Monday, November 9, 2020

DIY Roller Coaster

Build supports and track from newspaper and then put them together in your own combinations.

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By Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch

While riding a roller coaster may not be an option these days, building your own from newspaper can be. Harness the first of Newton’s laws of motion — that objects keep moving in the same direction unless something gets in the way — to create an action-packed roller coaster game.

The components are simple: Start with a base and attach support columns. While the track is the fun part, the structural supports make it all possible. Once you’ve built a sturdy support structure, add tracks and adjust as needed. Fine-tune your roller coaster with barrier walls to help the ball make a turn. Add suspenders to hold tracks in place. Remember to include a way to catch the ball at the end. Once you understand how to use the components, you are ready to build your own crazy creation.

For a ball, make one out of paper and tape or use household items like beads, peppercorns, crumpled foil or any lightweight round object. Marbles work too, but they might be too heavy. Notice the action of the object as it barrels down the tracks. As you build, remember to test, test, test and make adjustments along the way.

Possible Configurations

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Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times

A. Build Supports

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1. Use a full spread of newspaper.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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2. Fold along crease vertically.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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3. Fold along crease horizontally.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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4. Place long strip of tape.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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5. Roll loosely, secure with tape.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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6. Tape down loose edges.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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7. Cut even slits along end of cylinder.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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8. Fold flaps outward for base.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times

B. Fold The Tracks

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1. Cut newspaper spread in half vertically.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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2. Use half sheet.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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3. Fold in half vertically.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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4. Fold in half again.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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5. Place long strip of tape.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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6. Stick layers together.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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7. Fold edges up to make walls.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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8. Cut as needed.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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9. Place tape on track wall, connect it to support.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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10. Keep adding track, sloping downward.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times

C. Secure the Base

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1. Use a half or full sheet, as needed based on project sizeCredit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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2. Fold and tape paper, adjust to desired size.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times

D. Add Barrier Wall

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1. Tape section of paper to track wall as needed.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times

E. Create an Endcap

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1. Cut slits at end of last track.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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2. Fold middle upward.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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3. Fold side inward, tape to secure.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times

F. Connect a Suspender

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1. Cut a 2-inch-long strip of newspaper.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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2. Fold strip in half vertically.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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3. Tape layers together.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times
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4. Tape suspender from support to outer track wall as needed.Credit...Godwyn Morris and Paula Frisch for The New York Times


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