make magazine Archive

The Steampunk Roadster

Author: | Categories: Projects, Steampunk, Video 1 Comment
Update: car has been sold! In a few short months The Steampunk Workshop will celebrate it’s 10th birthday! I can barely believe that it’s been ten whole years since this whole “steampunk” thing blew up on the internets. It’s been a lot of fun for me, but I also

Make:Blog 5 4 3 2 1 Things About . . .

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… me!  The lovely folks over at Make:Blog asked me to answer some questions for their 5 4 3 2 1 Things About . . . series and I was more than happy to oblige!

Jake’s Wimshurst Machine and How to Build It! (Part 1)

Author: | Categories: Favorites, Projects 12 Comments
Last year I wrote an article for Make Magazine volume #17 that described the construction of an electrostatic generator of electricity, a Wimshurst Influence machine, using parts and materials commonly available at your local home center and hardware store. I was a little surprised and quite pleased when I

Bruce’s Wimshurst Machine

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Bruce writes: Hi Jake, Attached are a couple current images of my 20 sector Wimshurst machine based on your construction article, with changes made as needed to suit locally available materials and to resolve some issues that showed up after the initial construction.  Click through to the full set

Franklin’s Bells – Demonstration of Electrostatics with Wimshurst Machine

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How to Build a Wimshurst Influence Machine – Part 2

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   This is part two in a series of articles describing how to build a Wimshurst Influence Machine with parts and materials available at your local home center and hardware store.  In this part I detail how to make a tool to cut the acrylic disks and how to

How to Build a Wimshurst Influence Machine – Part 3

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   This is part three in a series of articles describing how to build a Wimshurst Influence Machine with parts and materials available at your local home center and hardware store.  In this part I detail the construction of the base, supports, charge collectors, and neutralizing bars. If you missed

How to Build a Wimshurst Influence Machine – Part 4

Author: | Categories: Projects 1 Comment
   This is part four in a series of articles describing how to build a Wimshurst Influence Machine with parts and materials available at your local home center and hardware store.  In this part I detail the construction Leyden jars and the final assembly. If you missed the beginning

How to Build a Wimshurst Influence Machine – Operating the Machine

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   This is the final part in a series of articles describing how to build a Wimshurst Influence Machine with parts and materials available at your local home center and hardware store.  In this part I detail setting the machine up and making some sparks! If you missed the

Rick’s Wimshurst Machine

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Another Wimshurst Machine is finished! This is the third complete one I’ve seen and one of at least half a dozen in process.  If you’re working on a Wimshurst by all means send along some photos! I am fascinated by the individual modification to the basic design people are coming