Examples of Very Specific, Highly Complex Devices

By the way if you have any ideas of "cool" things to disassemble tell me some if they are not extremely expensive.

Try yard sales, and junk yards. If your really lucky you will find an old vacuum powered windshield wiper motor. With a little bit of jury-rigging, you can hook it up to the vacuum cleaner to make it work.

Better start saving to buy that kid some kits to put together. Or at least some puzzles to keep him occupied. What does he like, mechanical, electrical, or everything?

P.S. Better watch your watches, especially any old mechanical ones. I speak from experience on that one!

hey Tedi

check out the stuff at WIMS-ERC.

Start a business http://www.rebuildingcenter.org/deconstruct/faq.htm with office machines instead

You may find eureka at the recycling center.

Complex device? Try almost any kind of test equipment.

Something to take to pieces? An old hard disk drive: see this comment:-

http://cr4.globalspec.com/comment/429682/Re-Magnetic-Metal-Repulsion-Possible

Specific, Highly Complex Spacecraft. You probably can't find one for your kid, but there are some in museums. As a youngster, I was turned on by airplanes and built lots of models. I converted a glow-plug motor to steam. In following aircraft technology, I learned a lot of history. (example: the Germans during WW-1 stopped using rotary aircraft engines because of the British blockade cutting off their supply of castor oil lubrucants)

http://www.secretlifeofmachines.com/

The Secret Life of television series was an inspiration for ripping things apart and very educational, demonstrating the underlying principle beautifully. My favourite bit was when they sent a fax using two lathes as fax machines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Machines

a photocopier is superb for ripping to bits, although slightly large.

Ferrara fire Equipment makes a fire engine with the movable arm from a Gradall mounter on it. It is designed for times when it is desirable to force something like a wall or roof to open. This is the best picture I could find on short notice. Enjoy.

Ferrara Strong Arm ID: HP- 4740 Sale Price: Call For Price

DEMO DESCRIPTON • Inferno Custom Chassis • Cummins ISL-400 • Allison 3000EVS • Hale QMAX 1500 GPM Pump • Strong Arm Telescopic/Articulating Boom • Fifth Man Nozzle • Remote Control Aerial Package • Heavy Duty Extruded Aluminum Body • Whelen Warning Lights Similar Unit Pictured