Montessori Red Rods and Number Rods are basically the same. The only difference is that one set is all red and one set is red and blue. Since they are the same, it only stands to reason that these pieces be constructed at the same time. Basically, the pieces for both sets are between 10 cm and 100 cm with eight pieces in between that are between those lengths varying in ten centimeter intervals. Here is how I would make them.
For this, I propose one inch square dowels.
IF YOU CAN FIND A 39 INCH LONG SQUARE WOODEN DOWELS...
To start, it would be very easy to make these if you have one inch square dowels that are 39 inches long. You would simply be careful to cut exactly because you would use both parts of the cut. A whole dowel would be 10 cm. Then you would take another dowel and cut it into two pieces: 10 cm and 90 cm. You would continue by cutting the next dowel to 20 and 80 cm, then 30 and 70 cm and then 40 and 60 cm. You would need two sets of each of these. Finally, you would take the last dowel and cut it in half: 50 cm and 50 cm.
IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND CAN ONLY FIND DOWELS UP TO 36 INCHES LONG...
You will need 13 square dowels. You will cut them as follows:
- 10 cm and 80 cm
- 10 cm and 80 cm
- 20 cm and 70 cm
- 20 cm and 70 cm
- 30 cm and 60 cm
- 30 cm and 60 cm
- 40 cm and 50 cm
- 40 cm and 50 cm
- 10 cm, 10 cm and 70 cm (If you can find a shorter dowel, it would likely be a few cents less.)
- 90 cm and glue one of the 10 cm pieces to make a 100 cm piece
- 90 cm and glue one of the 10 cm pieces to make a 100 cm piece
- 90 cm
- 90 cm
Paint one set of pieces all red and paint one set red and blue, alternating every ten centimeters. Painters tape would likely be helpful.
Now, here is the cost analysis.
13 Dowels x $3.50 = $46
Plus paint
These can be cut with pipe cutters, which you can get for about $8.
It would cost you about $40 for the Red Rods and $45 for the Number Rods.
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