Watched the popular game show Wheel of fortune? It looks like a lot of fun. You go there, spin the wheel and go back home with your life completely changed. It seems like a fantasy from afar, and for most people, it is. Even so, spin the wheel games are popular. They might not promise thousands of dollars in winnings, but they are lots of fun.
You can have your spin the wheel game at home or work for the fun of it. Or you could include prizes that might impact someone’s life. And for that, you need a prize wheel. You could get a custom-made spin wheel or make one yourself. Here is how to make a DIY prize wheel.
Cut or purchase a round piece of plywood.
You will decide the size of the prize wheel depending on the occasion and how many people will participate. However, it should be big enough to create momentum and not too big that you can’t carry it around. If you cut the round yourself, you need power tools to make the process easier.
Smooth the surface
The round will probably be rough and will need sanding. This you can do by hand using sanding paper. Alternatively, you could use a powered sander for a faster and smoother finish. Also, upstand with coarse grit and then move to a finer grit to make it smooth enough for painting.
Measure and mark the sections
Before painting the round, you can section it into different wedge segments. Because this is a circle, a protractor will help you get accurate measurements. And the segments don’t all have to be the same size. You could make some bigger for bigger chances of winning and smaller ones for slimmer chances.
Drill holes for nails
A prize wheel is not complete without the spinner. Therefore, you need to create holes for the spinner nails. You won’t add the nail yet, but you need to have the holes in place. Use drill bits to make a hole that goes a third of the way into the wood. Then you will screw the wheel to the base and make sure it goes around.
Decorate the wheel
Choose a theme that suits your fancy and the event. Then you will alternate colors to differentiate the different segments. Also, use masking tape to make it easier to paint within the segment boundaries. With that done, the only thing remaining is to make each section with different prizes. Depending on the prizes, you might want to include a symbol and a number for each segment.
Finally, it is possible to create a prize wheel. You will need a few power tools and materials, but you can do it with a few hours on your hands. The round will probably be rough and will need sanding. This you can do by hand using sanding paper. Alternatively, you could use a powered sander for a faster and smoother finish. Also, upstand with coarse grit and then move to a finer grit to make it smooth enough for painting. Alternatively, you could purchase a more professional spin wheel, especially for trade shows or work events. They can be customized to include your specifications and can be made to your preferred size.