I've always been fascinated with early electric motors and decided to make something for fun. Probably doesn't fit in this forum except to say that most of metal work was definitely done "neanderthalish" (i.e. hacksaw, file and elbow grease) though I did have use of my drill press.
Mostly made from some salvaged brass (the brass ring was cut from a rough in valve I replaced in our shower), and mild steel that I flame blued.
The base is made of Chechem (Black Poisonwood).
The turret looking part acts as a cam that closes the points at the proper time to energize/de-energize the electro magnets as each of the bolt heads on the brass ring approaches.
The points swing on an arm held in place by the brass thumb screw to adjust timing. The brass screw on the side adjusts point closure duration.
It actually does run.
It does absolutely no useful work, and has no useful purpose other than it was fun to build and I like watching it spin. I probably like it for the same reason I like to try and make tools, i.e. I like things made of brass, steel, and wood.