Building a Wimshurst Machine - HIGH Voltage! PART-1

This would be a great science fair project. This influence machine (one of several) was designed in the 1880's by James Wimshurst. It's an Electrostatic Generator that creates a healthy 7-inch spark. Potentially painful but USUALLY safe.

[TheRecreationalMachinist]

Awesome. I made a Wimshurst machine in my teens with 2 old LPs, some aluminium foil and sewing needles. It kind of worked too. Yours looks like a different animal entirely! I look forward to part 2!

[Jonno-]

Well done! im toying with the idea building the wimshurst machine as well so thats why im here.

I built a style of static machine from plans many many moons ago . A design by author A.D MOORE .

The neutralizing bar as you call it, is what creates the static electricity. The wires on it brush gently against the metal foils on the discs, the friction...creates a tiny amount of static onto each foil.

(also known as triboelectric charging.) kind of like when you charge a party balloon by rubbing it on your hair then stick it to the wall.

[ianfisher]

Phenomenal workmanship. I have been waiting for this.Thank you very much for posting. Looking forward to episode two.

[Lfiero]

Great project and great videos, in the video you actually say what you are doing and why, much better than those that show someone drilling something(no indication of what or why), turning something(no indication of what or why), beating something with a hammer(no indication of what or why) and magically there's a finished item at the end.
BTW, on a BBC show called 'The Repair Shop' Wimshurst's relative, I think a grand nephew, brought into their shop the original machine that he made for restoration. The people at the show are from a museum so the restorations are museum quality.

[antonbrum]

Australia. Great video, I also built some Wimshurst machines and had some great results. Your machine looks awesome. Thanks.

[Preso]

What a machine! Very Frankenstein-esque. I love the oscillating bobbin sander.

[howder]

Great project Mark, We'll have to call you Sparky after this, cheers!

[Johnno-swdm]

Nice I made your last one and I might have to have ago at this one too .I think you got me hooked....Great work thanks.

[pgs]

G’day Winky. Interesting project, you’ve sparked my interest.
Cheers
Peter

[johnmettler]

Neat project Winky, will sure to follow. Thanks.

[jameskirk]

Wonderful and powerful machine with an elegant design, awesome! Thanks a lot for your vids. Waiting impatiently part 2 and 3...👌👍🖖

[RichardDenRooyen]

like your machines.... now up to part 2 👍

[jonsworkshop]

Hi Mark, really interesting project and excellent craftsmanship. Looking forward to the rest of this series, electrifying stuff! Well done! Cheers, Jon

[CNCmachiningisfun]

What a wonderful creation :) .
I really like the way you reversed the spin of the opposing disc, and I am sure that I will emulate it, upon making one here.
Just as a side note, my attention was draw to this by the vacuum cleaner that I use in my machine shop.
It has a stainless steel shell, that collects all of the dry wood dust.
Because it is not earthed, it accumulates a *huge* electrostatic charge, and produces sparks that are loud enough to be heard over the rather noisy motor, and my grunts of pain, upon discharging it ;) .
Thanks kindly for this fine video, and the shocks that I will surely get, as I test my copy of this machine :) .

[ThroughAScannerInfrared]

I'd never seen anything like your drum sander at the end, "willy wonka the whimsical woodworker over here" I said to myself, then noticed your username. Winky Wonka, no disrespect intended, many thanks. You're full of good information

[andyZs]

That is a beautiful machine that you made. Today's video was enjoyable and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. It seems that most videos get about 10% thumbs up and you have over 20% at this point.

[repairrestoreresell]

Another great video!! Winky's Prototype Shop never disappoints. Best of luck, stay

[bradthayer]

Great project. You are one of the few makers on YT who do wood and metal and you do both beautifully. Plus you have some Rube Goldberg genetic material as well :-)

[MattysWorkshop]

Gday Mark, what an an amazing machine, is there a way to measure the voltage of the spark, I’d say it would give you a decent kick, looking forward to part 2, cheers

[Tesla]

Any reason one idler pulley is bigger than the other? Beautiful machine!