How Affordable is Building Your Own Hovercraft?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and cost of building a hovercraft, exploring various methods, materials, and propulsion systems. Participants share their experiences, ideas, and resources related to DIY hovercraft construction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a potential cost of around $150 for building a hovercraft using used components and a new propelling system.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of centering the mass and using robust materials for the skirt, suggesting that hovercrafts do not require large engines to float.
  • There is a suggestion to use two small engines for propulsion to allow for better maneuverability.
  • One participant proposes using a leaf blower as a power source for individual hovering.
  • Another mentions that a vacuum cleaner motor could also provide sufficient power for hovering, with a plan capable of holding up to 250 lbs.
  • A question is raised about the feasibility of using home fans for propulsion and steering, with concerns about their power output.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of fans compared to more powerful motors, discussing the power requirements for lifting the craft.
  • One participant notes that propellers are more powerful than plastic fan blades and suggests that a small gas engine could provide adequate power for the hovercraft.
  • There is a mention of the high costs of commercial hovercraft kits compared to the DIY approach, with one participant finding beginner kits priced between $500-$600.
  • A suggestion is made to consider building a land speeder as an alternative project.
  • Another participant humorously proposes using an inflatable bed as a frame for the hovercraft.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of ideas and methods for building hovercrafts, with no clear consensus on the best approach or the effectiveness of various power sources. Disagreements exist regarding the power requirements and feasibility of using household fans versus more powerful engines.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various assumptions about power requirements, material choices, and design considerations without resolving the technical details or effectiveness of the proposed methods.

Nicool003
I have wanted to build one quite a few times and one ofmy friends showed me a good website and it is a $50.00 one if you buy used components and it looks pretty good but we would have to set up our own propelling system because it moves pretty slow can't remember the exact speed... So all in all it would cost maybe $150.00 with some new components and a new propelling system. Is anyone else into these things? I found a good website for them but they cost thousands of dollars...
 
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The center of mass should be centerred on the platform. The skirt should be of contructed of robust materials.
The theory is fairly simple and hovercrafts do not require large engines just to float. Inflate the skirt to sufficient pressure then blow air into the cavity formed also at sufficient pressure. This engine should always run at the same RPM and might require some tweaking to get it hoverring safely.

Once all of that is done, propulsion is up to you. My preferred method would be to have 2 small engines on each side of the craft. That way turning can be done on the spot. You do not want to be driving a hovercraft like a rally car, you will hit something at great speeds or have one side dip down low enough to catch the ground.

I remember watching an episode of junkward wars where they built hovercrafts for single riders. They both worked and managed to achieve rather good speeds.
 
Wow you seem interested. Is this speculation or do you have one or are you expecting to get one?
(or build one)
 
AFAIK, the faster way to build one is to ask your neighboor for his leafblower... that is power enough for an individual hovering. Check google.
 
Yes that is one way. They also say an old or used (or you could even buy a new one) vacuum cleaner motor could give enough power for individual hovering. One of the plan I looked at could hold up to 250 lbs ( I believe it was it might have been 200)
 
Originally posted by emu


Once all of that is done, propulsion is up to you. My preferred method would be to have 2 small engines on each side of the craft. That way turning can be done on the spot. You do not want to be driving a hovercraft like a rally car, you will hit something at great speeds or have one side dip down low enough to catch the ground.

Could you use 2 rotating fans used in the home to propell and steer the craft?
 
Well I think it would be possible but it wouldn't proppel you very fast. The two combined could but if you are using one to propel you and the other to decide your direction you would be moving slow. If you had them pointing in the same direction at all times then I suppose that could work but I am not a professional.
 
yeah well I'm no expert either. So that doesn't get us very far does it. :frown:
 
No but I have a strong feeling I am right. Think about it. Those fans aren't very powerful and if you include the hovercraft and your weight it could have to move anything from oh say 250 lbs up.
 
  • #10
Consider this, 650 watts= 1HP.
A 100 watt fan has less power consumption than a 1/6 HP motor. This is not a lot of power.

Besides, propellers are much more powerful than plastic fan blades. A decent gas motor, maybe a small engine from a dirtbike, should have more than enough power to lift the craft off the ground. A second motor of about the same size would be needed to get to speeds over 20 mph. Now you have the mass of the craft, rider and 2 motors to conted with. Although a Shop-Vac, some plywood and some plastic and you can have a human hockey puck. Bring the shop vac on the craft with the rider. This type of craft probably could be propelled by a strong fan(the 3 footers you sometimes see in gyms and the likes) to breakneck speeds. Need I emphasize you really can break your neck if the craft suddenly decelerates. There are no airbags or seatbelts. Hmmm, no airbag eh?


Damn, I feel like building one myself. Too bad good propellers can't be had for cheap.
 
  • #11
I have looked at many many websites and I found three good ones. Zeth and I use two of the same he sent me a third and I sent him a third... Well anyways I found some very good ones. If you go to universal hovercrafts (www.hovercrafts.com) they are far too expensive. The beginner set alone is 500-600 which I think is too expensive when you can build your own for probably $50-$100. And if you look at universal hovercrafts advanced and intermediate suggestions they get into the thousands. But I still like looking at that site
 
  • #12
Hows about building a land speeder??
Check out, http://www.se-technology.com/wig/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
pretty cool! And Kleinjahr it's good to see you!
 
  • #14
restform

An inflatable bed such as the "Restform" could be a way to get the frame. Just pop some holes under, and plug the engine :-)
 

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