The Useless Machine – Kit SpikenzieLabs

The Useless Machine is a gizmo that turns itself off when you switch it on. But how? Is there a little stubborn person in the box playing a trick on you? Is it magic? No, it’s a set of switches with a small motor and you get to put together! By building the kit yourself only you will know the secret of how it works. When you show it to your friends and co-workers, keep them guessing – after all you built it, it’s your secret!

Invented in 1952 by Marvin Minsky and sold under various names such as “ultimate machine”, “Leave Me Alone Box” and others. We called ours the “The Useless Machine”.

After many months of design, we are really excited about the clean design and ease of assembly of this kit. Plus, there is no soldering to do, all you need is a simple set of screwdrivers.

The Useless Machine has these great features:

• Easy to assemble
• Now available in two versions!
• No soldering required (Pre-assembled circuit board, use only a screw driver to attach battery and motor wires)
• Soldering required with easy through-hole soldering
• Clean laser cut acrylic design.
• The motor and switch assembly is one piece (The motor, arm, both switches, LED lights and screw on battery terminals are all part of the same activation unit.)
• Two color LED arm lighting (Green LED while the arm is going up and red while it is going down)
• Robust and smooth hinge design

What’s included in the kit?

• Laser cut acrylic case, arm, and motor mount.
• Motor
• Battery holder
• Assembled circuit board with screw terminals for attaching batteries and motor
• Door pre assembled with robust 1/4″ acrylic hinge
• Large Silicone non slip feet
• Hardware pack with screws, bolts, washers, stand-offs, Velcro and nuts
• 20 page build instruction guild with tons of photos.

Not included but necessary to build The Useless Machine

• Small size philips screw driver (x shape)
• Small size flat blade screw driver
• 3 AAA batteries

The The Useless Machine is a really fun kit to put together. But the fun doesn’t end there because everyone will want to flip your switch! Perfect on the desk of a Wall Street executive or for a grade school student doing show and tell. Get one today for you desk or your next show and tell presentation.