Boomerang Dave's Boomerang Journal

I thought it might be good to give a bit of background on Ian's project. This really started way back around Christmas when Ian asked me to be his mentor for the project. Since the project was about boomerangs, I felt qualified to help and agreed. I had to sign all kinds of forms and permission papers. Ian also had to get a teacher to sponsor the project and instead of going to his art or phys ed teacher, he went to his physics teacher. I guess the science aspect of this project is too much to resist.

Once Ian got school approval, we started laying the ground work. I provide Ian with reading material but Ian took on the daunting task of going through Pierre' s database and selection possible plans. Ian and I exchanged a number of emails regarding his selections before he finally narrowed his selections to the following four plans: Australijski, AR_rued1_2mmgfk, Batrang and Flyingnote. Ian set to work at designing a boomerang using lightning bolts, a design that morphed from a three blade to a four blade. I thought the Australijski allowed him to pursue the artistic part of making boomerangs by providing a simple canvas. The Batrang I was originally worried about because of its many points, but I think we will do fine with it. I also though about making it in 4mm plywood rather than the larger version in 5mm. The larger one won out in the end. The AR_rued1_2mmgfk was a bit of a brain teaser until I figured out how it got named. I am guessing the "AR" stands for Australian Round, the "2mmgfk" is the thickness and material and the "rued" is part of the designers name. I have some G10 material but thought that for a first timer we needed to stick with plywood. We "guesstimated " a radius of 5.5 inches and used 4mm plywood.

Since Independence Day just passed, Ian thought about a boomerang that used a sparkler to light the night sky. I suggested he contact Bob Burwell, who I knew had experience with this type of boomerang. Bob sent Ian photos not only of the sparkler fitted boomerang, but also suggested alternates such as LED and cyclume light sticks. I don't know where we will go with that part of the project but time will tell. I haven't told Ian about trying to use "blinkies" yet. Blinkies are those crazy flashing lights you see in stores as pins and such. I think we could easily mount a couple in a boomerang for an exciting effect. Check out the night boomerang photos in the gallery at: http://journal.rcn.net/boomerangdave/gallery/226/

Thanks to those who posted comments, both Ian and I appreciate them and hope you will continue to post as we work our way through the project.

Dave
 
Photo: Ian with a few cut out blanks ready to sand.