SparKIT

1,286 orders since Mar 21, 2017

Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Ships from New Zealand.

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Overall Rating:

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.77)

Documentation: (4.53)

Shipping: (4.36)

Communication: (4.54)

All Reviews

Daniel | June 25, 2024

Best Static Generator In its Class!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

Good luck finding a high voltage static generator for this price anywhere else!

It was easy to assemble with basic soldering equipment and skills and worked right away.

Documentation for where to put washers could be clearer, but it still works great.

PS: Shipping time to PA, USA (from NZ) was 15 days from placement of order, 14 days from package collection by courier.

Response from SparKIT | June 25, 2024

Thanks for the great review! We will update the instructions with clearer washer placement at next publishing.

François | Nov. 28, 2023

Nice spark generator!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

It was delivered sooner that expected (to France).
The assembly needs some focus and precision but it was well documented and it worked on the first try.

Hans Jørgen | Sept. 6, 2023

Charming and brilliant little kit

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I have scratch built bigger Wimshurst machines in the past and also refurbished an older one, but I still could not resist buying this charming little kit. The design is really elegant and well thought out. The build process took maybe 30 minutes. Considering the size of the machine, it is producing rather impressive arcs. It's the perfect little desktop toy :)

Shipping from New Zealand to Norway took 17 days including local delays for customs clearance.

Response from SparKIT | Sept. 6, 2023

Thanks for the great review, we hope the machine gives many years of pleasure!

Thank you also for providing information on shipping times, this is always helpful for other customers.

Aaron | Dec. 7, 2022

Amazing and Highly Recommend!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

As an engineering student, I became interested in electrostatics and the modern applications that could be developed. The SPARKIT is worth it’s price and more, since it’s safe to handle (other high voltage DC power supplies I have in the lab are 30,000 volts at 300 watts, another 300,000 volts at 15,000 watts), and needless to say I prefer using the kit with 2 AA batteries for small experiments like Taylor Cones and so forth. Mostly to get ideas and try small things safely but with a beautifully engineered Wimshurst machine. Can’t go wrong, and it’s an excellent generator.

Mike | Aug. 6, 2022

Great kit! Fun to build and fun to watch.

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

It took a while for it to arrived in the US, but it was worth the wait. The brushes were a bit difficult to solder as they kept falling through the hole, but easy to work around. The instructions indicated that there should be a flat washer between the spacers and one of the frame boards. I didn't have enough washers to do this so I left them out. I realized that the feet wouldn't go on the frame with the spacers in place anyway.

Thank you for making this kit.

Response from SparKIT | Aug. 8, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to review the product, and place such a positive review. All the little tips are useful for other customers.

Yes, it takes things a while to get from New Zealand- even when shipping times are almost back to normal. We'll check the instructions to make sure they are clear about washer positioning- you did get them all in the right place, as the washers should be on the outside of the boards. Wishing you many years of enjoyment!

Michael | July 27, 2022

Absoultely Amazing!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

Wow! 10 Stars! Perfectly packaged! Very well constructed. Perfect after minor adjustments as described in the manual. Arc achieved over 1.5 cm. Spinner is perfect, especially in the dark! Great Documentation! Thank You so very much!

Response from SparKIT | Aug. 8, 2022

Thanks for the great review, we hope you will get many years of pleasure from the machine!

Tamer | June 18, 2021

Fantastic little kit!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

This is a very clever little Wimshust machine kit! It's a very smart design, which goes together very easily and works great.

I will be buying a few more as Christmas presents for sure.

Erhan | June 5, 2021

I like the product

For Corona Spinner

I was satisfied with this product. I also want to buy Mini Electrostatic Generator but currently not allowed to ship Turkey

Jerry | May 15, 2021

Highly Recommended!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

This review is for the fully assembled option; I did not purchase the kit.

I was very satisfied with this product and the service. The device worked as promised right out of the box!

And, I highly recommend this mini Wimshurst machine for anyone who is interested in the subject of electrostatic generators.

-- JS

Shane | April 24, 2021

Quickest delivery I've ever received. Great price. Fun produ

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

Quickest delivery I've ever received. Ordered one night, arrived the next morning. Great price. Fun product

Response from SparKIT | April 26, 2021

It's helpful when you live in the neighborhood!

