This video has some excellent toothpick bridges. These bridges hold an incredible amount of weight before they break. You get to see it all on video. Take a look at the design concepts. Do you notice any trends?

Garrett’s Note:
I am not sure why the author called this a toothpick bridge, as it looks more like Balsa wood. The author did not not give any information about this bridge, which is unfortunate. I would have like to known about why he chose this design, and what the bridge was trying to accomplish.

I just completed a new toothpick bridge that’s quite different than my last one. It’s an arch made from curved trusses, formed once again with toothpicks and wood glue. This one won’t be tested either (sorry!) because it was made for a friend who creates custom action figure dioramas. But I designed the bridge to have the highest ratio of maximum load to bridge weight and some ad hoc tests made me pretty optimistic.

The bridge is 24 inches long, 4.5 inches wide and 2.75 inches tall at the top of the arch.

I feel like I cheated a bit because I used split bamboo skewers to connect the two curved trusses. I wasn’t really following any rules, but if I had more time I would have liked to do all of the crossbars and supports out of toothpicks. There are more pictures from different angles on my photostream, at http://www.flickr.com/photos/razokylava/

I just finished this bridge a few days ago after working on it on and off for 3 months. It’s a cable stayed bridge design made with standard round toothpicks and wood glue.

The bridge is 31 inches long and just under 20 inches tall. The main road truss is 2 inches by 2 inches, constructed of beams of laminated toothpicks (3×3) and held together by individual toothpicks in a triangular truss pattern. The towers were constructed of laminated toothpick beams as well, but thicker (4×4). Then the suspension was created with 4 strands of thick string wound back and forth across the top of the towers.

I didn’t make this for any particular occasion or contest; I just wanted to see if I could make a sturdy suspension bridge. I’ve built a toothpick bridge before. It won a contest by supporting 350 lbs. over a two foot span, but obviously it was destroyed in the process. I don’t plan on testing this one, although I imagine that someday my curiosity will probably get the better of me. Besides, I really don’t think this bridge will hold nearly that much weight. I’d love any comments or pointers you guys might have. Enjoy!

There are a few more pictures of this bridge (higher resolution too) on my Flickr photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/razokylava/ I’d love any comments or pointers you guys might have. Enjoy!

I have begun working on my toothpick bridge, and it is easier than I thought. Building is so much more easier when someone else has done the design work for you .

If you are in need of direction on how to build a toothpick bridge, I strongly suggest you check out Toothpick Design. You can find tips as well as the kit.

This is a Japanese toothpick bridge contest. You will find tips on how to make them, as well as pictures.
Toothpick Bridge Building Contest

Here is a father who’s son made a toothpick bridge. He discusses how to design and build a toothpick bridge, and also has good photos.
The Toothpick Bridge

A teachers website about toothpick bridges. Includes sample plans.
WCHS Bridges

This is a toothpick bridge building competition. Includes tips and pictures. Hey, you can even get paid
Toothpick Bridge Competition