Return to Previous Lesson:Table Top Hockey Rink - Craft

Lesson Overview:

In this project you will learn how to turn two standard popsicle sticks into a table top hockey stick that can be used with a table top hockey rink. This hockey stick will be built so it can easily be used by right or left handed players.

Check out the entire "Anaheim Ducks: Light the Lamp Challenge" project on Tinkercad

Step 1: Materials

2 - Standard popsicle sticks (tongue depressors would also work)
1 - X-Acto knife or strong scissors
1 - Hot glue gun (standard Elmer's glue would also work, but will take a bit longer because of drying time)

Let's get making!

Step 2: Determine Your Stick Angle

If you examine a standard NHL hockey stick you will see there is clearly an angle between the stick and the blade. The angle at which the stick meets the blade determines the how the stick will be handled during the game and how much reach the player has with the stick.

For example, if the blade was at 90 degrees to the stick the players hand would need to be directly over the rink while too much of an angle would prevent a player from reaching all the positions on the rink.

In this step you will need to determine the length and angle of your stick blade.

In the image above you can see the first stick I created on the left and the one I am building on the right. Position the sticks as seen in the picture and try to test the angle you want the stick and blade to to meet. Once you find the location score the horizontal stick so you can trim the length of the horizontal stick to make the blade.

Note: The length of the blade in the image is between 30mm and 40mm. However, you may try different lengths and angles to customize your stick to your liking.

Step 3: Trim Your Stick Blade

In the image you can see the results of my trim.

Instructions

Once you find a blade length and angle you like, trim the horizontal stick to the proper angle to match your stick handle.
Continue to the next step.

Step 4: Cut the Blade Support Piece

Using the remaining scrap that was just trimmed, we need to create a small piece that can be placed between the two sides of the blade.

Instructions

Position the scrap so the angle from the previous trim matches the angle of the stick and mark it just short of where the rounded end of the blade starts.
Once cut, position the new piece to ensure it fits properly.
Continue to the next step.

Step 5: Cut a Second Blade

We can use the remaining scrap to create a second blade to attach to the other side of the stick. Once in position use your X-Acto knife to score and cut the second blade.

Instructions

We can use the remaining scrap to create a second blade to attach to the other side of the stick. Once in position use your X-Acto knife to score and cut the second blade. When finished with this cut you will have all the pieces required to make the stick. Now all you need to do is put it all together. Onward!
Continue to the next step.

Step 6: Assemble the Stick

With the help of a little hot glue we can quickly assemble our stick.

Instructions

Start with a small amount of glue on the original blade and attach the stick making sure to align the angles on the blade to the stick handle.
Tip: Before this next glue step you should position the blade separator to make sure you are placing glue on the correct side.
Place glue on the blade separator and attach it to the blade butting it up against the stick handle.
Finish your stick sandwich by gluing the second blade across the blade separator and the stick handle. Creating the stick in layers will add strength and stiffness to the stick.
Continue to the next step.