimney?

LKN wrote:SLM,

If you are trying to build a straight-legged chimney (perpendicular to your testing surface) and have a square base, would you still use that method for the base and then for the chimney?

With a few modifications, it may be possible to use it for your tower. But, given that your base and chimney cannot be placed on the same plane, a three dimensional jig may be more appropriate.

Never built a tower before...but i want to make one this year. How do I start? My team usually doesn't do very well, but I want to medal, or at least get top 6 at Regionals. I heard that you are supposed to get a corkboard type surface and then just start building... can someone PLEASE help? thanks a bunch.

I found a Youtube video on how to attach tower sides. You need to build a jig but the video shows you how:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOpP7cLvcdk

fishman100 wrote:I found a Youtube video on how to attach tower sides. You need to build a jig but the video shows you how:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOpP7cLvcdk

This seems really helpful-thanks. My main concern is how to build it in the first place. My school hasn't started sci oly yet this year, but I want to do really well. So I am more needing to figure out how to get the measurements, cut the wood, draw a design, put it together and everything. I don't want answers, just some guidance. thanks

costarica: looking back into the archives will help a lot, as well as browsing through the image gallery. its a good amount of reading, but you will learn a lot. it is also trial and error, you will not get it right the first time. the best thing to do is keep building, since its your first season, make a goal to build let's say at least 5 towers before regionals. goodluck

I just started building and THANK GOD for my partner who is a year older and actually knows what she is doing. First what we did is take a piece of graph paper and sketch a design on it, following the specs. Mine has two sides slanting downward with a small rectangular chimney piece on top of the slanty sides, and a piece of wood glued along the bottom for support, and with braces criss crossing, kinda like this : My tower is very different, with a smaller chimmney and longer diagonals, but the idea is the same. This came from the wikia on tower building. I suggest reading it! Then you pin the design to the board and pin wax paper over that. The next step is to gule the wood together, following the design. That is basically all that I have done so far! Hope that my explanation makes sense!