Ben Light’s Wobble Bot is a working motorized toy built from a pineapple can, a spice container, and a weighted half-sphere—not just a decorative can craft. Its eccentric motor makes the body wobble, while a knob on the head controls the motor. Make: rates the project moderate, estimates 38 hours, and lists a $0–$50 price range; those are the project page’s estimates, not a current time or cost guarantee.
What the project involves
The build combines metal and plastic fabrication, drilling, soldering, and mechanical assembly. The four main assemblies are the head, can body, coupling ring, and weighted bottom half-sphere. Make: lists a hand drill and bits, soldering iron, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and other tools; its full list also includes specialized equipment such as a metal lathe, taps, and a powder-coating gun.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The project page displays February 17, 2016 and February 1, 2023, without clarifying which date is the original publication and which is an update. Its dimensions are approximate: the listed pineapple can is 3.35 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall, while the ring and half-sphere fits may vary by the containers used.
How the wobble mechanism works
A DC toy motor turns a wheel fitted off-center with a screw, washers, and a nut. That eccentric assembly makes the robot shake. The motor is attached using a modified plastic mount. The weighted half-sphere at the bottom helps the body move in its characteristic wobble; Light notes that washer quantity and weight may need adjustment. Check that the motor runs before closing the weighted base.
#1 Best Overall
- Pay attention: Please read the instructions or pictures carefully, use the correct circuit diagram to avoid short circuit, short circuit will produce high temperature and Causing accessory damage
- Shaft Propeller Aperture:2mm/0.078"; Diameter:60mm/2.36"; Number of vane:4 vane and 3 vane;colour:Red & Blue & Yellow&Green&Clear(Random Color)
- DC Motors Color:Siler+Red;Voltage:DC 3V-12V;No-load speed: 9000RPM- 25000RPM ±10%; Motor Body Diameter:27mm/1.06";Shaft Size:10x2.0mm/0.39"x0.08"(L*D);Motor Body Length;38mm/1.46"
- High torque Strong magnetic Brushed Electric 130 MOTOR, can be used for Science Educational models, DIY STEM toys, etc.. It is recommended to use a 3V battery drive to avoid high-speed operation affecting the motor life.
- Package including:6pcs DC motor,6pcs 9V Battery Clip Connector,6pcs 2 x AA Battery Holder,6pcs motor mounting bracket,6pcs boat rocker switches,12pcs x electronic wire(25cm),8pcs Plastic wheels，4pcs 2*100mm shaft,4pcs 4 vanes propeller,2pcs 3 vanes propeller and 40cmΦ3 Heat shrink tube
A 555 Timer IC and the other listed circuit components are assembled on circular perfboard. The listed parts include a potentiometer, two 0.1 µF capacitors, a TIP120 transistor, a voltage regulator, a 9V battery and connector, and male headers. Make: does not state every component’s exact model or electrical rating, so the parts list should not be treated as a complete specification for selecting substitutes.
Build the body and head
- Prepare the can. Clean the pineapple can, remove its label, and drill openings for the motor, wiring, and coupling-ring attachment.
- Make the weighted base. Drill the half-sphere for its connection to the ring. The source describes a lamp weight, washers, a threaded nipple, and lamp nuts inside it. Smaller weights can be used if a lathe is unavailable.
- Fit the coupling ring. The ring connects the can to the half-sphere and supports the circular perfboard. The project gives a suggested size of 3.45 inches in diameter by 1.25 inches high, with approximate fits of 3.2 inches for the can and 3.1 inches for the half-sphere. Measure your actual containers before making the ring, since dimensions may differ.
- Install the motor assembly. Secure the motor in its modified mount and assemble the wheel, O-ring, screw, washers, and nut to create the eccentric mechanism.
- Mount the controls and head. A bracket adapted from an adjustable candelabra socket holds the potentiometer and switch; a bent strip of metal is another option. The spice container forms the head, with a knob attached to the potentiometer shaft. Drill eye holes, and optionally place vellum behind them.
- Wire and test the circuit. Assemble the circuit on circular perfboard and connect it to the motor and potentiometer. Test motor operation before closing the base. The battery sits beneath the perfboard, so arrange components carefully and avoid connections along the center strip that could cause a short.
Choose a coupling-ring method
| Method | What it involves | Fit and material considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Lathe-turn machinable plastic | Turn the ring to suit the can and half-sphere. | Make: reports that its machinable plastic was finicky and melted somewhat; Light says he would likely choose Delrin for another build. |
| 3D print | Fabricate the ring as a printed part. | The project names this as an option but does not specify a material, print settings, or tested fit results. |
| Stack laser-cut rings | Build the required height from stacked rings. | The project names this as an option but does not provide tested performance comparisons or a material specification. |
Whichever method you use, fit the ring to the actual containers rather than relying on the approximate dimensions as universal measurements.
Rank #2
- Pay attention: Please read the instructions or pictures carefully, use the correct circuit diagram to avoid short circuit, short circuit will produce high temperature and Causing accessory damage
- Shaft Propeller Aperture:2mm/0.078"; Diameter:60mm/2.36"; Number of vane:4 vane and 3 vane;colour:Red & Blue & Yellow&Green&Clear(Random Color)
- DC Motors Color:Siler+Red;Voltage:DC 3V-12V;No-load speed: 9000RPM- 25000RPM ±10%; Motor Body Diameter:27mm/1.06";Shaft Size:10x2.0mm/0.39"x0.08"(L*D);Motor Body Length;38mm/1.46"
- High torque Strong magnetic Brushed Electric 130 MOTOR, can be used for Science Educational models, DIY STEM toys, etc. It is recommended to use a 3V battery drive to avoid high-speed operation affecting the motor life
- Package including:18pcs DC motor,18pcs 9V Battery Clip Connector,18pcs 2 x AA Battery Holder,18pcs motor mounting bracket,18pcs boat rocker switches,36pcs x electronic wire(25cm),24pcs Plastic wheels，12pcs 2*100mm shaft,12pcs 4 vanes propeller,6pcs 3 vanes propeller and 3pcs 40cmΦ3 Heat shrink tube
Finishing and adapting the build
Make: lists powder coating, but Light says painting is an alternative. The page does not provide a tested finish comparison. The build also allows practical substitutions: a strip-metal bracket can replace the adapted candelabra bracket, and smaller weights can replace lathe-modified ones. Adjusting the number and weight of washers may help tune the wobble.