Simon | Feb. 2, 2021

Well made, good instructions, works well.

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I first saw this kit reviewed on You tube (Plasma channel). They raved over it, I saw that it was made in NZ and was very reasonably priced. This generator is a Wimshurst machine and I had made one many years ago using old records and Leyden Jars for capacitors, It worked but was very cumbersome. The SparKit is very well constructed and the capacitors were well hidden. When first tried the Sparkit did not charge due to a slightly damp atmosphere but worked as soon as a charged piece of plastic water pipe was placed near the Sparkit.
This kit is highly transportable and at a safe voltage and as such is ideal for use in schools, there are many experiments which can be done with this kit to demonstrate electrical properties.
I highly recommend this kit to anyone interested in a modern take of a classical machine which was once used to supply high DC voltages to early hospital X-ray machines.

Thomas | Jan. 15, 2021

Really satisfied

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I bought the machine already built. It has come from the other side of the world and yet needed only a few adjustments to work perfectly.

I have had a bit of trouble with shipment (mainly because of Covid-related restrictions) but Luka has been really supportive.

Response from SparKIT | Jan. 16, 2021

Thanks for the positive review! Yes, Covid has affected shipping to many countries, and we're hearing of shipping times stretching out to many weeks from customers. Glad to hear everything worked out in the end.

Evette | Nov. 19, 2020

Travelled far but worth the wait

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

My 12 year old grandson built (unsuccessfully) this and then needed new parts. I ordered it pre-built and hoped he would be happy. He was overjoyed! He's bending water and testing everything. This is a great idea and worth the time waiting for arrival.

Response from SparKIT | Nov. 19, 2020

Thanks for the review, and glad to know it arrived safely. We look forward to hearing about the reconstruction of the first one with the replacement parts!

Chris | Sept. 23, 2020

Brilliant machine!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I’m the worst at soldering! It still works, so good!! Good sparks, easy to build,.........................................................

Michael | Aug. 20, 2020

Fun kit

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

This is a great little kit, easy to put together and well built components. Shipping to the US took a little while, but well worth the wait.

David | Aug. 14, 2020

Waste of money!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I bought two of this Kits but non made any spark! It's too small in design and is not practical so If you are looking for real Wimshurst machine which can produce some decent electrostatic spark don't buy this product.

Response from SparKIT | Aug. 14, 2020

Sorry to hear you had problems.
We are always happy to work through any issues customers have, and so far have 100% success working with them to get their machines running.
Sparks should be 17 to 20mm long, as described.
We suggest you get in touch, and we'll help out.

Paul | July 30, 2020

Great kit, nice to make, well explained

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

This is a really good way of understanding a Wimshurst electrostatic generator. Not difficult to build with great instructions and an ideal demonstrator unit. A real thrill when it come to life. I would recommend this kit to anyone . I love the electric motor drive idea, nice touch and enables you to focus on what's actually happening. I would love to see a larger version now. Thank you and we'll done.
Regards Paul

Jh | July 15, 2020

Nice machine

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

It took about a month for delivery from New Zealand to Holland, but it was worth the waiting. A very nice machine that works well. I found it easy to build though some solder experience is required. It took me about an hour to build it and was very happy that it worked well right from the start.
I'm very happy with my first electrostatic generator and I will recommend it to my friends for sure!

Response from SparKIT | July 15, 2020

Great to see your success with it! thanks for the great review.

David | July 3, 2020

Innovative gizmo for the science student & curious minds.

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

Received my SparKIT in a timely manner and at a very reasonable cost. Read instructions first and then proceeded to build kit. Took me about 1 1/2 hours to complete. Worked perfectly the first time. Very well engineered & a pleasant challenge to construct. Brought back memories of my father showing me various experiments with electricity many decades ago. The sight & crackle of the spark leaping from one terminal to the other is quite mystifying as well as didactic.

Tindie is to be congratulated on the many useful and entertaining products it has developed.

Dave Pettrow

John | June 25, 2020

Fantastic and fun!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

Was quick to assemble and worked great the first time. Have had fun showing it off and kids have a blast playing with it. Had to e-mail the link to several folks who want them for school projects. Does take quite a while to arrive in Alaska, but was well packaged and arrived safe. Highly recommended!

