Simple Simple Machine Rube Goldberg

Do you want to learn how to build a Rube Goldberg machine that is simple and also uses a lot of simple machines? Well this machine will show you how.

Supplies

Cardboard, a TON of books, two pencil boxes full of pencils, two boxes the same size, a ruler OR thin strip of cardboard OR two sheets of paper folded like a fan into a rectangle, thin rope OR string OR ribbon, tape, Jenga blocks, two foldable combs OR extra Jenga blocks, ball, medium-sized car, and most importantly, a small or medium sized bell (if you don’t have a bell, just use two pieces of metal)

Step 1: Gather All the Materials

Gather all of the materials listed in the supplies section of the page.

Step 2: Make the Wedge

Making the wedge is probably the hardest part of this machine. First, you need to gather materials. You need a large piece of cardboard, scissors, a ruler, a pencil, and some tape. First, cut out 5 different sized pieces of cardboard; one 7.25 inch by 9.5 inch (1), two 9.5 in by 4.75 in by 8.25 in at a 30 degree angle (2 & 3), one 7.25“ x 8.25“ rectangle (4), and 7.25“ x 4.75“ rectangle (5). Next, tape all of the pieces together in the following order. 4 should be the base, with 2 and 3 on the left and right of it. 5 should be on the top, and 1 should be on top of it. Reference the second picture for help. Then, fold pieces two and three so they are up. Reference third pic. Now, fold piece five so it touches pieces two and three and tape. Reference 4th pic. Finally, fold over piece 1 so it lays on all the pieces, and touches the end of piece 4. Reference pic 5. Repeat twice so you have a ramp and a wedge. Tada! Now you have your own wedge.

Step 3: Make the Lever

1. Take your two pencil boxes and two hair combs/Jenga blocks
2. Take out the back flap of one of the pencil boxes and take out four pencils from that box
3. Punch up the back flap of the box.
4. Take two of the four pencils removed from the box and tape them to the sides of where the flap is sticking out. These will serve as railings and the flap will serve as a holder for the ball. Remember, do NOT do this to the other box.
5. Tape together both sides of each hair comb (if you are using Jenga blocks you will not need to do this). These will serve as your fulcrums for both boxes.

Step 4: Build the Bell Stand

1. Tie the string OR rope to your bell
2. Then, wrap the untied side of the string around the folded piece of paper OR cardboard strip
3. Balance your folded piece of paper OR cardboard strip gently on the two same sized boxes

Step 5: Build Your Machine

1. To increase height to place the first wedge, stack up books until you have a height of 27 cm.
2. Place one wedge on top of the stack of books so that the slanted side of the wedge is creating an incline plane.
3. Place on Jenga block sideways on the floor. Then place the second wedge on the Jenga block so that it is balanced and so that the slanted side is facing the first wedge/stack of books.
4. Place your two hair combs 22 cm apart from each other. Next, Place one pencil box on the hair comb/Jenga block so that the side with the upward tilt is facing the second wedge. Make sure this pencil box doesn’t have railings and stopper at the back.
5. Place the second pencil box, so that the stopper is on top of the other pencil box. Make sure that the stopper is on the downward side of the first pencil box and only at the tip.
6. Place the ball in the second pencil box so that it is being blocked by the stopper.
7. Place to Jenga blocks in front of the second pencil box so that when the ball rolls down the pencil box it will hit the first Jenga block and start a domino reaction.
8. Place the bell stand right in front of the Jenga blocks. Make sure that the bell is positioned so that the last Jenga block will hit it, making the doorbell/ringing sound.

Step 6: Testing

1. Place the car on top of the first wedge so that it can slide down and hit the second wedge.
2. Give the car a slight push and let the machine run!!!!
WARNING: You might need to make slight adjustments in terms of positioning. Please note we didn’t use the same materials, but we assure you that these directions work.
3. Do not give up and consult the video/picture for guidance if necessary.
Notes:
This machine is helpful because if you remove all the parts from the pencil boxes, you will be able to use your foot against the levers to ring the doorbell.