Your own spin art machine

I recently found an old Knex pinball kit that didn't work anymore, so I took it apart, hoping I could find stuff for arduino. During the "dissection" :) I found most of the pieces used for this, a 4 digit 7 segment display, and a motor box that works the same way as any other knex motor. I connected the center piece of the board and connected it to a motor, as well as some pvc pipe and a battery box from a remote control. Have fun!

Step 1: What you need...

1. Knex electronic arcade.........$20 to $40 on ebay
2. PVC Pipe...........three "3 sided parts" and about 24 in. 3/4 and {1 inch (optional)}
3. Soldering iron
4. Hot glue gun
5. Battery pack..................I used one from a remote control, which was disconnected
6. 2 wires, about 6 in.
7. Drill
8. Paper
9. Paint and brush
10. Tape

Comments

[CreativeGeek]

As for spin painting, you could also use glitter glue for the painting material, as well as paint.

[KGuy]

I would find that easier, actually (so the paint doesn't fly off). Im not sure, however, if it would stick too much and it wouldn't have the "spin" effect.

[CreativeGeek]

Good point.

[furrysalamander]

A hard drive with a bigger disk on top of the platter, hooked up to power works extremely well.

[foreverdisturbed]

How do you run the hard drive motor?

[furrysalamander]

Old power supply, or connect the wires to the right voltages according to color. I just leave the whole hard drive intact, with a bigger circle glued to the platter.

[foreverdisturbed]

Thank you for answering my question.

[furrysalamander]

you're welcome. If you want, I think I can take a picture of everything. I can probably even figure out a wiring diagram for making one that just uses a wall wart. If I remember correctly, you have to hook up the entire hard drive to 5 and 12 volts. Not sure how you would use just a motor. I can't remember which colors are which voltages, but if you google it, you should be able to figure it out. If you just use an old computer power supply, that will work much better. you just have to hook up a switch to the power on pins on one of the connectors. If you wait, later this month I'll be making an instructable for a REALLY nice setup, that is fairly ceap. Wow that was a lot to type on a tiny 3DS keyboard. :)

[foreverdisturbed]

I actualy have a 1" round Circuit board from a 12vdc water pump that I made when working for Thermacore Inc. That we used on the Alienware liquid cooling system and with that board I can run a hard drive pump alone with out the rest of the hard drive. I asked because I was just windering if there was any other way that might be easier because you would have to buy a whole Liquid cooler on ebay to get the circuit board. I would like to see your Wireing diagram. Thanks.

[KGuy]

Huh..... never thought of that

[dropkick]

Neat! My neighbor had a spin art machine when I was growing up. He made some really cool pictures with it. - His was in a tub.
I've been thinking of building one for years. I've always thought that (if it would work) you could make some really cool "tie-dye" like clothing with it. This is why most of my ideas have always revolved around an old phonograph record player and a large circle cut from plywood.
I've yet to try it, but your work has given me a push towards giving it a try.
I have one suggestion for you: insert a rheostat between the motor and the battery box. This will give you speed control, and it's an easy job to wire one in.
Since your using a low power application you could scavenge a potentiometer from an old radio (volume control) or get one from Radio Shack or eBay for a couple bucks (the larger the ohm value (or K) the more variance in speed) - With a potentiometer you can input the power to either the first or third terminal and use the middle or second terminal as the output.

[louis.m]

If I were you, I'd build the thing in a little basin, prevents the surroundings from being painted.

[KGuy]

I agree. It also stops paint "flying" if you used a semi-drained battery

[M2Field]

I guess cannabilizing the Knex works fast and easy, but to spend $30? A 3vdc motor is $6 on ebay, a battery pack at radio shack and some plastic will do the same job. No?

I love the PVC H frame for it.

[KGuy]

I had just had this lying in the garage.....plus it wasn't working. So why not use the spare parts? I was just stating where I got it from and what else was in there. But thank you!

[Frankie Daileigh]

How do I get the paint off the wall now?

[DreamingSheep]

Hahahaa, Love it!!

[KGuy]

XD

[Lyn0104]

I have used a salad spinner. More for us who have no electronic skills!

[HelenaTroy]

I'm with you on lack of electric skills! I've used a cake turntable for the same purpose

[KGuy]

Glad you found something!