Altoids ROMP(Random Oscillating Magnetnetic Pendulum)

That's right, ALTOIDS. You can even smell it a bit! Everything is portable and can be fitted into a tiny package when you're done playing with yourself ^_. Then, after playing with the ROMP, you'll get a little toy that you can place in your pocket(well, if they are large enough, it's not THAT small). This is all made from household items and maybe a tool which you can borrow from your neighbor or something.

Step 1: Materials and Tool You Need.

Plenty of room for improvising. I used some tools just to make it a bit faster, since I don't want to spend too much time on this.

Materials
-Altoids Can/Base of sorts
-Broken Antenna. A dowel or something similar will do fine, although probably less portable
-Rope/String/Shoelace?
-Magnets. I used NeoDymium magnets from an old hard drive, they seem a bit TOO strong for this purpose, so I suggest weaker magnets for the base, and maybe, a strong one on the string.
-2 Paper Clips. I made the mistake of making them too long, therefor attracting the pendulum to the antenna. This is OPTIONAL, since hot gluing it will work fine, and probably better, although sacrificing portablility.
-Hot Glue sticks. For gluing the pole's base, use hot glue or somthing strong to hold it togethe.

Tools
-Drill. Power drill or hand dril is fine, although use something to make it drill straight, else it'll slide off. Basically, something to make a hole big enough for the antenna/pole to fit through.
-Hacksaw. A power saw is acceptable if your antenna is the strong kind(with layers inside of it so it's thicker), but a hacksaw is great for cheaper, thinner antennas.
-Hot Glue Gun. To attach holder for pole/antenna.
-Marker. Use it to estimate measurement, since there is no true need for a ruler here, you can estimate the lengths you need and it'll work out fine. You can just estimate using your hands too.
-Bench Grinder or File. Cutting the antenna WILL leave the sides roughed up, and you need to file/grind it down or else it'll cut you.

Step 2: Screwing in the Can

As wrong as that title may sound, this is exactly what you're going to do. First, measure 1 line through the center of the can and somewhere conveinent on the side(preferably not where the cap fits into place, so the lower half).

After getting this marked, drill into the side of the can on both sides. Make sure it is centered a bit, because the long piece on antenna is going through here when you aren't using the ROMP. to see how big of a hole you need for this, compare the drill bit to the widest end of the antenna(the section we'll be using) and make sure the drill bit is a little bigger than it.

Then, you'll now have 2 holes in which you can place your antenna through.

Step 3: Preparing to Launch Colonel!

In this step, we'll be preparing the antenna to be raised. When doing this project, take note of any areas where you can make things more efficient and keep portablility, strength, and quality in mind.

In the whole scheme of things, you need 4 cut pieces of antenna. The overhang, pole, pole holder, and the pole base.

I'll explain how exactly this should work. The overhang is the piece that holds the pendulum and magnet over the can, in the center, so measure a piece out of the tip of the antenna and cut. If you end up with a bit more than needed, don't worry, you'll be tying the string and it won't come off too easily.

Pole. The longest part you will be using, a bit less than 6 inches is suitible. You might end up with 1 and a quarter of an antenna piece, that'll retract a bit. I'm using the thickest portion of the antenna because it needs to be strong and long.

Pole Holder. This is cut from the middle section of the antenna where it's slightly smaller than the large end, so it fits inside. the Pole will slip on over this tiny piece.

Pole base is made from the same section of the antenna as the holder, and is what connects the entire pole, holder, and overhang to the altoids can. Make sure it's glued tight, later on.

For measurements:
Overhang:2 inches
Pole: 5 3/4 inches
Holder: 7/8 inch
Base: 1/2 inch

In case you haven't figured it out, you use the hacksaw to cut the pieces.Might want to use a clamp to hold the antenna in place while cutting.

Step 4: Which Way Now?

Okay. This might be hard to explain and to understand. So you are presented with 2 choices when making this. You can either use hot glue and piece the pole and overhang and then glue the base and holder, OR you can use paper clips to hold the pieces in place, improving portablility although sacrificing strentgh. Also, paper clipping looks better than hot glue everywhere ;p.

For the hot glue way(easier btw), glue the base perpendicular to the side of the can(so the base is sticking outwith the hollow center facing away from the can). Then, you make a 90 degree angle with the pole holder. Make sure it's straight and secured.Facing directly upwards. For the Pole+Overhang, make another 90 degree angle with them, and glue the corner. Your result should allow the pole to slip onto the holder easily.

Paper Clip way. You bend the paper clips like shown in the picture, so it will slip into the pole and overhang with a little force, securing it because of the angle at which the paper clip was bent. For the second clip, you can straighten it out, and cut it in half if you'd like. You make a 90 degree angle with the base and holder with the paper clip as the core. with a tiny end sticking out from the base, bend it 90 degrees and hot glue it to the side of the can. Then, "fold" up the rest of the paper clip from the holder, into the holder and glue the corner that joins the base and holder.

For some reason, my glue turned out brown-ish so it's really ugly. And this step is completely open for improvement, because my way sucks =].

Step 5: We're Almost There Folks, Hang on Tight, Just Don't Piss Your Pants.

Put everything together! Connect the pole onto the base and tie a piece of string onto the overhang, tie a magnet on the other end, and place magnets on the can.

You now should(emphasis on should) have a mini-ROMP now.

I was going to tie a little toy on the end with a magenet, but it was too big and heavy to work well. I did, however, manage to tie a noose just for my magnet(the hangman one) so it's easy to adjust it's position.

Set up your magnets onto the can now.

Step 6: Claps We're Done! Now See Horrible Credits!

I thank FrenchCrawler for bringing up the original instructable on making your own ROMP, and for helping me think of ideas.

What I DO NOT thank him for, is misspelling my name in his own altoids ROMP, bastard. xD

FrenchCrawler's version:
https://www.instructables.com/id/E0J207KUBXERV7C0TD/

FrenchCrawler's original version:
https://www.instructables.com/id/E7343C85JWERIE2RED/

Thanks to that company that makes the real ROMP. And I think I should thank you for reading my first instructable...

But I won't. Continue playing with yourselves and such and such.

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25 Comments

Neodudeman

16 years ago

Holy crap trebuche. You freakin read my mind. Like. seriously. stop.

Stormed

16 years ago on Step 6

Comments and questions from literate people only. ^_

hexmuj3

15 years ago on Introduction

cheeeeeeeessssssss! =P

bedbugg2

15 years ago on Introduction

who doesnt like magnets!

bam151515

15 years ago on Introduction

i feel stupid

manmelvin

16 years ago

what in the world is a romp ???? is it like a pendulum thinggy

lemonie

16 years ago

(Being pedantic) Neodynium - (it's not a brand name or registed trade-mark)

cowanbm

16 years ago

Anybody interested in making a "perpetual motion" version of this should read the "Omni Pendulum" article in the Aril 2006 issue of Everyday Practical Electronics.