This was my first go at a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). I've made a 'Mk2' now that you can find here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:948401

These caught my interest when I saw one and realised that I couldn't explain why it worked.

I wouldn't recommend that anyone prints it as it uses a heap of plastic and there's about a dozen things that I wished that is done differently. On top of that there's been no wind so I haven't a clue whether it works!

I'm in the middle of designing the "Mk2" which will have a fair bit more thought go into it. Once I get this bit going I'll start having a think about what I can get it to do.

I really wish there was a bit of wind at the moment; I'd quite like to see if it spins.

The print was done in two halves that were aligned with dowels and glued (thought the alignment didn't work as well as I'd hoped.

I haven't given much thought to the mounting yet. This just uses a couple of roller-blade bearings push-fit into the mount which itself sits in the hole in the base / top.