Overengineered Useless Box
by NTC89 · via Thingiverse
| Format | STL |
| Category | Mechanical |
| License | CC BY-SA |
| Uploaded | Apr 3, 2026 |
⬇ 96 downloads
❤ 5 likes
👁 338 views
Description
Here you go with a little Showcase of the box: https://youtu.be/g209CpQfMew?si=QhWaAiUetgGhxPsE Since I had a bunch of mini-servos lying around, I started thinking about how I could put them to good use. After painstaking CAD miniaturization work, I ended up with a sohpisticated Useless Box. We all know the classic Useless Boxes, where a switch keeps being flipped back every time you push it. I wanted to explore what else could be done with such a concept. The result is a mechanical contraption with 7 servos controlled by an Arduino Nano. This project is really compact and went through 3 iterations to become even smaller. This is my first project documentation for the public, so please bear with me if some parts aren’t as well-documented. Most of the components you need ar easy to source. With the Switch we need to see, we might find a better solution. I think together we can create a fantastic project here! Difficulty: This project is definitely suited for more advanced builders, as you'll need to be experienced with assembling mechanical components using 3D-printed parts and small screws. I can also imagine you might need to improvise, especially if you use different components than the ones I used, particularly for the switch. The electronics part is relatively simple, with "just" 7 servo motors and a switch. You can also leave out the two LED eyes if you prefer. The code is moderately complex, and AI helped me out with it, so it can definitely assist you as well. For any additional questions or problems, I'm sure the amazing community will provide plenty of support! ;) Note: One thing I didn’t make myself is the "Monster in the Box." I used DingDing by Michael Reeves for that part. Feel free to create your own little monster if you can! I thought the expression of DingDing was perfect to describe the nature of this useless box, never giving up and therefore beeing a d***.
Originally published on Thingiverse