I Built a DIY Sex Machine. Here’s My Honest Take.

I made one. Yep, with my own two hands, a drill, and way too many zip ties. I wanted control, a lower price, and to learn something fun. Also, I like knowing what’s inside a thing that runs close to my body. Safety matters.

For a deeper dive into planning the build, parts lists, and detailed safety best-practices, check out How to Build DIY Sex Machines at Home (Safely & Effectively).

I’ve got a longer, photo-heavy version of this build documented over on Service Center Team if you want to see every screw and swear word.

Before I go on: this is for grown-ups only. Be safe, be kind to your body, and stop if anything feels off. Okay? Okay.
For the obligatory legal-and-safety spiel in story form, take a look at this quick read.

What I Used (and What It Cost Me)

I kept it simple and sturdy. Nothing fancy, just stuff I could replace at a hardware store.

  • 12V DC gear motor, 60 RPM with a metal gearbox
  • PWM speed controller with a knob (handheld)
  • 12V 10A power supply
  • Crank arm (aluminum), with an adjustable slot
  • 8mm threaded rod and a U-joint coupler
  • Two pillow block bearings
  • Plywood base (18×24 inches), sanded edges
  • Rubber feet and a yoga mat (noise control)
  • Quick-release adapter for standard toy attachments
  • Inline 5A fuse and a big red kill switch (thumb + foot switch)
  • Zip ties, heat shrink, blue thread locker, and a silver Sharpie

Total: right around $120. Cheaper than most machines I’ve seen, but not “cheap-cheap.”

Build Story: The Part Where I Swear at Screws

I cut the plywood, mounted the motor to a small L-bracket, and added the crank arm. The threaded rod runs from the arm to a sliding block set between two bearings. That gives the push-pull motion. Think sewing machine, but slower and stronger.

Tools I used: a drill, a jigsaw, a set of hex keys, and a level. I marked the stroke range on the arm with that silver Sharpie. I also added rubber feet under the base and set the whole thing on my yoga mat so it wouldn’t migrate across the floor like a tiny robot trying to leave.

One thing I messed up? I started with a rigid coupler. It chattered and squeaked. I swapped to a U-joint to handle, you know, the tiny wiggles that always happen. Much smoother.

Safety First, Always

  • I put a 5A fuse on the positive line. If something shorts, it pops.
  • The big red switch cuts power fast. I wired a foot switch too, because hands are busy sometimes.
  • I rounded all the wood edges. No snags, no sharp corners.
  • I did a 10-minute “no-load” run to check heat. Warm is okay. Hot is not.

If you build one, test it with nothing attached first. Then with a pillow pressing on it. If it can’t handle that, it’s not ready for your body. For an illustrated walkthrough that expands on these precautions, the guide on How to Build DIY Sex Machines: Step-by-Step Guides & Tips is a solid reference.

First Run: Loud? Kind Of. Wobbly? At First.

When I first fired it up, it hummed like a slow blender. My cat left the room. I added more rubber under the feet and a small weight plate on the base. That cut the buzz a lot. Noise felt like a dishwasher—around 60 to 65 dB. Not silent, not wild.

Speed range? From a slow, steady thump to a brisk pace. I marked my favorite range on the knob with tiny dots. For me, the sweet spot sits just below halfway. I like fine control, not jumpy steps.

Stroke length adjusts by sliding a bolt along the crank arm slot. Shorter stroke equals smoother feel and less wobble. Longer stroke is, well, more. I keep it mid-length most days. Consistent, predictable.
Prefer something completely hands-driven? You might get a kick out of the time I cobbled together a homemade sleeve—my candid recap lives here.

Real-Use Notes (Kept Tasteful, Promise)

  • The handheld controller makes all the difference. I can tweak speed without sitting up.
  • I tried it on hardwood. No. It walked. On the yoga mat, it stays put.
  • I ran it for 30 minutes straight. The motor got warm, not scorching. I could hold my hand on it.
  • I used blue thread locker on every bolt that moved. That stopped the “mystery rattle” after week two.
  • After a month, I replaced one cheap bearing with a better one. Smoother, less whine.
  • I store the whole thing in a tote with a towel over it. Looks like camping gear. Which is funny, because it’s not.

Comfort, Fit, and Control

I mounted a small clamp arm so I can adjust height and angle. Picture a camera mount, but with more grip. I don’t change height a lot, but when I do, I want it to stay put. The quick-release adapter for attachments snaps in and out fast, so cleaning is quick.

Speaking of cleaning: the machine never gets sprayed. I wipe the base, unplug it, and clean attachments separately. No water near motors or wires. My dad’s voice plays in my head every time.

What I Loved

  • It’s mine. I know every part and how to fix it.
  • The speed control is smooth, not jumpy.
  • Stable base, thanks to the mat and added weight.
  • That big red kill switch makes me feel safe.
  • Parts are easy to swap or upgrade.

What Bugged Me

  • It’s not quiet. Apartment walls exist.
  • Long stroke can add wobble if bolts loosen.
  • Rigid coupler was a mistake; the U-joint was the fix.
  • Not small. It takes closet space and a tote.
  • The first bearing I picked was cheap; I paid for it later.

Who This Makes Sense For

  • Tinkerers who like builds and don’t mind a little trial and error
  • Anyone who wants fine control over speed and stroke
  • Folks on a budget who still want solid performance
  • People who value a big, easy kill switch and simple wiring

On the opposite end of the spectrum, vacuum-focused experimenters can peek at my misadventures with a DIY pump right here.

If you don’t enjoy tools, wiring, or sanding wood, you might be happier buying a ready-made one. No shame there. For hands-off types who’d rather outsource the tinkering, a specialist like Service Center Team can build or maintain a machine for you.
Alternatively, if you’d rather bounce bedroom-tech ideas off couples who have already road-tested everything under the sun—and maybe meet up for some collaborative experimentation—fucklocal.com/wives/ can connect you with a vibrant network of adventurous local wives sharing candid tips, honest reviews, and opportunities to explore new sensations together.

If you’re closer to Arkansas and want an off-the-shelf experience before you even think about busting out a drill, consider booking a themed suite through Tryst Fort Smith, where fully equipped, discreet rooms let you test-drive high-end machines in a safe, professionally maintained space.

Small Upgrades I’d Add Next

  • A digital RPM readout so I can hit the same speeds every time
  • A quieter motor mount with rubber bushings
  • A nicer quick-release, the metal kind, with a better grip
  • A carry handle on the base board (I learned this the hard way)
    And if internal sensations are more your thing, yes—I once tried carving my own plug and wrote about the blush-inducing results here.

Final Verdict

It’s not pretty. It’s not silent. But it works. It’s steady, safe, and tuned to me. And you know what? That’s the best part. I’d build it again—now that I know which parts to skip and where to spend a bit more.

If you try a build like this, go slow. Mark your settings. Check screws. Listen for odd sounds. Treat your body with care, and treat the machine like it’s a power tool, because it is. That mix—care and curiosity—made this project worth it for me.

– Kayla Sox