Useless Box with USB-C

I have always wanted to design my own wonderfully pointless gadget to 3D print! Now powered using USB-C!

How it works: Simply flip the switch to “ON” and watch as a mechanical finger emerges from the box to flip it right back to "OFF" before retreating. That's it. That's literally all it does. And it's absolutely perfect.

Key Features

✨ Modern USB-C Power - Say goodbye to searching for batteries or wall adapters! Powers directly from USB-C source 

🎯 Classic Useless Action - Faithfully recreates the original pointless experience 

⚙️ Reliable Mechanism - Smooth, consistent operation for maximum uselessness 

🎪 Conversation Starter - Guaranteed to amuse, confuse, and delight visitors

Perfect For

• Desk toys that serve no purpose
• Gifts for engineers, makers, and people who appreciate absurdity
• Demonstrating negative feedback loops
• Teaching basic electronics and mechanics
• Adding pointless joy to your workspace

Print Details

• Prints without supports
• The letters in the cover can be printed multicoloured in place or separately and glued

Additional components required

• DC Geared TT motor (220:1 or similar)
• Miniature DPDT (SMTS-202) Switch (5mm thread)
• SPDT Micro switch with a roller
• Female USB-C connector
• Basic wiring (24-28 AWG or similar)
• M2x10 Screw (or similar)
• M3x25 Screw (or similar), 2pcs

Assembly instructions

• Push the USB-C connector into the opening behind the box
• Solder extension leads into the micro switch
• Push the micro switch into the slot in the end stop support, roller facing down

• Fasten the motor and the finger into the motor support using the M2 and M3 screws 

  

• Fasten the DPDT Switch to the cover

• Solder the connections according to the wiring diagram

  

  

• Fasten the preassembled end stop mount, motor mount, and cover using super glue.

• Route the cables through the channel below the end stop mount.

  

   

• Fasten the lid by pushing a piece of filament as a hinge pin

  

✨Additional tips

• The pins in the DPDT Switch are quite small. You can twist the outermost pins to get a little more space for soldering
• Do a dry run to check that everything is working as intended before attaching the finger to the motor and the motor to its mount

🤔 Why Build This?

Because sometimes the most satisfying projects are the ones that accomplish absolutely nothing. In a world obsessed with productivity and efficiency, the useless box stands as a monument to the joy of pure, unadulterated pointlessness.

Warning: May cause uncontrollable giggling, existential questions about the nature of purpose, and an inexplicable urge to show it to everyone you meet.

This design is part of my Gadgets collection. Check it out for more useful prints like this.
https://makerworld.com/en/collections/4371323

If you like the design, consider buying me a coffee or contact me for a custom design inquiry at:

https://buymeacoffee.com/tinkerer_designs

Check out my portfolio:
https://makerworld.com/en/@tinkererdesigns