electric dodgem

These are quite easy to make but you have to understand the principle





Another version of the same thing



They tend to function better the smaller you make them.
This one I made the whole mechanism as simply as possible from bent wire



One bit of wire forms the 'maypole' and is taped to a plastic bowl



Another bit of wire forms the wheel bearing and also one pole of the battery holder, the other end is soldered to one of the motor terminals. A bit of spring wire forms the switch, it is shown above in the 'off' position; to switch the motor on the spring is clipped against the pole of the battery.

Movie
Another movie




This one has two AAA battteries instead of a single AA. Goes really impressively fast. You can only just see the end of the pivot behind the motor. Wheel is made from a large tap washer with spare cogwheel from motor/gearbox set pressed into centre.



They are easier to make square; doesn't work so well on carpet because no curved rim.





good site for motors etc
similar idea
fabbers
tink'n'toymouse

my email is davidvwilliamson@hotmail.com
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what started it. I received several toys like this, they had small spring-loaded driving bogies which had an eccentric pivot. So when it bumped into an obstruction the bogie rotated round the pivot. I think I've attempted to draw this directly underneath the pilot