Steampunk Segway ( Legway )

A self balancing, human powered, steampunk styled, Segway. All you need is a brave self balancing human. This is the ultimate green vehicle for all you eco conscious steampunkers. Is that an oxymoron? I made this out of mostly found materials. This was my first steampunk styled build. Any good suggestions on making it look better will be incorporated as long as the materials are cheap and easy to find. I have been calling it the Legway in reference to the propulsion method. Yes, I know about those Lego self balancers of the same name.

This Instructable covers a basic version of this. For details on how I got my steampunk look go to www.buildlog.net

Anyway this is my entry to the Epilog Laser Engraver Challenge. Vote for me and I will share it with local Chicago makers, builders and hackers.

Step 1:

Step 2: Build Pedal Shafts

Materials

(2) Galvanized 1/2" pipe flanges
(2) 1/2" black pipe pieces 8" long
(4) 1/2" black pipe elbows
(2) 1/2" x 3.5" pipe for the offset pieces
(1) 1/2" x 3.5" pipe for the center section.


Build this first to get all the measurements needed for the other parts. Put all the part together as shown in the picture. Tighten them very tight, but make sure everything is squared up and the bolt patterns of the flanges are square. I primarily used black pipe parts because I found some around. To prevent the parts from loosening later, I tack welded them, but I am sure epoxy or JB Weld would do. Measure the offset the pedal shafts have from the center. This will be used for the bolt patterns on the wheels later. Measure the width of the clear areas of the pipes in the pedal area for the widths of the pedals.

Step 3: Build the Wheels

Materials

3/4" Plywood.

Cut (2) 16" diameter circles out of plywood. I used some nice Baltic birch I found. I used my router to add the steampunk details. Drill holes for the flanges with the correct offset from the center as measured in the pedal shaft step. I used t-nuts to bolt the flanges on because I had them. I am sure other fastening methods would work. I also put black t-molding around the wheel. I got it from www.t-molding.com. I borrowed a slitting saw blade to cut the groove. They sell router bits to do it too.

Update: I thought I would update this step with some recent ideas. Commenter golddigger1559 had a great idea for some simple but high quality wheels. Golddigger1559 took an old set of smallish bicycle wheels and cut out the spokes. Screw the rim to a piece of plywood inside rim. You get a very smooth running wheel without a lot of work.

Step 4: Build the Pedals

Materials

3/4" lumber

The pedals are made from 2 layers of 3/4" lumber. Make the grain go across the shaft to keep them from splitting. Bolt the two piece together and drill through 7/8" dia. I over drilled mine to fit some Teflon sheet inside as a bearing. Cut the pedals to fit the width of pipe in the pedal area. I made mine 4" front to back.

Step 5: Build the Handle

Materials

3/4" lumber.

Trace out a nice shape and cut it out. Hold the handle in front of you where you would feel comfortable riding and measure the angle to the middle of your feet. Epoxy a block to the handle with this angle cut to it. Drill a 1-1/8 hole in it to accept the handle post.

I spent a lot of time on the design and fab on this part. I made a printed a gauge dial and put it behind some Plexiglas and a brass bezel. I wrapped the grips with some leather lacing.

Step 6:

Materials

3/4" thick UHMWPE

I used (2) pieces of UHMWPE. I had the material left over from a table saw fixture I made. Other materials such as nylon might work as well. Bolt them together and drill a 7/8" hole for the pedal shaft and one 1-1/8 hole for the handle post. I made it so the parts would clamp to the post, but free spin on the pedal shaft.

This is the only non steampunk material I used. I'll pretend it is whale bone, elephant tusk or some other politically correct Victorian material.

Update: I bought the UHMWPE on sale at a woodworking show. You can also buy it a McMaster Carr. The size used here (4" x 3/4") is about $11 per linear foot. You only need about 4" of it. It is nice stuff to have around for projects. It is very tough and nearly frictionless against metal. It can be easily cut, drilled with woodworking tools.

Step 7: Build the Handle Post

Materials

1" copper pipe.
1/2 copper pipe
Misc fittings
Flux and Solder

Stand on the floor and hold the handle where you want it. Measure the length of 1" copper pipe that is needed and cut it to length. I added a kick stand type thing that holds up the handle when not riding. I made it out of a 1" x 1" x 1/2" tee, a male to female 45deg elbow and a piece of 1/2" copper pipe. I just measured the parts on the fly and brazed them in. Set the contact angle of the post forward of any reasonable angle that might occur while riding. I put a plastic chair leg tip on the end.

Step 8: Final Assembly

Bolt the wheels to the pedal shaft.

Screw the pedal halves together on the pedal shaft.

Bolt the post bearing to the shaft.

Install the handle onto the post.

Install the post onto the post bearing.

(Shown with it's baby brother...the Universe Cycle)

Step 9: Ride It...See a Video

It is not that difficult. I am pretty good with the Universe Cycle now, so that helps. The Legway is much harder to turn.

Practice along a railing or fence. Don't be afraid to eventually leave the support. It looks a lot harder than it is. You can't really turn very well. You can sometimes get one wheel to skid around with a little weight shift and hip twist. I have not ridden very much. I want to take some pictures with a real camera before it gets beat up. I will post more pictures and videos soon.

...before the comments come in...This was not meant to be a real effective means of transportation. This was more for the fun of the build and coolness factor.

See the video...

My 8 year old daughter shot the video. I did not know she was chasing me, so I stopped when I was getting too far away. We did this in one take...and it shows. That is not an intentional sound track. It was just playing in my garage.

Software Used in This Project

Pro/Engineer - 3D Solid Modeling

AutoCAD LT - 2D Drafting

Vectric Aspire 2.0 - CAM Software - (Awesome software...www.vectric.com)

Mach 3 - CAM Controller (..again awesome...www.machsupport.com)

Corel Draw 10.0 - Graphics

Step 10: What's Next

Here is a very rough rendering of what I am working on.

This is a 2 person self balancing cycle. I have seen similar examples of this elsewhere, but mine is on a smaller scale. My goal is to make it very easy to make and cost less than $100.

It self balances because the weight is below the center of the axle. The pedals will connect to the wheels via chain. Each person controls one wheel. Pedal to together and you go straight. Go opposite and you spin in place, etc. I will probably make some form of disc brake for each wheel. Not shown are casters that will contact the ground to prevent rollover on sudden starts or stops. I am going to start at a scale for kids (about 5' tall max).

See the snapshot of the Sketchup drawing of the basic concept.

Here is a link to the Sketchup (Ver 7) file.

Update 5/3/09
Chip are flying. I cut one side, the seat bottom and the seat back. The size and fit of the seat was my biggest risk area. I used the Universe Cycle as a stand in for some pedals. The size looks good. It appears wider than I thought it would. To keep the costs down I am using BC exterior plywood. 3/4" for the sides and 1/2" for the seat.

I routed a lot of slots in the parts to give it a lighter look. It might save a little weight, but I think it will look a lot better. I designed some gears and a piston thing for the sides. See the new 3D view.

A lot of the mechanical parts are on order from Surplus Center. They should be here by Tuesday.

Update 5/5/09
Have the basic chassis cut. See the picture. Got the mechanical parts from surplus center. Added a picture of my shop.