Bristlebots are about as simple as it gets, even in non-robot terms, they're simple. So, I thought, "Why not eliminate electricity and make a clockwork bristlebot?" Indeed! A tiny mechanical wonder!

Step 1: Bill of Materials

One clockwork motor sufficient to shake a small robot

Two brass wire brushes of your choosing

A small wood saw

A drill whose size of bit shall become clear in the following steps

Some kind of strong glue of your choosing

Step 2: The Mechanism

Not wanting to build my own clockwork motor I searched out clocks, toys and tools both old and new that held the geared motors I would need to choose from for my bristlebot.

I eventually settled on a mechanical penguin. It was perfect!

I carefully disassembled the tin beast and removed it's innards leaving them completely intact.

Step 3: The Brushes

Determine the length of the robot chassis and cut the brushes to size with a wood saw. This is not a complex operation.

Step 4: Fitting the Motor

The construction of the motor dictated the method of mounting for this project. I had originally intended to cut slots to hold the metal tabs and quickly discovered that drilling holes was a far more practical option.

I simple held the motor in place for the first hole and let that be the anchor for the others drilling each in turn after the first. There was a slight but inconsequential variance in the placement of the holes that was easily corrected.

With the holes drilled I simply mixed some two part epoxy. You could use about anything, I'm just not fond of waiting for glue to dry and prefer to use something faster.

Fill the holes with glue and slip fit the brushes to the motor. Simply hold it in place until the glue sets.

Step 5: Turn It Loose!

Once the glue is dry make check to make sure everything is sound and secure then simply wind it up and let it go.

(....check out the video at the beginning.)