Light describes the project as open to adaptation: “There is a lot of machining and electronics work in this project, so feel free to tweak the robot recipe if you have better ideas or techniques.” For the circuit’s background, he cites Dustyn Roberts’ Making Things Move, pages 159–162.
Rank #3
- Pay attention: Please read the instructions or pictures carefully, use the correct circuit diagram to avoid short circuit, short circuit will produce high temperature and cause the battery Holder box to melt
- Color:Siler+Black;Voltage:DC 3V;Rated Speed:24000 RPM
- Motor Body Diameter:27mm/1.06";Mounting Hole Distance(center to center):15mm/0.59",Shaft Size:10x2.0mm/0.39"x0.08"(L*D);Motor Body Length;38mm/1.46"
- Great fun Motor,perfect for mini fan,electric toys and science experiments etc.Will work with many power sources batteries and solar cells work perfectly
- Package including:6pcs DC motor,6pcs battery holder,6pcs rocker switch,6pcs motor mounting Bracket,12pcs 9.8" Electronic wire,84pcs plastic gears(Random Color) ,4 pcs 4 vanes propeller,2pcs 3 vanes propeller and 40cmΦ3 Heat shrink tube
Parts and tools to plan for
Beyond the circuit components, the project’s broader parts list includes circular perfboard, jumper wires with connectors, the pineapple can, half-sphere food form, spice container, knob, motor mount, plastic wheel, machine screws, washers, nuts, machinable plastic, lamp weight, threaded nipple, lamp nuts, bracket, adjustable candelabra socket, and plastic vellum. The listed tools include a center finder, smooth-edge can opener, hand drill and bits, metal lathe, 4-40 and 6-32 taps, powder-coating gun, glue gun, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, soldering iron, and solder.
For the original instructions and their diagrams, see Ben Light’s Wobble Bot project on Make:. The page lists $0–$50 as its project price range, but that figure is not a current parts quote.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Product Description: Our product includes all the accessories on the main picture (about 465pcs), you can refer to our colorful instructions to assemble, at least 16 projects can be assembled, you can also free to create, and share good ideas to other children!
- Benefits of DIY Handicrafts: Keep your children away from electronic products, Improve hands-on ability; Cultivate patience and perseverance; Improve creativity and imagination; Enhance self-confidence; Improve the ability of your children to learn and develop their own skills. They will be very happy when they see the project they assembled move successfully.
- DIY STEM SCIENCE EXPERIMENTATION KIT: This is a very popular electronic science experiment kit that can be a great way to inspire and motivate kids to learn science. We offer a very wide range of accessories for kids to turn new ideas and inventions into reality, and it is also perfect for children's school science, STEM engineering programs.
- PERFECT GIFT: This electric motor kit is suitable for curious kids, which can develop their imagination and creativity as well as exercise their hands-on skills. Cultivate your child's practical ability, so that knowledge is no longer theoretical knowledge
- Pay attention:Suggest to read the instruction manual in detail for assembly，Please control the usage time, use time should not exceed 5 minutes each time, to avoid short circuits. When your project is completed or unattended, it is recommended that you turn off the switch, remove the battery, and store it properly.Tools for super glue or hot melt adhesive for bonding are not included in the kits. Be careful of scald caused by short circuits. The kids must use it under the supervision of adults
Rank #4
- Product Features: This DC motor kit is very helpful to understand the physical knowledge such as motor principle and circuit connection, learn basic circuit design and mechanical structure, and exercise hands-on ability, physical thinking and problem solving ability.
- Product Includes: 6pcs DC Electric Motors 3 -12V 25000 RPM Strong Magnetic;6pcs Motor Mounting Brackets;4pcs 4-Vane Shaft Propellers (2pcs blue + 2pcs red);2pcs 3-Vane Shaft Propellers (1pcs yellow + 1pcs red);4pcs 2*100mm Shafts;6pcs 9V Battery Clip Connectors;6pcs 2 x AA Battery Holders;6pcs ON/OFF Boat Rocker Switches with;8pcs Plastic wheels (4pcs blue + 4pcs black).
- Product Details: Electric Motors: 3V-12V DC; No-load speed: 9000RPM- 25000RPM ±10%; Motor overall dimensions: 24mm/0.95in * 19mm/0.75in * 15mm/0.59in(L*W*H); Cylindrical Shaft Size: 100mm/3.94in * 2mm/0.08"(L*D); Shaft Propeller Aperture: 2mm/0.078"; Diameter:60mm/2.36"; Number of vane: 4 vanes & 3 vanes; Colour: Red & Blue & Yellow&Green&Orange (Random Color).
- Motor Use: High torque Strong magnetic Electric 130 Motors are recommended to use a 3V-12V battery drive to avoid high-speed operation affecting the motor life.
- Product Application: This DC motor kit can be used for Science Educational models, DIY STEM toys, and used in STEM, technology and design courses, easy to meet your project needs. Caution for use: the correct circuit diagram to avoid short circuit, short circuit will produce high temperature and causing accessory damage.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
