How to Build Your Own Propeller Stick (& Make It Spin)

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Plus, learn how to make the propeller switch directions mid-spin

Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: February 23, 2026 Fact Checked

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Using a Propeller Stick

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Making a Propeller Stick

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Video

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Things You'll Need

While scrolling TikTok, you may have come across a wooden toy that some people call a propeller stick, a magic propeller, a hui stick, or a gee-haw whammy diddle. When TikTokers rub the wand back and forth across the notches, the propeller spins. Making it spin isn't as simple as it sounds, but you can absolutely learn to do it yourself! Below, we'll explain how to make your own propeller stick and make the propeller spin so you can amaze your friends and family with "magic" (but really, it's physics)!

How does the spin stick propeller trick work?

Grip the stick in one hand and hold the wand in the other. While running the wand back and forth quickly over the notches on the stick, rub your wand hand's index finger against the side of the stick. This will make the propeller spin! To make it spin the other way, rub your thumb against the other side of the stick.

Section 1 of 2:

How to Use a Propeller Stick

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1
Hold the bottom of the propeller stick in your non-dominant hand. Grip the propeller stick at the opposite end of where the propeller sits. Position your fingers and thumb below the notches.
- For example, if you're right-handed, hold the propeller stick with your left hand.
Grip the middle of the wand with your thumb on top of the wand and your index finger on the bottom. Position the rest of your fingers so you're holding the bottom of the wand loosely.

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3
Run the wand across the notches while rubbing your thumb on one side of the stick. Rub the notches on the propeller stick vigorously with the wand in a back-and-forth motion. Simultaneously, rub the thumb on your wand hand against one side of the notches.
- This will cause the propeller to spin!
4
Rub your index finger against the stick while still moving the wand. As you continue to run the wand up and down the notches on the propeller stick, slightly move your hand holding the wand to lift your thumb off the stick. Then, on the opposite side of the notches, rub your index finger along the stick.
- The propeller should stop spinning for a moment, then start spinning again in the opposite direction!
- This TikTok by @puzzlesandmore1 shows how to make the propeller spin using the instructions above!
- How does this trick work? By rubbing your thumb or finger against the side of the propeller stick, you're adding torque, or rotational force, to the propeller. That's why the propeller must stay somewhat loose, so it can respond to torque depending on which side of the stick you apply force to.
- If you have an audience, say something when you switch between your thumb and index finger, like, "Now, spin the other way!" This makes it seem like you're commanding the propeller to rotate in the opposite direction. Your observers won't realize you're merely rubbing a different side of the stick!

Section 2 of 2:

How to Make a Propeller Stick

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Lay the dowel next to a tape measure or a ruler and make a pencil mark 2 in (5.1 cm) from the end. Cut the 2 in (5.1 cm) section off the dowel with a hand saw.^{[1]
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Make a pencil mark 6 in (15 cm) from the end of the same dowel you used in step 1, then cut it off at the mark. Sand the cut ends of the propeller and the wand with sandpaper to soften the edges.^{[2]
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Lay the dowel in front of your tape measure and draw a pencil mark 8 in (20 cm) from the end. Cut the dowel at the mark with your handsaw, then sand the cut end until the edges are rounded off and smooth.^{[3]
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Measure 1 in (2.5 cm) from the end of the propeller stick where you plan to attach the propeller. Starting at the 1 in (2.5 cm) mark, use a 6 in tapered triangle file to carve 18 shallow notches in the dowel, side-by-side in a straight line.^{[4]
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Attach the ³⁄₃₂ in (0.24 cm) drill bit to your drill and bore a hole in the exact center of the propeller. To help guide your drilling, make a pencil mark at the center of the propeller, which would be about 1 in (2.5 cm) from either end.^{[5]
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6
Attach the propeller to the propeller stick with a 1 in (2.5 cm) nail. Center the hole in the propeller over the end of the propeller stick closest to the notches you carved in step 4. Next, drive a 1 in (2.5 cm) 18-gauge nail down through the hole into the propeller stick.^{[6]
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- You'll notice when you're finished nailing the propeller to the propeller stick that the propeller feels a little loose. That's because the nail is smaller than the diameter of the hole in the propeller. That's by design! As long as the head of the nail is big enough to cover the hole and keep the propeller from flying off, it's fine if it wiggles in place.