I've got this sign for the bar I'm building in my garage. I want to build a table to put it on and I'd like the whole assembly to spin. I know it can be done but I don't know how to do it. There must be something out there that allows for this. Any clues?
Think slot car for the lights. Gear reduction motor from a scrapped Christmas decoration like a wire framed animated deer. That would spin the light, but not the whole table.
Will do my best here. At the base of the pipe you will need a non conductive disk with two brass rings of differant dia. You will connect the lite wires one each to each ring. The power supply makes contact with a brush of sorts that rides on the rings. Hope this makes sence.
Yes, I should have been more specific. I only want the light to spin, not the table. Can I get these parts at a big box hardware store or ??? Too early to steal Christmas reindeers.
Very cool fixture! It's for your bar, right? Simple way to make it spin is mix the drinks stiffer, eventually the entire room will spin
Research a "brush block", for an electrically de-iced aircraft propeller. It'll give you some ideas........................Spring loaded carbon brushes, against copper or brass rings, to transfer the electricity.
Check out a rotating Christmas tree stand. They usually have two electrical outlets to plug the lights into and they rotate at the correct speed (around 6 rpm) to suit your needs. They can be found in the $40-$50 range (not cheap), but it will be "plug & play" ready to use! Jim
If you want the real deal: http://www.mercotac.com/ I have used these for the telemetry cables for underwater ROV's and hardhat diving telemetry umbilicals, robots, and a bunch of art projects.
Well you've got two different electrical needs going on here, illumination and rotation. Sounds like you've the illumination part sorted out with the rotating brush and contact setup. Now as far as rotating it, I can only guess at what this thing weighs. At first I thought about using maybe using some parts of an old phonograph turntable. Might have to jury-rig some pulleys or gears to get the speed you want and don't know how long it might live with the load you might be putting on it though. Then I thought about the turntable part of a microwave oven. It turns fairly slowly and you ought to be able to pick up a used one cheaply enough. Might handle weight better too. But then I had a real brainstorm! How about the motor and gearbox assdembly off an outdoor BBQ grille that had the rotisserie built into it? Those turn pretty slowly and can probably handle the weight pretty well. Or maybe you've already figured out the rotating part. In which case you just need to make sure you post a video when you get this whole show fired up.
and the reel drop light will have contacts too, but that christmas tree deal is probably the best answer, since it spins and conducts to the lights. Walmart, but you get the idea http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...16640&adid=bzv_fb_revshr_001#Item+Description
This was originally a sign, so the best source for a rotator would be a sign supply. Most of the above suggestions would be too light duty to last.
Yup, like he said. Sign supply is probably best. But if you want it cheap and DIY... If you had an old alternator that would be a source of the slip-rings and brushes.
Check out ceiling fan motors. Rummage sale units are practically and stores have them on sale, this time of year.
Unclescooby, Nice sign. What is it from, and how much does it weigh? Good luck. Wish I could offer some help, but I don't know a lot about old signs--just think they're cool.
mirror ball motors sometimes had a outlet on the side. i would geuss this would spin pretty slow. there used to be a company that made motors that would spin slow for store displays, watch's ,jewlery, that kind of thing. they had oulets on the side for lights. you could make the part inside yourself, it's called a commutator ring. brass rings or tracers mounted to phenolic, then brushes or feelers rub on the rings and transfer power. go to a place that sells disco or entertainment lighting or look on e-bay for a peice called a spinner. they have the base you need, allthough spinners spun about 50 to 60 rpm's maybe to fast, but you could get the parts out of it. hope this helps!
Air bag clocksprings are just wound wires. Cannot spin, they'll break. Fab up something with a GM alternator and brushes, thats your best bet. If you want it motorized, check out DJ suppliers or maybe Spencers or Party City for rotating lights.
Sorry, no suggestions but I like the idea of drinking until the room spins... Looking forward to some video of the finished project though!!!
Now is the best time to check out your local Goodwill store for Christmas decorations.They started putting them out in August.I get all my Xmas stuff there.Pennies on the dollar, and you don't feel like you've wasted a ton of money when you have to fix it. My mechanical reindeer worked, until it didn't.
BBQ grill rotisserie motor from the hardware store. Thats what we used to build a motorcycle gas tank cleaner. (more like a tumbler). They are cheap, and low profile. You can tap into it for power too if you are comfortable with electricity. http://www.amazon.com/GrillPro-6001...?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1319315454&sr=1-31 Jon
Look for a fractional horsepower gear motor. It wont take much to turn it. Like this one: http://www.surpluscenter.com/Item.asp?catname=electric&item=5-1766
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