A STEM Project: A Mechanical Cartoon Hand Extender or Clapper

A Mechanical Cartoon Hand Extender or Clapper

When the hand is fully extended, it is 18 inches long.  

As a child, I remember seeing a cartoon with these hand extenders and I thought it would be fun to replicate them. This clapper consists of a scissor action mechanism which extends the hands by pulling the handle together. To retract the hand, pull the handle apart.

Here is the PDF.   I used 65 lb. cardstock and Silhouette brand chipboard. Seven regular sized brads are needed to make this hand extender. I purchased them at Walmart.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1plVG9WbcvFoXR0CwQCSGUPKS6YaLke_4/view?usp=sharing

Here is the .Studio file. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1itsxlRuH8__a2WDNBdL1RxYsyi4RvihT/view?usp=sharing

Here is the SVG.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KbeJLRejqZrscgafzfwj2-fQWaTyKmTy/view?usp=sharing

Layout the handle and slit arm as above.

Glue them together to sandwich the chipboard.

Layout the arm as above.

Glue them together to sandwich the chipboard.

Layout the hands as above. Make sure that the corresponding pieces match as there is a right and wrong way because there is a thumb.

Glue them together to sandwich the chipboard. Layout the corresponding gloves.

Glue the gloves on the hand. Wrap the band around the piece, bend the tab and apply glue to the tab as shown on the right to form a circular cuff.

Attach to the other side to make the circular cuff. Repeat for the other hand.

Layer the handle pieces as shown above.  The left piece is on top of the right piece. Attach a brad to the hole in the middle.

Layer an arm piece. The left piece is on top of the right piece. Attach a brad the the hole in the middle. Attach a brad to both sides of the arm at the bottom.  Again, the left piece is on top of the right piece.

Layer slit arm. The left piece is on top of the right piece. Attach a brad the the hole in the middle. Attach a brad to both sides of the arm at the bottom.  Again, the left piece is on top of the right piece.

Slide the hand assembly onto the slit arm on both sides.

Completed Mechanical Cartoon Hand Extender or Clapper

Please note:  The extended hand does bend because the chipboard is not sturdy enough.  I recommend another layer or two of chipboard if you think it bends too much.  However the slit in the hand would need to be expanded to accommodate the added thickness.