# useless box project help **URL:** \ **Category:** General Guidance\ **Created:** [June 21, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936 "2020-06-21T22:37:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![xsteven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@xsteven\_1](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/xsteven_1)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/1 "2020-06-21T22:37:52Z")
hello everyone , i recently saw a video of a useless box that seemed fun to make. I saw video specifically that seemed to have simple components and worked fairly well . I could not figure out what the specific/exact components used were . I know it uses a servo or dc motor but this one seems fairly simple. So here are my questions 1. How can I use a servo without it being connected to an Arduino board at all times? 2. Does anyone know what components are used in the video ? 3. Any other advice on building this homemade toy ? Thank you . here is the video btw : [Most Useless Box Ever! - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6dO1QJtVd8) ![Screen Shot 2020-06-21 at 3.29.52 PM.png](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/6/4/2/6421e24eb891985ea5ff91d407a056c4dbfaa83e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Railroader](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/railroader/32/274550_2.png) [@Railroader](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Railroader)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/2 "2020-06-21T22:44:58Z")
Use the Youtube video and ask the guy? ---
**Author:** ![xsteven\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@xsteven\_1](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/xsteven_1)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 10:57pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/3 "2020-06-21T22:57:08Z")
@railroader turns out he bought the box already assembled so i dont think he would know. ---
**Author:** ![wildbill](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/wildbill/32/1126438_2.png) [@wildbill](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/wildbill)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/4 "2020-06-21T23:07:25Z")
Just google it, you should find others with a better description. As far as I can see, it's usually powered by AA or AAA cells. It uses a switch, a servo and an Arduino. Then you just need to make the box and mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![Railroader](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/railroader/32/274550_2.png) [@Railroader](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Railroader)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/5 "2020-06-21T23:54:15Z")
> xsteven\_: > @railroader turns out he bought the box already assembled so i dont think he would know. Hey there! I have asked questions to soo many Youtubers and I get answers most of the time! Use the comment field or track the home page and write a personal mail! ---
**Author:** ![bluejets](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/bluejets/32/1013044_2.png) [@bluejets](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/bluejets)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 8:50am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/6 "2020-06-22T08:50:57Z")
Built one of the useless boxes for the kids back in Thailand last year. Must be hundreds of different versions around. One I built required a little bit of common sense as to setting up as not every detail was covered however it works fine. [![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/1/1/3/113f5de53669e326b1faa034b9a0160751020189.jpeg "DON'T TOUCH BOX !!! - Useless box with arduino - DIY") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BRDxsO_TuQ) ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_B](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/paul_b/32/216376_2.png) [@Paul\_B](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Paul_B)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/7 "2020-06-22T14:28:11Z")
Just buy the kit. No shortage of them. Note the Arduino is **only** required for the more sophisticated versions which exhibit deliberately erratic/ unpredictable behaviour. 😀 The basic version is simply a gearmotor and microswitch. ---
**Author:** ![hammy](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/hammy/32/238813_2.png) [@hammy](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/hammy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 7:16am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/8 "2020-06-23T07:16:25Z")
Yes ..Some of the complete ones you can buy just use a motor/gearbox with limit switches , and no electronic parts , hard to reproduce. The Arduino based ones are better ( as prev post ) as you can add whatever movements you wish and extra switches etc as your imagination provides in the code. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/useless-box-project-help/661936/9 "2021-05-05T19:15:55Z")