Self-taught experimenter diving deep into pulse motors, magnetic induction, and the fascinating science behind DIY electric motors. No gatekeeping — just raw curiosity and high voltage passion.
Watch the newest experiment from the workshop
Nine inch disc, fewer magnets, one 250n solenoid — running at just 0.67V. Papa Bale's leanest pulse motor yet.
Read the Full Breakdown →Get the free PDF guide to building your first pulse motor — parts list, step-by-step instructions, and troubleshooting tips.
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Deep-dives, notes, and commentary on each experiment
One solenoid magnet. 24-magnet rotor. Papa Bale's most modular pulse motor yet — picks up speed with just a touch.
Nine inch disc, fewer magnets, one 250n solenoid. Running at just 0.67V with remarkable efficiency.
Testing coil response at 12V — the violent magnetic reaction, heat buildup, and floating coil experiments.
Working pulse motor using reed switch and 24-magnet array. Runs at 15-20 volts with impressive RPM.
Double helix design with 72 magnets in N-S stagger pattern — preparing the foundation for an ambitious magnetic sculpture build.
Six donut magnets create unique levitation with 40+ second spins using push-pull magnetic forces.
Four friction sources explored with 8 rotations and micro-voltage generation — levitation versus bearing performance.
Core principles most hobbyists overlook: coil timing, back-EMF recovery, transistor selection, and why fundamentals matter.
Push, pull & balance — testing interchangeable discs for magnetic levitation. Key insight: flat is good, tilted is not.
Deep-dive written guides on pulse motors, circuits, and builds
Step-by-step guide with full parts list, coil winding basics, transistor circuit, and tuning tips. Build your first pulse motor this weekend.
John Bedini's famous Simple School Girl circuit explained from scratch — components, bifilar winding, self-triggering, and back EMF recovery.
What back EMF is, why it matters, how to measure it, and how to build a BEMF recovery circuit that actually captures usable energy.
New to the hobby? Here's the quick version.
A pulse motor (sometimes called a Bedini motor) is a type of electric motor driven by timed electrical pulses rather than continuous current. The pulses energize coils at precisely the right moment to attract or repel permanent magnets, creating rotation with remarkable efficiency. They're beloved by DIY experimenters for their simplicity, educational value, and the endless rabbit holes they open up into electromagnetic theory.
Explore the Glossary →