TL;DR
A maker describes a simple DIY kinetic sculpture cut from recycled aluminum soda cans that spins when placed above a lamp. The device uses a sharpened wire pivot and the lamp's rising heat to create sustained motion; incandescent bulbs work best, but LEDs can also drive the spinner after warming.
What happened
The author documented a homemade “can spinner” — a lightweight rotor fashioned from the sides or bottoms of recycled soda cans that turns on a fine pivot above a lamp. Construction begins by sharpening a length of steel craft wire (or similar) to form a low-friction point. A disk or patterned blank is cut from a can, a shallow dimple is pressed at its center of mass to seat the pivot, blades are snipped and shaped, and the piece is trimmed until it balances and spins smoothly. The pivot wire is then anchored to the lamp’s shade support or under the lampshade nut. Motion comes from heat rising off the bulb; incandescent bulbs perform best, and LED lamps will work after a few minutes of warming. Over weeks of use, thinner sidewall pieces developed tiny pinholes where the pivot wore through, while parts cut from thicker can bottoms showed no such damage in the same period. The author also shared a gallery of varied shapes made by family members.
Why it matters
- Low-cost, accessible way to explore basic thermal convection and rotational balance using recycled materials.
- Repurposes aluminum cans into a hands-on craft that families can assemble together.
- Requires minimal tools and improvisation, making it approachable for hobbyists and tinkerers.
- Demonstrates practical differences in material thickness and wear for small mechanical pivots.
Key facts
- Spinners are cut from recycled aluminum soda cans, using either sidewalls or can bottoms.
- A sharpened wire provides the pivot point; steel craft wire was used by the author.
- A shallow dimple is pressed at the disk's center of mass to seat the pivot and reduce wobble.
- Small precision scissors are recommended for cutting to avoid distorting the aluminum.
- Pivot wire is attached to the lamp by wrapping around the shade support (harp) or sandwiching under the lampshade nut.
- Incandescent bulbs produced the most consistent motion; LED bulbs can power the spinner after warming for several minutes.
- Thinner sidewall spinners showed tiny pinholes from pivot wear after several weeks; spinners made from thicker can bottoms had not shown the same wear in that timeframe.
- The author and family produced a variety of designs — examples include turbine, propeller, flying wing, and windmill shapes.
What to watch next
- Observed wear where pivot contacts thin sidewall aluminum — small pinholes developed after weeks of use (confirmed in the source).
- Performance difference between bulb types: incandescent bulbs worked best and LEDs required warm-up time (confirmed in the source).
- Long-term durability beyond the weeks observed and optimal pivot materials for extended life — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Convection: Heat-driven movement of air that can create an upward flow capable of imparting force to lightweight objects.
- Pivot: A fixed point or small contact surface around which a rotating object turns, requiring low friction for smooth motion.
- Lamp harp: The metal support that holds a lampshade in place on many table lamps; used here as an anchor point for the pivot wire.
- Center of mass: The point where an object's mass is evenly distributed; positioning the pivot at this point helps reduce wobble.
Reader FAQ
How do these spinners turn?
They rotate from the upward flow of warm air created by the lamp; the rising heat produces enough movement to drive the lightweight aluminum blades.
What materials and tools are needed?
Recycled soda cans (sides or bottoms), a length of wire for a pivot, small scissors, and a blunt tool to make a dimple; options mentioned include steel craft wire, a bench grinder to sharpen, and a pen or pliers for dimpling.
Can you use LED bulbs?
Yes — the author reports LED bulbs can make the spinners turn after warming up for several minutes, though incandescent bulbs worked best.
Are there safety or durability issues?
The author notes sharp aluminum scraps can cause jabs and that thin sidewall spinners developed small pinholes from pivot wear after weeks; beyond those observations, long-term safety or durability details are not confirmed in the source.
Can Spinners 2024-12-24 I came up with these little spinning doodads a few years ago around Christmas, and I haven't seen anything like them online, so I'm writing about them…
Sources
- Show HN: Lamp Carousel – DIY kinetic sculpture powered by lamp heat
- DIY Kinetic Sculpture Powered by Lamp Heat
- Build a Candle Carousel | Science Project
- Spinning Kinetic Sculpture Without Motor Only Spring DIY …
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