Bristle Bot from PS2 Controller Motor

This is a variation of the now common bristle bot. It is a bit bigger, using 3 AA batteries and the vibration motor from a PS2 game controller

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Step 1: Materials and Tools Needed

For materials, you need:
- 4 identical toothbrushes
- A three-position AA battery holder
- 3 AA batteries
- A dead or unneeded PS2 Controller or similar
- A SPST switch
- A bit of extra wire, 24g insulated (possible)

I got my toothbrushes for $1 US at, where else, the dollar store. The batteries and holder were sitting around. The PS2 controller I bought simply to take apart anyway. The switch is from my parts cabinet.

The tools needed are the basic builder stuff:
- soldering iron
- hot glue gun (with glue)
- wire cutters
- wire strippers
- you may need a file to clean the contacts of the battery holder

Helenmelwin says: Apr 24, 2012. 12:09 AM

This bristle bot motor ps2 controller is elegant and compact to use. AA batteries are used very effectively.

chipper35 says: Jul 20, 2011. 9:14 AM

Good instructable......but gee whiz, that might be the shortest video in the history of Youtube!!

luiscll says: Dec 13, 2010. 5:08 AM

Hi there, do you have the datasheet of this dc motor?

twhaley says: Feb 5, 2008. 3:30 PM

i'm looking into purchasing a top-of-the-line hot glue gun, can anyone recommend one? I bought a martha stewart brand one a few years ago but it was a piece of crapola.

RetroPlayer in reply to twhaleyMar 12, 2008. 6:37 AM

Check out the Dremel 1200-01 Hot glue gun. Has two temps, a flattened handle, and a silicone guard over the nozzle to prevent burns to your hands, plastic you are gluing, or worse: the power cord. Oh, and it also has an on/off switch. A feature absolutely essential in a glue gun, but missing in every glue gun I have ever purchased before, including the $30 one I bought not too long ago.

mg0930mg in reply to RetroPlayerJan 2, 2009. 9:12 PM

Really missing an on/off switch? Never, heard of that...

pancho del rancho in reply to mg0930mgAug 1, 2009. 9:00 PM

hahahah omg man fooo a on and off buttton omg thats new lol i almost cryied

mg0930mg in reply to pancho del ranchoAug 1, 2009. 10:01 PM

What?

pancho del rancho in reply to mg0930mgAug 2, 2009. 8:08 AM

naw fooo u dont get it i was kinda hyper at the time 2

iP0D says: Mar 16, 2009. 4:14 PM

could you use a different on/off switch, just make it so it goes when you plug the battery and get rid of the switch all together?

pancho del rancho in reply to iP0DAug 1, 2009. 8:58 PM

that should work as long its connected directly to the batterys

The Speaker Guy (author) in reply to iP0DMar 16, 2009. 8:12 PM

Sure, no worries mate.

sharlston in reply to The Speaker GuyMay 29, 2009. 9:29 AM

i used a reed switchso when it detects a magnet it moves so i put a magnet on my ring and amazed mi frineds thanks ps.would it be ok if i made a few of these to sell?

jjj_9 in reply to sharlstonAug 8, 2009. 2:24 PM

just do it, when will he find out? lool

The Speaker Guy (author) in reply to sharlstonMay 29, 2009. 11:25 AM

Hi - not my permission to give. Send an email to evil mad scientist, he thought of them first

Uru Wolf says: Feb 11, 2008. 12:32 PM

You could use two moters and have one doing up/down and the other doing left/right. Make a ball of brushes and put the moters into the middle. Watch it roll...

thebobcrew in reply to Uru WolfSep 12, 2008. 2:52 PM

true very true6

107

killerjackalope says: Jan 28, 2008. 1:56 AM

hmmm you could make scrathy bot with a bunch of wire brushes, a pokey bot with an old heatsink and a stabby bot from a bunch of exacto knife of similar blades...

MilotisX in reply to killerjackalopeJun 12, 2008. 12:33 PM

... very very true

Your Average Guy says: Feb 4, 2008. 7:44 PM

oops sorrey

Your Average Guy says: Feb 4, 2008. 7:39 PM

I'm sorry i found the problem there was a piece of a paper clip thatwas sticking out of the moader area probably from my evil yongest brother

Your Average Guy says: Feb 4, 2008. 4:15 PM

(removed by author or community request)

The Speaker Guy (author) in reply to Your Average GuyFeb 4, 2008. 6:57 PM

I started with a broken PS2 controller, but did not get zapped. Send me a pic and I will try to assist.

GorillazMiko says: Jan 27, 2008. 7:59 PM

Nooooo, you beat me to it! I was going to make this, but much smaller, but here's the link.

164

Kiteman in reply to GorillazMikoJan 28, 2008. 3:44 PM

No, I was going to make it - I've even been out and bought a new toothbrush with bristles at just the right angle!

GorillazMiko in reply to KitemanJan 28, 2008. 3:47 PM

:P Okay. :-)

cowscankill in reply to GorillazMikoJan 30, 2008. 6:02 PM

post yours anyways, it's different and already fully documented

AzurusNova in reply to GorillazMikoJan 30, 2008. 5:45 AM

I have to make a few of these things when I can find the parts. Could you imagen a troop of these things scrubbing your floors? Heh, lets try this with a bigger brush now. ;) Lets see how big we can get them.

stackemtotheheavens1 says: Jan 30, 2008. 9:01 AM

you could also do this with the motor from the rumble packs from the old nintendo 64's.i got two of 'em. should i make a double power bristle bot or should i just make two?

cowscankill in reply to stackemtotheheavens1Jan 30, 2008. 5:58 PM

make two and race 'em!

FunkNattidelic says: Jan 30, 2008. 9:41 AM

i think i could put this to use around my house... spray some cleaner in the bathtub and put 'er in.

darkmuskrat says: Jan 29, 2008. 6:44 PM

Lolz, for some reason I could see this chasing me down a dark alley at night :P

Rob K says: Jan 27, 2008. 9:10 PM

I was thinking of the pool cleaner bots.

Rob K in reply to Rob KJan 27, 2008. 9:20 PM

Guess you could use a waterproof case for the motor and some weight and have the battery pack on a long wire. Let it bounce around the bottom of a pool.

The Speaker Guy (author) in reply to Rob KJan 27, 2008. 9:59 PM

That is a good idea. Li+ batteries would be good. Simply drop a few bots in the pool at night, take them out the next day and put them in a charging dock.