Motor for Puffer Fish: FAILURE

So in lieu of inflating my Punk Puffer Fish , I aimed to simply add a pedastal of sorts with a motor inside that would pump back and forth to simulate inflation with a more endearing sound profile I’d say. Leaning into the sculptural elements.

Simply, I thought.

Simply...

So anyways here is my plan to make a crank, using Ben Light’s example as reference.

Planning out and measuring my illustrator elements, I was hopefuly all the bits and bobs I ordered from McMaster-Carr would work for my laser cut components..

And they worked! I was able to assemble!

But wait whats that.. is that .. a MISTAKE?
Yes it is.

The hole that the motor spindle goes into fits the spindle perfectly. Which is bad. Because if it fits the spindle perfectly it can’t spin a wheel without spinning its housing that is perfectly stuck to it. So UH OH THAT SUCKS. And even if that wasn’t an issue (because I did try to fenagle attaching it otherwise) my wheel is BARELY too large to not run into the screws attaching the components of the crank. So cranking method, outta here. No way not happening in this time method.

So Now I had a new idea. Just lean into it. Spin the frame! so if the motor is housed with enough elevation that the downspin wouldn’t hit the ground, it could realistically press up into the puffer fish much like the pump was aiming to do, why not try! Did some quick soldering to make an on switch from the battery pack to the motor!

And I got that to work! I did i did I did!

But then trouble struck me AGAIN.

THE F****** BATTERY PACKS WERE MELTING! I BURNT MY FINGIES!
So that’s where I’m at. I believe it’s on me for housing the wiring/motor in a stand made out of METAL.

Will I be able to solve and fix this tomorrow morning?
I really really hope so.