Designs

[mrsteven]

does anyone know what there design was on the longer side of the tower, in the picture the short side design is shown, how about the long side?

I don't, however here's a look.

As you see on the side of the tower closely, not all material is flush and although the picture isnt wonderful, you can see partially the design. However, you cannot see all of it- but you should be capable of piecing it together...

I won't copy it if I were you- the point of SO isn't to copy but rather to discover ideas through trials and calculations yourself. (Plus with the height multiplier, you might want to make it taller and edit the design likewise to be stronger to hold the 'sway')

[Paradox21]

does anyone know what there design was on the longer side of the tower, in the picture the short side design is shown, how about the long side?

If you are trying to copy the national champion, there is much more to it than just copying the design. Even if you could see the other side, you would be hard pressed to just copy the design and get national-champion-like scores. In order for Troy's tower to win nationals, their whole tower must have been in the neighborhood of 5 grams. If you just went to a hobby shop and bought the appropriately dimensioned wood and copied the design, you would probably find that your design was much heavier and possibly failed prematurely. You have to have a very good handle on the densities and stiffness necessary for each piece- information that only the original builders are likely to have.

[nbellowe]

Hello! 2 questions. Would you guys recommend a rectangular base or a square base?

[liutony66]

Hello! 2 questions. Would you guys recommend a rectangular base or a square base?

I believe that that is only one question.

But anyways, I would recommend a square base, as those 1) tend to be stronger, as it distributes the weight onto the legs more evenly 2) weighs less (considering it needs more wood) and 3) is generally easier to build.

This is just based on my limited experience, so apologies if this is not true.

[illusionist]

2) weighs less (considering it needs more wood).

...what? A square base will weight more than a rectangle base, provided that they both have the same length.

[Littleboy]

3) is generally easier to build.

Actually, I think rectangular towers are easier to build.

[mrsteven]

3) is generally easier to build.

Actually, I think rectangular towers are easier to build.

well depends how you build it- for my jig (well, i'd have to make another jig) they would both be equally hard/easy to make. but also with that my jig is really annoying but hey what works well, works well

square v rectangle depends how you build it, whether its a sophisticated method or a more basic outlook. Even so, it depends even more so on the design and level of competitiveness you wish to be in

[lucwilder42]

Whether you build square or rectangle just depends on what you have the best results with, there's no clear better option. Troy's winning tower last year had a rectangular base, and a very close second place had a square base. Build straight and light and you'll be just fine

[maziecat23]

You don't necessarily need a jig to attach tower sides. It just requires a steady hand and lots of patience.

[thsom]

Have any of you guys come up with successful base designs that have held all 15 kg (for division C)? Light ones on top of that, roughly 2-3 grams maybe 3.5 at the most. I have had one that is 2.75 grams and holds 12 kg and that is when the tower breaks, the chimney holds all 15 kg. I have tried:
__
/ __\
/ ____\ With 2 x's in each spot covering half


3 x's equally spaced with no horizontal pieces
3 x's, one covering half and 2 coverin 1/4th of the base with no horizontal pieces

the one with 3 equally spaced has done the best holding 12 kg. And i have made them all balanced and with good wood so it isn't balsa or workmanship, it's only the design causing them to break (this is for a square based tower)