Overengineered Mechanical Gadgets

Humorous comments on a complex device with numerous moving parts, joking about its fragility, toy-like nature (e.g., fidget spinners), unreliability, and alternative uses like bike locks or weapons.

📉 Falling 0.5x Hardware
6,222
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#322
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
16
2008
26
2009
63
2010
108
2011
124
2012
143
2013
223
2014
203
2015
198
2016
248
2017
304
2018
368
2019
385
2020
456
2021
570
2022
642
2023
773
2024
667
2025
652
2026
55

Keywords

gettyimages.com ANTHRAX DISPENSERS shake injected knife assembly boxes stuck balloons look like joints falcon

Sample Comments

Animats Jun 9, 2015 View on HN

This thing has a lot of moving parts.

nope96 Sep 18, 2021 View on HN

wouldn't this need some sort of lubricant, or it would wear down over time?

beeflet Nov 5, 2025 View on HN

every box is a screwdriver away

cozzyd Dec 28, 2024 View on HN

Handle has retractable spikes (digitally retractable mincers, perhaps?) to promote compliance.

yuppie_scum Mar 27, 2021 View on HN

Think of all the alibaba fidget spinners stuck on that thing

greesil Jul 21, 2020 View on HN

This would be great for bike locks!

mgarfias Jan 4, 2026 View on HN

these look like they have ... other uses.

felideon Oct 14, 2024 View on HN

Make it a fidget toy and you're onto something.

moffkalast Jun 20, 2024 View on HN

"Some assembly required. Batteries not included."

bananamerica Dec 20, 2020 View on HN

This dial has more than two positions, you know...