One of the most popular boats at the Maker Faire Tinker Challenge was the submarine. Since the submarine is also the powerplant for many boat designs, we offer here, for your tinkering pleasure, the step-by-step instructions on how to make a submarine from recylced materials and a few simple tools.

Step 1. Collect your materials and tools. You’ll need: scissors, wire cutters (don’t be tempted to use your scissors – that’s just asking for trouble), pliers (for bending wire), utility knife (although it may be possible to do the cutting with your scissors – mine just don’t have a sharp enough point), a rubber band (make sure it’s at least big enough to stretch the length of the bottle), a piece of stiff wire, and a juice bottle.

Step 2. Make a hole for the propeller shaft. Using the point of the utility knife, drill a hole in the center of the cap. This takes a little bit of practice, so don’t feel like you have to rush. Place the point of the knife where you want to make the hole, then lay the thumb of the same hand that is holding the knife on the flat side of the blade – this will help you brace the knife and give you a better “feel” for the work. Now, while applying light pressure, twist the knife back and forth. Don’t press too hard, just enough to get the point to “bite.”

As soon as the point comes through the cap, turn the cap over and widen it from that side as well. Remember, the hole is for the propeller shaft, so it only needs to big enough to poke the wire through.

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