Send a secret message
Coded messages can be a fun way to communicate when there are secrets that you need to keep.
Follow this guide to build your own Spy Decoder Wheel and keep all those secrets safe!
Preparation
What you'll need
Makedo tools and connectors:
Scru-Driver
Safe-Saw
Scru / Scru+
Measuring devices:
Ruler & Protractor
Upcycled cardboard
Cut the decoder circles
Two sizes
Trace out the shapes of two circles onto your cardboard, and then cut them out using a Makedo Safe-Saw.
One circle should be slightly larger than the other. Try to find objects to trace that have dimensions similar to these:
Large: 28cm / 11in
Medium: 24cm / 9.5in
Tip: You can use plates or pot lids from the kitchen to help trace out the circular shapes.
Divide and label
Calculate and measure carefully
Each circle needs to be divided into 26 equal segments around the outer edge.
These will be where you write the letters of the alphabet that become your secret code.
Tip: To calculate how wide the space for each letter is, use this technique:
A circle is made up of 360 degrees. That’s like 360 tiny steps going all the way around.
We want 26 pieces, so we divide:
360 (full circle) divided by 26.The calculator says this is about 13.8, so we can use 14 degrees as our width for each piece.
Using a protractor, mark 26x 14 degree segments and label each with a letter of the alphabet.
Insert the Roto-Ring
Press at the centre
The Makedo Roto-Ring will allow your Spy Decoder Wheel to rotate smoothly.
To insert the Roto-Ring, first press firmly at the center of your wheel so that the small teeth make a mark on the surface.
Punch holes
Next, punch a hole into each of the indentations made by the Roto-Ring.
Push through
Push the tool completely through the holes you’ve made. This will make one wide hole that is just the right size for the Roto-Ring.
Insert the Roto-Ring
Rotate the tool to make one hole big enough to fit the Roto-Ring and then press the Roto-Ring into the hole you’ve just created.
Layer and connect
Align carefully
Layer your wheels and use a Scru+ to connect them through the Roto-Ring. Here we connected onto a long strip of cardboard that will fold to become a triangular stand.
Smooth rotation
The attached wheel can now rotate smoothly. This means your Spy Decoder is almost complete!
Assemble the stand
Three folds
Flip over and mark three fold lines in a long strip of cardboard.
Here you can also see the Scru poking through, this is where the two wheels have been connected through the Roto-Ring on the other side.
Fold for strength
Fold the sections into a triangle/pyramid shape to make a stable support for your Spy Decoder Wheel. Secure in place with 2x Scrus from the back.
Your Spy Decoder Wheel is now complete!
Video walkthrough
From the source...
Watch the short video below to see how this Spy Decoder Wheel was made, thanks to @Playroomstories.