Make a Robot Lamp (using Discarded Speakers and a Colander)

This is my first project as Artist in Residence on Instructables. I'm just discovering how to find stuff in this city, so I started working with a small box of e-waste kept by the Instructables staff. Thanks guys!

I found a big speaker and four small ones with the same decoration, so I decided to make a robot lamp. I made the head with a colander found in the back alley of a Chinese restaurant (don't ask).

NOTE: Yes, I know I put the left speaker is in the right arm and the right speaker is in the left arm. "L" for "left" and "R" for "right" is so mainstream...

CAUTION: Be careful. We will work with AC current and you know it's risky. Take all the safety measures.

I used the following stuff:

• 1 big speaker (Logitec): the body
• 2 small speakers with footing (Logitec): the arms. The footing makes a great robot hand.
• 2 small and rectangular speakers (Zenex): for the legs
• 1 Plastic colander (same size of big speaker's top)
• 2 corner brace inside L (2in. x 5/8in.)
• 4 corner brace inside L (1in. x 1/2in.)
• 1 energy-saving compact fluorescent bulb
• 1 light socket with wires (or with screw terminals. As you wish)
• 1 switch
• Nuts, screws and bolts
• Iron washers
• Wire
• Steel cable (for the antennas)
• 6 plastic beads
• Superglue (cyanoacrylate)
• plastic wheels for chairs
• Weight (for balance. I used a discarded harddrive)

TOOLS

Dremel Rotary Tool
tweezers
screwdivers
scalpel
pliers
Wire cutters
Screwdriver kit
Soldering Iron


And don't forget:

1. If you don't have it, replace it!
2. Use protective equipment (dust mask and goggles)
3. Beware of drilled and soldered hot surfaces
4. Work in a good ventilated area.
5. Always have junk in stock.
6. Have fun.

Dismantle the big speaker. Remove everything inside, leaving the box inner structure. Keep the front panel, the back panel and the speaker's power cord.

Take both rectangular speakers, the four 1in. x 1/2in. corner braces and the screws. With the ruler, find the center of the speaker's bottom and mark the place where the legs will be. check stability. Now mark where the drill holes will be. use the Dremel, drill and attach the legs to the bottom of the big speaker.

Take the speakers and remove the wire and the front part. The footing will be the robot claws. Screw the 2in. x 5/8in. on each side (those will be the shoulders). Screw the arms on each side, using washers for a better articulation. Check stability.

It's a simple circuit with the speaker's power cord, the switch and the light socket. Arrange the power cord long enough for connecting to the socket wires. Insert the switch on one of the back holes and connect the wires as shown on the pictures. Solder and cover the unions with insulating tape.

Attach back front a back panels. Put some decoration. I screw at the fron panel a grill from a power source.

Personalize your robot's head. Use the steel wires for antennas and the plastic wheels for eyes.

Put the light bulb in the socket. Turn ON and OFF for proving the lamp. Attach the head to the body and... you have your Robot Lamp!