Construction of our next machine is well under way, but I couldn’t wait to share the design for the new base. Our first machine used some scrap wood to create a heavy, rear-weighted base to support the pegboard. It worked, but the unbalanced weight made it challenging to move, and two people were needed to carry it.
We wanted a design that was extremely stable, cost-effective to build, and easily transportable. Evan and I are building some machines for local school districts to use in their classrooms, so ease of transport is an important consideration. Having a system that one person can comfortably pick up and move is ideal. After several prototypes, this is the design we chose. $12 in parts, and it feels like it’s bolted to the surface it’s sitting on. To keep the pegboard from flexing, there is some lightweight rear bracing. The entire unit can be picked up and moved comfortably by a single person.
Several of the components for Machine No. 2 have already been designed, but we won’t be revealing those until the machine is completed. In the meantime, here are some pictures of the new base and rear bracing.
