Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

spider-bro t1_isycoee wrote

The bumper mechanism from a pinball machine could do it (with the bell removed).

1

tragic-majyk t1_isycsv9 wrote

Treadmill motors are widely available and have the necessary torque you're going to have to Fab up a oblique cam for it though

1

paulmarchant t1_isycu8e wrote

It's a case of re-purposing a cheap readily available item.

If you got hold of an old desktop fan (with the oscillation function), removed the blades and MacGuyvered the fan to the floor and the chair, would that work?

It'd give a spookily slow rock, which might be good, might be bad...

11

CathodeRayNoob t1_isydd7z wrote

I like the oscillating fan idea.

Another simple solution would be a little servo just pushing a rod into the ground. You could choose the speed that way using an arduino.

5

PercMaint t1_isyr300 wrote

Also for added oddity, if you can find a way to use a motion sensor in reverse. The chair rocks until they start to walk towards it and then starts when they walk away. Might create the feeling of "I thought it was rocking..."

3

ShelfordPrefect t1_iszecgb wrote

If you have a suitable low voltage power supply, the best price/performance ratio might come from a cheap cordless drill. I saw an instructable years ago where someone was using a drill turning a roller rubbing on a bike wheel for a slow reciprocating effect.

2

Rhebala t1_iszlezr wrote

There was a cradle called the rock and play (it’s been recalled) that had a tiny motor that rocked it. It just pushed a little arm on the ground to rock the device. Ask your friends who had babies before the recall (2019, I think) if they still have this in their attic somewhere.

1

Bogmanbob t1_iszqj74 wrote

Be careful though. What you are making is what we call a crush hazy in industry and little kids like to explore.

1

secretagent420 t1_iszsvwd wrote

You may also be able to use a weighted rotating motor, like this old wacky weasel toys.
Strap it to the chair and the momentum of the moving weight should create an odd rocking effect

1

Gfercaks33 t1_iszudkw wrote

Replying to iridebikes2 (#145,921)

Not as hard as you think, cars use 12vdc everything so all you need it to step down from 110ac, aka a wall wart or power supply found on say a router. Cut the barrel connector off find the positive and negative with a multimeter and put the positive and negative to the wiper motor

1

Guygan t1_iszy155 wrote

Your submission has been removed for one or more of the following reason(s):

  • You are asking how to "get started" on a project.
  • You are asking for a review of your overall plan for a project.
  • You are asking what is the best method or approach to a project.
  • You are asking whether or not you should do a project.
  • You are asking for advice on what project you should make ("what can I make within my budget?")
  • If you have a project in mind, please do some basic research on the matter, come up with your plan, then you can ask about a specific aspect of the project.

We want you to get the help you're looking for. If you have any of these questions, some places to get help are:

  • Ask your question in our Discord server in the appropriate channel.
  • You may also try other subreddits - /r/homeimprovement, /r/woodworking, /r/electronics or /r/findareddit to help you find a subreddit applicable to your question.

Please read our Full Sub Rules before resubmitting.

If you believe this was a mistake, please message the moderators.

###Do not respond to this comment - you will not receive a response.

1

Bogmanbob t1_iszy4ih wrote

Replying to iridebikes2 (#147,265)

I meant crush hazard (typo) if it’s not a weak motor that will easily stall under force or has a bunch of fancy expensive safety sensors. My worry is any motor drive strong enough to rock a chair may also be strong enough to do some harm.

2