Make a Boomerang

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If successful, after you make a boomerang it will look something like this.
If successful, after you make a boomerang it will look something like this.
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[2] File away the undercuts from the bottom leading edge of each wing.
[2] File away the undercuts from the bottom leading edge of each wing.
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[3] arefully rasp the designated areas. The middle section should be a uniform curve.
[3] arefully rasp the designated areas. The middle section should be a uniform curve.
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[1] Mark rasping lines on the blank.
[1] Mark rasping lines on the blank.
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[4] A cross-section of the arms should have more the shape of an airfoil and taper to a 1/8
[4] A cross-section of the arms should have more the shape of an airfoil and taper to a 1/8" edge.
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[5] You could also use a file.
[5] You could also use a file.
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[6] After finishing one arm start on the other.
[6] After finishing one arm start on the other.
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Diagram shows the design and dimensions of Herb Smith's
Diagram shows the design and dimensions of Herb Smith's "Gem" boomerang.
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[7] Sand the boomerang smooth and apply several coats of clear lacquer. If you want you can add designs between the sanding and lacquering stages.
[7] Sand the boomerang smooth and apply several coats of clear lacquer. If you want you can add designs between the sanding and lacquering stages.

A good many folks (including a number of MOTHER EARTH NEWS’ staffers) found that the article “Making and Throwing a Boomerang” really sparked an enthusiasm for the traditional Australian sporting implements. (As you may know, return boomerangs are not–except in the most unusual instances–used as weapons. The heavier nonreturning hunting stick–or
kylie–serves that purpose.)

Well, as a result of your (and our) curiosity, we set out to find a good, reliable, do-it-yourself plans to make a boomerang. And, after turning out a number of fliers based on the “Gem” design (without a failure yet), we think that–when good quality, 1/4″ five-ply plywood is used–it is about as foolproof as a boomerang pattern can be. (In the interest of economy, our readers may want to reproduce the returner in 1/4″ masonite before making one from the more expensive material. The less costly boomerang should fly almost as well, but will be a good bit less sturdy.)

The Homing Instinct

To begin, draw a pattern–full size–on a sheet of stiff cardboard. (This design described here will produce a right-handed boomerang. Southpaws can simply make a mirror image of the plan, shifting the leading and trailing edges accordingly.) Once you’re satisfied that the template is reasonably symmetrical and pleasing, check your wood for warps and–if any exist–lay out the pattern in such a way that the finished boomerang’s top (rounded) surface will be formed by the concave warp of the wood (that is, the wings of the finished flier should either be absolutely level or turn up slightly at the tips).

With your boomerang-to-be traced on the board, you can cut out the pattern, using a jigsaw or scroll saw (a “finish” blade will leave much smoother edges). Then use coarse sandpaper to remove a small wedge-shaped portion from the bottom of the leading edge of each wing (this is the only shaping that will be done to the underside
of the boomerang).

  • Published on Sep 1, 1981
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