Long ago, when I was in Cub Scouts, one of the projects was to build an electric motor. The parts list was:

1. a plank to form the base

2. several 6 inch nails

3. wire

4. a tin can (as a source of sheet metal)

5. tape

No magnets. But it worked perfectly fine when connected to a dry cell. Adventurous science lad that I was, I decided it would work better when connected to AC. So I attached a power cord and plugged it in.

A loud vibration ensued, and then it burst into flames. My mom wasn't happy.

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WalterBright 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

P.S. I still use tin cans as a source of sheet metal. There was a big storm a while ago, with tree branches whistling by at high speed. (Not a good time to be outside.)

Three holes were punched in the house by the branches, 1-2 inches in diameter. What to do, what to do. I took a coke can, slit it and unrolled it into sheet metal. Then cut a disk bigger than the hole, and epoxied it into place. Worked like a charm, and cost nothing.

I've used coke can metal for shingles and flashing, too. They don't rust.

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fragmede 2 hours ago | parent [-]

there's also a plastic liner on them that I'm sure helps.

	▲	echoangle 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		It also helps that they are made from aluminum which doesn’t rust like iron does.

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Daub 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Been there. Im gonna guess that 90% of HN folk have similar stories to tell.

	▲	WalterBright an hour ago \| parent [-]
		The Cub Scouts in the 1960s were a lot of fun. Each den meeting involved a project. The other one I remember was we each built a kite from scratch. Mine was a bit fragile, and the first gust of wind shredded the sticks and plastic film. But it was still fun! As a teen I built a flame thrower. No, I'm not going to explain how to build one. My dad told me that God looks out for little boys, because otherwise they'd never survive to adulthood. When I was 9, I found a book of his "Rocket Manual for Amateurs". The opening sentence was something like "if you're fascinated by things that burn and explode, this book is not for you." Who could resist a teaser like that? I promptly read it cover to cover. He wouldn't let me buy any of the necessary materials.