Building stick bridges can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Each project is an exercise in patience and determination that should never be taken lightly. If you’re thinking of building a toothpick bridge for the first time, there are a few things to know before proceeding.
One of the tips for building toothpick bridges is to have good materials. You’ll obviously need toothpicks, and they need to be good flat toothpicks to ensure your bridge is strong. To test the strength of a toothpick, rotate it between your thumb and forefinger while applying pressure. Any toothpick that bends or breaks easily should be dropped from your equations.
Once you’ve figured out your basic materials (good toothpicks, strong glue), a good plan is essential to successfully completing your toothpick bridge build. Draw a diagram of the end result you want. If you are using a picture of an actual bridge, now is the time to turn it into a schematic diagram. Naturally, the diagram must be scaled taking into account the final result. Doing so will ensure you have something to refer to and you won’t be working blindly.
When building stick bridges, patience and perseverance are the keys to building a lasting structure. You can work slowly, but make sure you work steadily. Don’t put off building too long if you have a deadline because the glue needs to dry completely. You can’t rush the gluing process either; it’s best to let the thin layer of glue get a bit tacky before putting in the next toothpick. Don’t be afraid to try different ideas in the course of building, either. However, don’t waste time on concepts that obviously won’t work.
Building toothpick bridges may seem difficult at first, but it can be addicting once you’ve learned the basics.