AirVase II - Floating Impossible Triangle Vase

I was inspired by the Penrose Triangle which is a 2D illusion of a seemingly 3D impossible triangle. Then, I took it up a notch and made it more impossible by making it into a seemingly impossible vase using a tensegrity construction technique. Tensegrity (tensional integrity) is a balance between elements under compression and tension to give the illusion of an impossible "floating" object. [Is it possible that I used my allotment of the use of impossible in a paragraph?]

BTW, I thought this ible was going to be easy then it got hard until I solved how to attached the outer lines - but hey that's why it's fun to do instructables. So hope my learnings make your build easier.

Supplies

3 Different Types (or colors) of Wood. I used Maple, African Mahogany, and Bocote

Dark Veneer Strips

Metal Rods (or you could use wood)

Fishing Line

20G Wire

Crimp Beads

CA Glue

Tools: Table saw, bench sander, drill, small needle nose pliers

Step 1: Cut Wood Strips & Glue Up

All wood pieces were cut to a 10mm x 20mm rectangle strip around 12 inches long. Then, they were cut at 60 degrees on a table saw miter sled. You can make the impossible triangle any size you want and just size the outer edges to length. My triangle was 45mm for inner triangle and 58mm for outer triangle. The small edge pieces were cut larger than needed then trimmed. I added a dark veneer strip between then segments to help create the 3D effect.

Step 2: Sand to Perfect the Shape

If you have a bench sander, it makes easy work to flatten the triangle's top and bottom and the 3 edges. It doesn't take too long if done by hand. Finally, you'll need to sand the triangle points a bit flat to aid in the 3D illusion.

Step 3: Split the Triangle

I made the triangle thicker so I could cut it half on the table saw to save time (1 for 2). (Be very carful do the splitting or use a bandsaw!) In the future, Next time, I'll make even longer and slice segments off like a meat slicer.

Step 4: Prep Triangle for Tensegrity Assembly

To build the tensegrity structure you need to drill into one of the triangle edges at an angle to hold the metal rods. Basically, you pick an angle that looks right for your design in such a way the rod's middle end points align in the middle of your sculpture. (I used 12 degrees). Also, I used TIG welding rods for my sculpture and hammered the ends flat so I could drill a small hole to feed the center fishing line. (Step coming up).

Step 5: Add Anchor Points for Fishing Line

Anchor points are needed to counteract the rods that are in compression with tension around the triangle edge. Here, I used 20G wire to create anchors to fit into small holes drilled around the triangle to balance the load. Then, I cut fishing line around 9 inches so I could trim to the final length. At the end of the line, I created a loop and then used a crimp bead to lock it in. I then attached these to the anchor points and CA glued the anchors in. Be careful not to have the fishing line glue to the anchor since the lines needs to move freely. I then, decided on the height of the vase which was around 6 inches for me.

Key Step: Now cut each end of the 9 in fishing line to all be exactly the same or the vase will look tilted. I pondered on how to do this step to make it as easy as possible to create a perfectly flat vase. I was going to drill into the top and bottom of the triangle but I didn't want to see those holes.

Once you have your 3 lines the right size, create crimp loops like you did above and then attached to the top anchor and glue in to the top triangle.

Step 6: Final Step - Center Line

This can be a bit tricky but the way I did it was to create a double knot on one of the fishing line and fish it thru the lower rod drill hole and then thru the top rod and pull very tight to make the structure fully stable. Now use a black maker to mark the top of where the line exits the top rod. Next relax the structure and tie a double knot to the exact point of you mark. (very important or the structure will collapse).

Once this last step is done, you just gentle move the 2 pieces together and they will snap in place magically and be very stable.

I call mine sculpture an AirVase since I put Air Plants in them :-) In a previous ible I made a round one and used magnets as the center compression force.

This sculpture is not as hard as you think and a very fun to make for a unique gift to give.

Good Luck