A prize wheel, such as that used in the game show Wheel of Fortune, is a round wheel that is spun to determine what you win – or miss! You can use a gift wheel at a carnival, festival, or party, and it's super easy to make. It's not that hard to make, and this article will show you the steps. Do you feel lucky? Let's spin it!
Step
Method 1 of 5: Making the Wheel
Step 1. Find a round wooden plank
These wooden planks are available at various home supply stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Ikea, etc. There are various sizes, the right one is 90 cm in diameter. The ideal thickness is 2 cm to 2.5 cm. The hoop has to be big enough to build locomotion, but small enough to be portable.
Step 2. Mark the center point of the circle
Find the center point of the disc by drawing a thin perpendicular line along the diameter of the circle. The point of intersection is the midpoint. Install nails or screws at that point.
Step 3. On screws or nails, attach string and pencil, then use it like a large compass to draw a circle
Make a smaller circle with a distance of 2.5-5 cm from the outer edge of the circle.
Step 4. Determine the distance
First, determine the number of pie slices you want to make on your spin. For example, say you want 16 different pieces. Divide 360 (the number of degrees on the circle) by the number of pie slices (16), and record the number. In this example, the number is 22, 5. Record this number.
Step 5. Make the cut
Using your arc at its midpoint, start at the point to the left (0°) and mark it on the number you got in the previous step. In this example, it is at 22.5°. Now proceed to add that number to the number itself, and mark the numbers 45° (which is 22.5 + 22, 5), 67, 5°, 90°, 112, 5°, 135°, 157, 5°, 202, 5°, 225°, 247, 5°, 270°, 292, 5°, and 315°, 337, 5°
- Draw lines starting from the first line: connect the two marks on both sides of the baseline – – they must be 180° apart. For example, create an image to connect the points 22.5° with the points 202.5° (22.5° + 180°). Continue the line on both sides until the outermost circle you drew.
- If you wish, you can adjust the shape of the pie slices, making some larger, and some smaller. Bigger pieces will have a bigger chance of winning, and smaller pieces will have a smaller chance of winning!
Step 6. Plan the location of the stake placement
Between each line, between the circles you drew and the edges of the circle, put a mark. You can measure it if you want, but it doesn't really matter, as long as the distance between the inner and outer circles is the same all around.
Step 7. Cut the pegs
You will need as many pegs as pie slices. Make stakes that are about 5 to 7.5 cm long, and 1-2 cm in diameter.
Step 8. Make a hole using a drill
Using a drill with an appropriate size drill bit (adjusting the diameter of the dowel), drill a hole into the half of the wooden stick, around the circle.
Step 9. Glue the pegs in place
Make sure everything is securely fastened, so it doesn't fall off when you turn the wheel!
Step 10. Decorate the wheels
Color the pieces a different color, or alternating colors, or whatever color shades you like.
Step 11. Mark each piece with a specific prize
Prizes can be rag dolls, money, or even tickets to certain sporting events.
Method 2 of 5: Making Wheel Feet
Step 1. Measure the base
It should be 2.5 cm thick, and the same width as, or wider than the wheel. In our example, using a 90 cm wheel, you will need a base that is between 90-120 cm wide. Make sure it's deep enough to support the weight of the wheel (plus the power used when turning the wheel). The size range of 50 cm to 90 cm is quite good.
Step 2. Measure the wheel supports
The thickness should be 1-2 cm, and at least 30 cm longer than the diameter of the wheel. For example, for a wheel with a diameter of 90 cm, the support must be at least 120 cm, and the same width as the base.
Step 3. Draw a straight line at the bottom of the base, perpendicular to the long edge about two-thirds from one side to the other
Draw another suitable line along its top. (This counterweight will prevent the swivel wheel from slipping when you turn it hard).
- Make 4 holes with a drill using a 0.16 cm drill bit. Measure the distance between the bottom edge, the first hole and the last hole. Make the same measurements at the base of the support, and make a guide hole in that section as well.
- Apply a dot of glue along the top line, placing the supports perpendicular to the base, and using wood screws that are at least twice the thickness of the base, screw the two pieces of wood together.
- Use your drill bit to punch holes in the base to make guide holes for the center 2 holes, then insert the last two screws. Tighten all screws, then allow the base to dry for 24 hours.
Step 4. Decorate the background
Once everything is dry and firmly attached, decorate the background as you wish.
Method 3 of 5: Installing the Wheels
Step 1. Mark a point on the wheel
Make a mark at the midpoint of the support width: that is, at 60 cm, if your stand is 120 cm wide. Also, add 7.5 cm to 15 cm to the radius of the circle, and mark the distance from the top of the support. For example, if your circle measures 90 cm, make a mark 60 cm down from the top of the support (45 cm + 15 cm = 60 cm).
Put an X at the point where the two lines intersect
Step 2. Drill a hole in the center of the circle
Make sure it is large enough to fit a 1.3 cm bolt, and allow it to rotate on the bolt freely. Using the same drill bit, drill the support at the point marked with the X.
Step 3. Attach the wheels to the legs
Slide the bolt ring on the bolt, then slide the bolt into the wheel. At the back of the wheel, insert two more washers, then insert the bolts with the wheels already attached to the supports. On the back of the stand board, slip the washers on the bolts, then tighten the nuts until they are just where the wheels start to tighten, then back them down a little so that the wheels can rotate freely.
Method 4 of 5: Flap
Step 1. Make the flaps
You only need thick and strong leather. Materials from a pair of old shoes or a leather waistband can be used.
It should be 7.5 cm-12.5 cm long, and about 1/2 cm-1 cm thick
Step 2. Pinch the flaps
Make a clamp using two pieces of wood, a pair of screws and a flap of leather in between. The clamp part will be attached to the wheel foot.
Make sure the bolts are not protruding from behind the wooden stick clamp
Step 3. Attach the flaps
At the top of the wheel, about halfway between the top of the backing board and above the wheel, in the middle of the stand, drill a hole about the diameter of the flap.
Apply a little glue to the holes, and insert the flaps. Let it dry for a few hours before you can spin it
Method 5 of 5: Game Rules
The rules when playing your game help make the game more interesting and avoid disputes over who wins.
Step 1. Set the rate to play this wheel
You can determine this by calculating the cost of making the wheel and purchasing the prizes, the number of people who will play it (this can be an estimate), and the estimate of the people who will win the grand prize.
Step 2. Determine the number of times someone can play it
People sometimes “enjoy the flow” and start winning prizes time and time again. To prevent this, determine the number of times a person can turn the wheel.
Tips
- Attach pegs to the edges of each section so that the flaps stop at exactly one point. In addition, installing the rollers at the base will allow the wheels to be moved easily to various places.
- If you choose to decorate the pegs, make them in various consecutive colors, as in the Color Spectrum; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, purple.
- Decorate the wheel. Bright colors will make it look more attractive.
- Try to develop a design that creates an optical illusion when rotated. You can try making some designs on paper to see which one works.
- Provide various gifts. Provide “not only” dolls, but also money, and sporting event tickets or vouchers.
