How To Build a Mini Hovercraft

  • May 22, 2009
  • 16,882 Views

ninjagoldfish from Andrew Putschoegl (and 3 others)

Howcast Original
Please install Flash

With a few items found in almost any desk or tool drawer, you can make your very own mini hovercraft capable of gliding over any flat surface.

You Will Need

  • A spill-proof sports cap from a plastic water bottle or sports-drink bottle
  • An old CD
  • Super glue
  • Duct tape
  • A balloon
  • Plastic lid or Styrofoam plate (optional)
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Colored markers or stickers for decorating (optional)
How To Build a Mini Hovercraft: Glue cap to CD

Step 1: Glue cap to CD

Take off and discard the protective cover and close the pop-top. Then, glue the bottom of the plastic water cap over the hole in the CD. Wait for the glue to dry. If the bottom of the cap doesn’t completely cover the hole in the CD, put duct tape over the open part of the hole.

The lid from a circular plastic tub of butter substitute or whipped topping, or a Styrofoam plate with a hole cut out in the center can also serve as a base in place of a CD. Cut the hole so the bottle-cap bottom just fits over it.

How To Build a Mini Hovercraft: Inflate balloon

Step 2: Inflate balloon

Blow up the balloon, and twist the end around your finger to prevent air from escaping.

How To Build a Mini Hovercraft: Attach balloon

Step 3: Attach balloon

Attach the balloon’s opening over the top of the bottle cap. Make sure the cap is pushed down, creating an airtight seal with the balloon.

How To Build a Mini Hovercraft: Release air

Step 4: Release air

Place the CD on a flat surface and pull open the pop-top on the bottle cap. The air cushion from the balloon will allow the CD to hover and glide around.

How To Build a Mini Hovercraft: Experiment

Step 5: Experiment

Once the balloon deflates, remove it from the bottle cap and blow it up again for another run. Experiment with different-size balloons, and try your hovercraft on various surfaces, including a still body of water.

A Time magazine article from 1966 predicted cars would eventually be replaced with personal hovercraft by the year 2000.

Something wrong?

Report This How-To

Cancel

Comments (6)

jimmy

it'd be cool if people could upload videos of themselves trying this...

over 2 years ago by jimmy

Reply
dogtide

nice video, well done.

over 2 years ago by dogtide

Reply
kpfingaz

still waiting for my personal hovercraft....its 2009 already

over 2 years ago by kpfingaz

Reply
ninjagoldfish

Seriously. I'm thinking maybe some of the funds headed to GM should go to make this a reality... who's with me?

over 2 years ago by ninjagoldfish

Reply
Qrious

that clock in 00:35's cool

about 1 year ago by Qrious

Reply
Alan_Patsakham

did it. its so awesome

6 months ago by Alan_Patsakham

Reply

or to post a comment. Or, sign in using your Facebook to comment
and share your activity with your friends

Video is in Useful Videos (792 videos)

How To Master Online Career Networking Easy Steps

How To Master Online Career Networking

Now Playing (400 of 792): How To Build a Mini Hovercraft

How To Ace a Telephone Interview and Get the Job Easy Steps

How To Ace a Telephone Interview and Get the Job

How To Run in Hot Weather Easy Steps

How To Run in Hot Weather

open/close
© 2012 Howcast Media, Inc