Skill Builder: Build a Wobbler

Robotics
Skill Builder: Build a Wobbler


In the latest issue of MAKE, Volume 27, the always-awesome Howtoons project column shows you how to build a wobbly little walker using two servomotors and some plastic coat hanger hooks for eccentric wheegs. While this is not really a robot, it’s a fun project for teaching kids some bot basics, like the important robot-building technique of hacking servos for continuous rotation and using Tupperware as a bot body (very handy). Here’s a free PDF download of the two-page spread from the magazine.

More:
Robot Skill Builder series
Robotics section of Make: Projects


From the Pages of MAKE

MAKE 27MAKE Volume 27, Robots!
The robots have returned! MAKE Volume 27 features a special package with robotics projects for every age and skill level. They play music; they outwit your pets; they learn from their mistakes! In addition, we’ll show you how to build a special aquarium to keep jellyfish, create pre-Edison incandescent lighting, spy via the internet, and make a go-anywhere digital message board! All this and much, much more, in MAKE Volume 27.

On newsstands July 26! Buy or Subscribe

10 thoughts on “Skill Builder: Build a Wobbler

  1. Drew Harwell says:

    Why not skip a step and just use DC motors by themselves, rather than spend money on a servo just to simply rip it apart?

    1. Anonymous says:

      Because you’d likely want to gear the motors and a servo sans electronics is basically a gearmotor. And servos are now pretty cheap, and you can get them sans control electronics, which basically makes it a gearmotor right out of the box.

  2. Christopher Eriksson says:

    It doesnt really say you have to remove the end stops in the servo first, just running a non modded servo without doing that will most likely break a gear or two.

  3. James B says:

    I’m disappointed.  I thought this was going to be an article about how to make a center finding device for the lathe and drill press. 

  4. James B says:

    I’m disappointed.  I thought this was going to be an article about how to make a center finding device for the lathe and drill press. 

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK