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Posts with tag Motor

Bristlebot - make a toy robot from the head of a toothbrush



If you've ever had the chance to play with a vibrating robot toy, you'll understand just how fun they can be. Most of the ones I've seen are of the wind-up variety, typically with long metal lets and rubber feet. They tend to be noisy, bouncy, and definitely unpredictable.

While I've played with various different versions of these wind-up toys for hours, I never really considered that I might be able to actually make one of my own. I certainly didn't think I could make one that is not only just as neat, but a significant upgrade.

Imagine my surprise when I happened across this article explaining how to make a battery-powered vibrating robot toy out of the head of a toothbrush! With the right supplies on hand (including an appropriate toothbrush, pager motor, and watch battery) this project can be completed in about five minutes.

It's really worth watching the video to see just what this little critter can do. I imagine it would enthrall my children, but even more fun would be to watch my uncle's cat go crazy trying to figure out just what this thing is!

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Homopolar Motor for your Valentine



If you are looking to give your special someone a gift on Valentines Day that is unique and can't be bought in stores, look no further! This project is based on the Homopolar Motor, it can be built in a few minutes and will cost you less than a dollar in parts but the results are quite impressive. Chances are you already have everything needed in a few drawers in your house.

Items you will need:
  • AA Battery
  • 10 Gauge wire (thinner wire will also work fine)
  • Magnet
  • Pliers to cut and form the wire

Continue reading Homopolar Motor for your Valentine

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Restore your vacuum's suction


I just spent $16 on a used upright vacuum cleaner. Right now it sucks up dirt about as fast as a baby sea turtle can drag itself to the ocean -- that is, painstakingly slowly. So why did I buy it? Answer: it's not broken. It just needs some TLC in the form of a new drive belt.

Replacing the drive belt on a vacuum cleaner is an easy DIY repair that anyone can do. The drive belt is just a big old rubber band. One end of the belt hooks around a shaft that's attached to the vacuum's motor. The other end hooks around the vacuum's rotating brush, which sweeps the floor and scoops up all the crumbs, hair and other crud you're trying to get rid of. Above is a photo of my "new-old" vacuum cleaner with the drive belt removed and displayed on top, so you can see what it looks like.

Is your vacuum short on suction? First eliminate other possible causes: check for blockages and leaks in the tubes, and obstructions or tangles in the rotating brush. This sort of thing comes under the category of regular maintenance that you should be doing every now and then anyway. If none of those things is the cause, then you should replace the drive belt.

Continue reading Restore your vacuum's suction

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Ghastly Ghoul Grabber sure to terrify


You've got the candy. You've got your costume. You're juuust about ready for your big Halloween bash. Or are you? C'mon. It's just not Halloween until you've scared the living daylights out of your friends, family and/or colleagues. For those with electronics know-how, there's many a fun DIY project out there to fit the bill. Take this one, for example: the Ghoul Grabber from the site Instructables.com.

The Ghoul Grabber consists of a homemade step sensor attached to a ghoul dummy. When your friend arrives and steps oh-so-innocently over the threshold, he/she unwittingly steps on the sensor, which sets off the small motor to which it is attached. The motor, in turn, is hooked up to the ghoul, making the ghoul's "arms" suddenly lunge forward and grab for your guest's legs. Aaaahhhhh!!!!

Click here for full instructions and 27 pics, including a schematic wiring diagram. Your gentle instructor for this project, a fellow with the screen name "guyfrom7up," totally mangles the English language. However, he won me over with his enthusiasm and great photos! Click here to see a variation on the step sensor theme. For those with the tech know-how, these sensors can be wired to do all sorts of other tricks -- for example, to set off spooky lights and scary Halloween sounds.
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