SET UP.
A
C
G
E
J
F
I
L
K
H
B
D
MATERIALS
[A] Heavy paper, card
stock, or scrap cardboard
[B] ¼" plywood scrap
about the same size as one
side of the wooden box [L]
[C] Wood glue or cyano-acrylate gel glue or other
good permanent glue for
wood and plastic
[D] AA alkaline
batteries ( 4)
[E] 4xAA battery holder
Digi-Key #BH24AAW-ND
(
digikey.com) or RadioShack
#270-391 (
radioshack.com)
Photograph by Ed Troxell
[F] Insulated solid-core
wire, 24-gauge, different
colors Scavenge from dead
telephone cable, Ethernet
cables, thermostat wire,
intercom cable, and anything
with tiny colored wires. You
can’t have too many different
colors of wire.
[G] Insulated, stranded
hookup wire, 22-gauge
or thereabouts
[H] Gearmotor part
#GM2 from Solarbotics
(
solarbotics.com) or
#SBGM2 from the Maker-Shed (
makershed.com).
You can also use a standard
R/C servomotor modified
to ignore signal input and
allow for continuous rotation,
if it doesn’t already. See
makezine.com/23/
uselessmachine for sources
and instructions. A GM2 is
less expensive, but if you
have an extra servomotor
already, the mods are easy.
[I] Gearmotor mount
and mounting bracket
Solarbotics #GMW and
#GMB28, if you’re using
the GM2 gearmotor.
[J] DPDT toggle switch
Digi-Key #EG2407-ND,
RadioShack #275-636,
or salvage this and the
micro switch from common
electronics.
[K] SPDT lever micro
switch Digi-Key #EG4544-
ND or RadioShack #275-016
[L] Small wooden box
with lid large enough to
fit the battery pack, motor,
and arm in resting position
(down). The one I used was
purchased at a Dollar Giant
store. If your lid isn’t hinged,
you’ll also need some small
hinges.
TOOLS
Table saw or handsaw
Miter box (optional)
but helpful for handsaw
straight cuts
Jigsaw, coping saw, or
scroll saw or other saw
that can cut curved wooden
pieces
Pencil and eraser
Ruler
Scissors
File and sandpaper
Drill and drill bits:
5", ¼"
Small screwdriver for hinge
and motor mounting screws
Soldering iron
Wire strippers
Side cutter
Hobby knife
Glue gun and hot glue
97 Make:
