If you don’t have a wire hanger, you can make the axle for your pulley by propping a broomstick between 2 tables or counters instead. Secure it in place by setting a heavy object on one end of the stick.
You can buy a spool from a craft store, or you may reuse one that you already have from thread or twine.
If you plan on doing a lot of experiments with pulleys, you can tie a small metal hook to one end of the string so it’s easier to hang weights. [5] X Research source You can also use twine if you want your pulley to be slightly stronger.
Pulleys make your work easier by distributing the weight and forces across the different sides of strings. Be careful not to choose anything too heavy since it will cause the metal hanger to bend and deform.
Thicker boxes will be able to support more weight while thinner boxes are more likely to rip while you use your pulley.
You can also buy pulley wheels from your local hardware store if you don’t have any spools.
Make sure the pencils fit tightly in the sides of the boxes. If it doesn’t, use modeling clay inside the boxes to hold it in place.
You can also tie the string around the pencil before you put it in the box.
If you don’t want the paperclip to move around, you can tie a knot in the string to secure it in place.
Try using the same size weight that you used on your simple pulley so you can compare the difference between the 2 of them. Heavier weights may rip through the boxes or break the string.
Because the weight is distributed between the string and the spool, you can move the weight twice as far with the half the amount of force. You can add more spools and pencils to make lifting the weight easier.
