Designs

[Costarica]

I built two sides, and they are the exact same but they aren't going to fit. There is a HUGE space in between. I'm not sure how to explain it, but basically should I draw another design for the next two sides, but opposite? So that is fits like a puzzle piece? Does this make sense AT ALL?? I am so confused. Please help.

[fishman100]

I built two sides, and they are the exact same but they aren't going to fit. There is a HUGE space in between. I'm not sure how to explain it, but basically should I draw another design for the next two sides, but opposite? So that is fits like a puzzle piece? Does this make sense AT ALL?? I am so confused. Please help.

Not really. When you build your tower you want to be connecting 2 sides, not 4. Sounds like you want to build 4 sides and connect them all, which you don't want to do.

(What I mean by connecting 2 sides is basically placing your sides across from each other and then glue your cross braces to the sides that aren't connected so that you have 1 4-sided structure. Does this make sense?)

[Fossil Freak 25]

I recommend building the tower that you know will hold, and start slowly taking off weight.

[thedoctor]

What size and type of balsa wood do most towers use? (Sorry, I'm new to this event).

[Balsa Man]

I recommend building the tower that you know will hold, and start slowly taking off weight.

In theory, right-on; one of those easier said than done things. Getting to something you "know" will hold is a challenge for beginners. Being able to "know" with any reasonable certainty only comes from doing a lot of building and testing. Where, and how to go about taking off weight is also a skill that is learned over time. There is a lot of good discussion both in this year's and archived past year's posts- worth digging through.

What size and type of balsa wood do most towers use? (Sorry, I'm new to this event).

A reasonable question, but not so easy to answer. I've either seen, or heard of (reading through all the posts on towers - which you might want to do) everything from 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch oak to 1/16th x 1/16th balsa. What's used for legs, and for bracing, carries very different loads, so the answers are quite different. Again, from what I've seen, for legs, most do use balsa; some use bass. Balsa, most common is probably 1/8th x 1/8th, in a medium density (which would translate to, oh, a bit less than 2 to a bit over2.5gr/36inch stick). See some 3/32nds balsa, and bass; higher density, so, again, around that 2-2.5gr/36" range. Bracing- ladders can be (and should be) much lighter than legs- 1/8th balsa in the 0.6 - 0.8 gr/36" range; 3/32nds balsa in the 0.4 to 0.7gr/36" range. X- or Z- bracing, most common 1/16th x 1/16th medium density (~0.4-0.6gr/36")

[Littleboy]

1/2 inch x 1/2

Thats the thickest you've seen?? I have seen logs drilled out in the center for the chain to go through. I would advise not doing this

[iYOA]

did they hold all the weight? XD

[Balsa Man]

Wow, a log - wish I'd seen that one.

The oak one held. Amazing, huh?
Did see one out of pine (1/4 inch-ish) that didn't make 10kg- it was crokked as the proverbial dog's hind leg

[Costarica]

I built two sides, and they are the exact same but they aren't going to fit. There is a HUGE space in between. I'm not sure how to explain it, but basically should I draw another design for the next two sides, but opposite? So that is fits like a puzzle piece? Does this make sense AT ALL?? I am so confused. Please help.

Not really. When you build your tower you want to be connecting 2 sides, not 4. Sounds like you want to build 4 sides and connect them all, which you don't want to do.

(What I mean by connecting 2 sides is basically placing your sides across from each other and then glue your cross braces to the sides that aren't connected so that you have 1 4-sided structure. Does this make sense?)[/quo

yeah i figured that out after i posted. thank you.

[Costarica]

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.

What is the thing in the middle made of? THANK YOU!