This was an interesting project read all about how I built this for cheap.

2. • This is my project and it is not finished yet, but I
figured I would show it to you. It can be done and
sometimes cheap. First of all we will start off with
the supplies a friend gave me. Most of them were
free. His son worked construction and he was
building a house and had lots of extra stuff left
over and he wanted to get rid of it. So I helped
him out. He gave me 30 - 8 foot 5/8 all thread
some ¾ plywood and some kitchen lights. These
are the ones that are 4 foot and recess into the
ceiling. I paid for 2 bearings and the solid steel 10
foot rod. The real money comes when you make
the generator but that’s the part that isn’t done.

3. • Let me tell you how I constructed this out of
those parts in our list above. The picture is
above so you can see it as we are going
through the steps. Step one was preparing the
plywood. We need two round circles to start
with.

4. • Trick here on how to get them both the same.
You need a table saw for this and you need to
find the center of your plywood. You should also
make the marks for the blades this is easier when
the plywood is square. If you have 6 blades you
need 6 marks should look like a pie with 6 evenly
cut pieces. The more blades the smaller the
pieces of pie. This really needs to be done right
for balance. These marks are for the positioning
of the blades so the marks need to be made on
the inside top and bottom when the project is put
together.

5. • My plywood was already 4.5 x 4.5 when I
started. Now you need to make a hole in the
table saw (I had to add extra table panel on
mine to use all the wood) about dead center
of the blade. If the hole is 2 feet from the saw
blade you should get a 4 foot round circle

6. • First take off the guard and lower the blade all
the way down. You hold it down with some all
thread or 4 to 5 inch bolt and I used a weight
from an old weight bench and some washers
and nuts. Put the plywood with the hole in it
and put the bolt with a washer down through
the weight then the plywood then the table
saw. Now put the washer and nut on. Do not
make this too tight! The idea is to roll the
plywood round and round until we get a circle.

7. • Best results you need a very good blade or
new. Warning: TAKE YOUR TIME!!!!! You just
raise the blade a little at a time. Start very
small to get a feel for it and spin the plywood
slowly. Keep your hand away from the blade
but firm on the board. Should look like this
when you’re done.

8. • Now put the two round circles together and
mark your hole for the all thread to hold the
turbine together I used 5/8 all thread.
Remember they were 8 foot so I cut them
with a chop saw and use a die to clean up the
thread. I used 4 of them. Also you need to
mark the side with a “V” so you know what is
top and bottom. If you use the V method then
you will always be able to match them. These
holes need to be fairly perfectly placed for
balance.

9. • It’s coming together now you will need nuts
on both sides to lock it in. I bolted the bottom
together first put the top on loose. I bet you
are wondering where the recessed lights come
into the turbine project. In the light there
where two nicely shaped, rounded pieces of
metal and two diffusers prefect for our blades.
You will have to work on the next part, moving
the blade around. The way I did was if you
ever saw a blower cage or look at my turbine
at the top to get an idea.

10. • Once you get where you want it then from the
marks you made you should be able to duplicate
the rest so they are all the same. I used small L
brackets and screws to hold it together. Then
tighten all the nuts up remembering about
balance. Try to get everything the same your
blades and the all thread. I started the all thread
at the very bottom of the nut (flush). When you
cut the all thread all should be the same length. If
you really want to get technical you can weigh
them. Also I doubled the nuts for security
reasons.

11. • Final thing is to get the bearings in straight. I
only used a 1 inch solid rod I am going to go 1
¼ 80 grade pipe with some stronger bearings.
I hoped you like this article and hoped the
pictures will give you some ideas on some
junk your friend might have that you could put
to use to make a wind turbine. I will keep you
informed on the rest of the project as it comes
along. Find out more about wind turbines
here.
• http://www.windturbinesprosandcons.com