- Joined
- Dec 2, 1999
- Messages
- 12,249
I made this a couple of years ago to keep some kids we were baby sitting quiet for the evening. I'm posting now in case you have youngins over for the holidays and they need something to do.
What is is: Homemade Spin Art thing
Needed:
1 box
Some balsa wood
index cards or similar paper stock
6 volt lantern battery
6-12 volt DC motor
2 alligator clips
Some wire,
Short piece of plastic tubing 1/8 ID by 1/4 OD or so
Switch momentary, normally open
Tempura paint from drug store or art store (about $6)
The box has to be tall enough to allow the motor and the cradle to sit upright + about 3 inches or so to be safe from splattering paint.
You need a 6 to 12 volt motor, you can get them at surplus electronics places. You don't want too small or it will get too hot, nor do you need lots of RPM, It does need to be big enough to spin the balsa cradle. Here are some motors for example, I think I used 10,000 rom motor for $2.75. It doesn't spint that fast once the cradle is one and running at 6 volts. Maybe 500 RPM. http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm/subsection/category.cfm/subsection/18
Paper notes: Thicker stock like index cards work better they don't get too soggy.
Making the cradle: I picked 5x8 blanks index cards so I made a rectangular box out of balsa with short sides to hold the cards in. I left the corners open so I could easily remove the card when done. On the bottom center of the cradle I glued a block of balsa with a hole drilled in it. This hole matched the outer tubing size. I pushed the tubing in, and the interior ID of the tubing slides over the motor shaft.
Making the motor mount: I made an "H" shaped brace out of balsa wood, well glued. I attached wires to the motor, then mounted it upright between the sides, braced it in with balsa and glued (don't get glue in the motor). I glued the mount with the motor and cradle to the bottom of the box, keeping the wires free for soldering.
Now hook up the electrical circuit, one battery terminal directly to the motor, the other battery terminal to one side of the switch, the other not connected yet motor wire to the other side of the switch. I used alligator clips on the wires that connect to the battery so I can change out the battery quickly if need be.
TEST IT !! Make sure everything spins evenly and fast. You may need to adjust the cradle on the motor. It doesn't have to be perfect, just stay on and spin. Tape all the wires down so they don't get caught. Take the tubing/cradle off the motor shaft and secure it permanently with a few drops of super glue inside then install it back on the shaft.
Here's an overall top view I elected to but the battery in the corner, protected with some cardboard.
Here's what some paint looks like, they are a little thick so I thinned them with tap water.
Ready to go, method one, put the paint on first. Paint is still thick in this shot:
After a few seconds, note paint is too thick an didn't spread very well. Method two is to apply the paint after it's spinning, generally that's more effective.
A few minutes work:
The spidery lines come from thinner paint and applying once it's spinning.
Buy alot of paint! You go through it pretty fast especially with kids. You can also add glitter, and similar kinds of embellishment. They are best added at slow or stopped though as if glitter is dropped on at full speed it will spatter all over the place.
What is is: Homemade Spin Art thing
Needed:
1 box
Some balsa wood
index cards or similar paper stock
6 volt lantern battery
6-12 volt DC motor
2 alligator clips
Some wire,
Short piece of plastic tubing 1/8 ID by 1/4 OD or so
Switch momentary, normally open
Tempura paint from drug store or art store (about $6)
The box has to be tall enough to allow the motor and the cradle to sit upright + about 3 inches or so to be safe from splattering paint.
You need a 6 to 12 volt motor, you can get them at surplus electronics places. You don't want too small or it will get too hot, nor do you need lots of RPM, It does need to be big enough to spin the balsa cradle. Here are some motors for example, I think I used 10,000 rom motor for $2.75. It doesn't spint that fast once the cradle is one and running at 6 volts. Maybe 500 RPM. http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm/subsection/category.cfm/subsection/18
Paper notes: Thicker stock like index cards work better they don't get too soggy.
Making the cradle: I picked 5x8 blanks index cards so I made a rectangular box out of balsa with short sides to hold the cards in. I left the corners open so I could easily remove the card when done. On the bottom center of the cradle I glued a block of balsa with a hole drilled in it. This hole matched the outer tubing size. I pushed the tubing in, and the interior ID of the tubing slides over the motor shaft.
Making the motor mount: I made an "H" shaped brace out of balsa wood, well glued. I attached wires to the motor, then mounted it upright between the sides, braced it in with balsa and glued (don't get glue in the motor). I glued the mount with the motor and cradle to the bottom of the box, keeping the wires free for soldering.
Now hook up the electrical circuit, one battery terminal directly to the motor, the other battery terminal to one side of the switch, the other not connected yet motor wire to the other side of the switch. I used alligator clips on the wires that connect to the battery so I can change out the battery quickly if need be.
TEST IT !! Make sure everything spins evenly and fast. You may need to adjust the cradle on the motor. It doesn't have to be perfect, just stay on and spin. Tape all the wires down so they don't get caught. Take the tubing/cradle off the motor shaft and secure it permanently with a few drops of super glue inside then install it back on the shaft.
Here's an overall top view I elected to but the battery in the corner, protected with some cardboard.
Here's what some paint looks like, they are a little thick so I thinned them with tap water.
Ready to go, method one, put the paint on first. Paint is still thick in this shot:
After a few seconds, note paint is too thick an didn't spread very well. Method two is to apply the paint after it's spinning, generally that's more effective.
A few minutes work:
The spidery lines come from thinner paint and applying once it's spinning.
Buy alot of paint! You go through it pretty fast especially with kids. You can also add glitter, and similar kinds of embellishment. They are best added at slow or stopped though as if glitter is dropped on at full speed it will spatter all over the place.
