I really want to invent something, any DIY starting kits?

vavavoom · 23 Dec 2008

Hey Guys,

I have always seen myself as a visionary and have so many ideas that could change the world. I have been to many invention shows and joined an inventors club for a short while but didn't really get anywhere.

I want to build electrical and mechanical devices. But I have no experience except I read a lot on the internet about the subject. I am a fast leaner. Also I would like to build original inventions, things that haven't been done before. Things that are small, affordable and don't require pics, programmers, PCB's, I want to create something with cogs and a simple circuit with an on and off switch.

Could anyone aid me in what tools I would need to create a small workshop in my home to create these simple ideas of mine, and how much expense would it cost me?

any help much appreciated

Many many thanks

bananaspark · 23 Dec 2008

Lathe, tig welder, vices, clamps, bench drill, metal bender/cutter, solder station,
angle grinder, impact wrench, oil free air compressor (50 litres).

2 grand should be enough, or better still ram raid your local machine mart

b/

EdwardCurrent · 23 Dec 2008

Hello vavavoom,

You could start off by reading the 'invention please' thread in 'trade talk'.

. //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=160138

Failing that there's always Scrapheap Challenge or Robot Wars !! ??

Ed

TicklyT · 23 Dec 2008

I think Bananaspark's budget is a bit optimistic.
I would swap his impact wrench and maybe his angle grinder for marking out and measuring tools eg square, rule, vernier, DTI, surface gauge and micrometer.

I would probably put a small lathe and drill press near the top of the list, and leave everything else until I find I really need it.
Most workshops develop as the users skills and areas of interest develop, very few are bought 'off the peg'

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/, amongst others, has a selection of useful 'toys'

ban-all-sheds · 23 Dec 2008

I have always seen myself as an author and have so many plot ideas. I have been to many writing shows and joined a writers club for a short while but didn't really get anywhere.

I want to write military espionage and aviation action stories. But I have no experience except I read a lot on the internet about the subject. I am a fast learner. Also I would like to come up with original scenarios, things that haven't been done before.

Any help much appreciated.

2scoops0406 · 23 Dec 2008

2scoops0406 · 23 Dec 2008

I just invented a time machine. Sorry you all have to give up now, because if your invention's any good, I'll just invent it before you. I'd love to tell you all this weeks lottery numbers, but you know causality and that would affect the result. However you can rest assured that I am now unbelievably rich.

sparkyspike · 23 Dec 2008

Collaboration's what you need (if you want to be a record-breaker, yeah).

vavavoom · 23 Dec 2008

Many thanks for your replies

I will look into those tools, I'm not going to spend £2000, I will work on what tools I need.

tim west · 23 Dec 2008

2scoops0406 said:
I just invented a time machine. Sorry you all have to give up now, because if your invention's any good, I'll just invent it before you. I'd love to tell you all this weeks lottery numbers, but you know causality and that would affect the result. However you can rest assured that I am now unbelievably rich.

I knew that LHC device would cause nothing but trouble

ban-all-sheds · 23 Dec 2008

vavavoom said:
Many thanks for your replies

I will look into those tools, I'm not going to spend £2000, I will work on what tools I need.

It may be 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration, but without that 1% the rest is worth SFA.

You need to decide in what field you think the 1% will strike, and then find a way to develop your skills in the 99%. So if you think that the 99% will involve small mechanical development, take up model engineering. If you think it will be electronics based, take up electronics, if you think it will be a new software paradigm, take up software development.

But whatever it is, I suspect that the days of the dilettante polymath are long gone, and that no matter how much of a visionary you are you will need to have a good awareness of the state of the art and the experimental directions going on in whatever field you think you have an aptitude for your vision to be of any value.

Here's one example - Trevor Bayliss would never have come up with the wind-up radio if he hadn't understood the limitations and logistical problems surrounding the distribution and supply economics of dry cells to power conventional radios.

"Build a better mousetrap etc" may well be true, but you have to know in what way conventional mousetraps are lacking and how your 1% inspirational visionary alternative will address those shortcomings to the extent that the 99% development will be worthwhile and will lead to an actual product for which people will beat a path to your door.

DESL · 24 Dec 2008

You are best spending your money on Patent Office searchs as soon as you have an idea.

Believe me you'll be surprised at what has already been thought of.

mattylad · 24 Dec 2008

How about inveing a "DIY starter kit for inventors" ? lol
Oh no, thats my idea now

I thought that inventing was all about having the ideas first, then sorting out the patents & prototypes.
You won't know what tooling you need till you have had the idea & thought about it, sketched it etc.

While I was at the loo t'other day having a pee I looked at the air freshener can sat on top of the window sill, saw the brown rust ring on the sill (the can got wet when someone had a shower) and thought, why don't I invent little rubber caps for the bottom of aerosol cans to stop this, it must happen in many houses.

So I mentioned it to the wife & she said she would just put a mat down instead.... lol

You also need support from your family

bananaspark · 25 Dec 2008

TicklyT said:
I think Bananaspark's budget is a bit optimistic.
I would swap his impact wrench

the best place to start building things inspired by wylie kyote's aquisitions from acme corporation are in my view...abandoned washing machines

(sensors, actuators, pumps, timers, clips, ducts etc...etc...)

the impact is useful in dismantling these, and if all else fails it sure makes everyone around you think you're busy out there in that shed

b/

breezer · 25 Dec 2008

bananaspark said:
acme corporation

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I really want to invent something, any DIY starting kits?

EdwardCurrent

2scoops0406

2scoops0406

sparkyspike

breezer

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