I've built the Most Useless Machine Ever

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
Make a thread when you're actually built one. I give you a 95% chance of never following through on this project.

I'm ordering the parts.

Since the box was out of stock, I ordered it from eBay instead:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120411925838&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I'm bidding on eBay for the same servo that the guy used on the Instructables website. Once, I found out if I've won the auction or not, then I'll order the rest of the parts from Maplin (I need to know whether to get the servo from them as well).

After that, I just need 4x brass hinges eith screws, wood glue and some nuts and bolts, which I'll get from the local harware place.
 

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
Here's a pic of an old ad for this toy:

OldAdSmall.jpg

Wow, I didn't realise that the idea was so old.
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
485
126
LOL.

I've ordered all the parts. Unfortunately, three of the items are pre-order because they are currently out of stock. They have an estimated delivery date of up to a month!!!

What are you building a 5970? :eek:
 

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
I've done the circuit diagram for my stripboard. This is a stripboard
fl17t.jpg


This is the circuit diagram from Instructables:
Schematic.jpg


This is my revised circuit diagram for the stripboard:
CircuitLayout.png


Can you spot any obvious cock-ups. I'll check it myself tomorrow.
 
Last edited:

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
Can't you get toggle switches like that at Radioshack? Even here you can get those without ordering!

Or even at Fry's if there is one close to him.

I live in England, so we don't have Radioshack or Fry's. The only electronics component shop in Oxford, where I live, is Maplin. England is rubbish when it comes to computer and electronics component shops.

It wasn't only the toggle switch, which had a 4 week delivery pre-estimate, it was also the stripboard. The diode had a two week delivery pre-estimate.

I really want to use the stripboard for the circuit because it makes life very easy with soldering, component layout, etc.

Anyway, I think I going to buy a different toggle switch. I know its in stock at my local Maplins branch, therefore I'll buy it from the in-store rather than ordering it online.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=2355
 

Mike Gayner

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2007
6,175
3
0
WTF even here in NZ you can get all of that stuff locally. Surely you have stores that carry the most basic electronic components?
 

Mike Gayner

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2007
6,175
3
0
I see you have Farnell in UK - it's mail order only (AFAIK), but they carry an absolutely insanely huge range of products, most of which are in stock. I've ordered products from Farnell NZ before - I had a great experience. It's difficult to search due to their massive product range, but you'll find whatever you need.

http://uk.farnell.com/
 

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
WTF even here in NZ you can get all of that stuff locally. Surely you have stores that carry the most basic electronic components?

Not really, unless you are lucky enough to have a RS or Maplin branch (they are the only ones nationwide that I know of) near where you live. Luckily, I have Maplin nearby, although a lot of the stuff shown on their website isn't available in-store.
 

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
I see you have Farnell in UK - it's mail order only (AFAIK), but they carry an absolutely insanely huge range of products, most of which are in stock. I've ordered products from Farnell NZ before - I had a great experience. It's difficult to search due to their massive product range, but you'll find whatever you need.

http://uk.farnell.com/

Thanks for the link. I'll keep that in mind if I need any other components
 

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
I've finished; it took about 3 days to build. Refer to OP for photos and video.
 

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
this just cracks me up the more watch it. as if the machine is saying "leave me the fuck alone."
 

Occ

Senior member
Nov 11, 2009
276
0
76
someone should make a looping .gif of it so it can hypnotize people properly.