How to Make a Book Float

Friday, June 14, 2013

How to Make a Book Float

While books and water don't usually mix, it is possible to make a book float on water, for a sweet surprise. Making a "book boat" requires a little effort but it results in a fabulous illusion that can serve as a neat trick, a useful movie/play prop or just something to amuse yourself with.

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Steps

1
Choose a book that has no meaning to you. The book will get wet, so it won't be useful afterward. If you don't have a spare book, check out the thrift store copies.
2
Open the book. Cut out the middle of the book's pages to make a hollow space. Cut a rectangle shape, as shown in the images.

How it should look after cutting.
3
Add buoyancy. Cut out a piece of foam or layers of cardboard to fit the area cut out of the book. Fit this item to the empty area in the book.
4
Close the book. Clamp the pages down with a portable clamp, hand clamp, or potato chip clip.
5
Dip the clamped book. Submerge half the book in melted wax or glue for 15 seconds or more.
- Take care to avoid applying too much melted wax or glue. This can make the book heavy and it won't float. A thin layer is sufficient.
6
Remove the clamp. Set the non-dipped half of the book down on a dry, clean surface, and let dry.
7
Put the clamp back on. Submerge the other half of the book, and let dry.
8
Try the boat out on water. It should sit atop the water, buoyant and flat.
- If it does not float, too much glue has been applied (see above).
9
Finished. You can now use the item to trick a friend or to be a prop in your next YouTube hit.