Csaba | June 15, 2020

It is a very well done kit.

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

Every part is very well designed and done.
The documentation is also very good.
It takes about 45 minutes max for a beginner to compete the kit, which worked from first time I have started it.
The sparks length are 1.5-2 cm, definitely more than 1 cm ( and of course occur more often if the gap is smaller like 1 cm)
I recommend the kit.

Response from SparKIT | June 15, 2020

Thanks for the great review, we're pleased to see you had a good result and hope you continue to use it for a very long time.

James | June 10, 2020

Havent got anything good to say about Corona Spinner

For Corona Spinner

OK you lot, you want a review, go and read my last review.
Sick and tired, fed up to the back teeth waiting and waiting and waiting for it to turn up, when it turns up I will give an up to date review
.

Response from SparKIT | July 14, 2020

This order was shipped within 2 days and received by the customer in what was a nominal timeframe considering the disruption to post services due to Covid 19.

James | June 10, 2020

Havent got any good to say about SparKIT so far

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

No doubt I shall enjoy my Mini Electrostatic Generator..................... WHEN IT ARRIVES.

Been waiting for it to turn up since the 20th5th2020, hard to get the message back to the people who ship MY kit to me, WHERE IS IT.
New Zealand is just over the ditch from Australia, only takes me 3 hours to fly between NZ and Aus, should not take so long to post it.

Product (the item has not arrived to review it) I'm very sure it will be excellent.
Shipping (IS DREADFUL 0 stars) shipping needs to be vastly improved
Documentation (What documentation) so far no documentation arrived
Communication (No tracking Number provided) carn't talk by phone or contact by email.

Well you lot asked me to provide feedback, so don't blame me if it is very negative.

When my SparKIT finally arrives, then I can give an update to this review, hopefully that will be OK.

Response from SparKIT | June 10, 2020

Hello James,

Your order was shipped within 2 days of being placed. We (SparKIT) are a small family business, we literally pack the orders and take them to the local post office to ship.

There are severe delays wordwide on the postal service because international airflights are down to a small fraction of pre-covid levels, and this is mentioned on the product page, as well as a link to the postal service information describing particular requirements for various countries (there are many still not processing any incoming mail). We've done our best to make this clear to customers before they place an order.

No tracking number is provided as you selected the non-tracked option. Tracking is only available on international courier, and is provided as an option at cost price to customers. We would love to be able to track all our orders, but it is simply not available at any reasonable cost by any carrier in New Zealand.

The best indication we have on likely delay is by looking at the orders that were placed by tracked international courier around the time of your order, and that indicates a 2 to 3 week delay from when we ship before leaving New Zealand. We would expect Australia Post to have a similar delay at your end.

Lastly, we are not sure why you were unable to contact us, we have checked all our folders for correspondence.

When your kit arrives, if there are any problems whatsoever please don't hesitate to contact us at the email on the back page of the instruction booklet or through the contact page at www.sparkitelectrostatics.com.

Paul | June 9, 2020

Good experience for a second time.

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

This is the second unit I have ordered. Even though the COVID had created a difficult lockdown situation worldwide my troublesome request was catered for. I needed some spares for the first unit and these were thrown in. All of this was done within a time frame much less than I expected. All I can say is thank you.

Response from SparKIT | June 10, 2020

Thanks for the positive review, and the repeat custom. It really was no trouble to cater for your request as we hand pack all the parts anyway. We hope you enjoy the kits.

Seth | March 24, 2020

Good

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

There was a bit of difficulty getting the motorized wimshurst to work. It works great under the proper conditions.

Mark | March 18, 2020

Awesome product!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I’m a “lab guy” in a university physics department (for 38 years), and I’m very happy with this kit. It’s a great design, easy to assemble, and it works great. I have several hand-cranked Wimshurst electrostatic generators, but this little, battery powered and motor driven unit is a shining star! It doesn’t produce as high a voltage or as fat a spark as a typical, much larger unit, but for its size, it does an amazing job! I might order a second unit...

Philip | March 11, 2020

A nice demonstrator of a Hamilton's mill (Corona spinner)

For Corona Spinner

I built a few of these myself form household materials for various physics classes but none of them functioned as well as this unit in terms of rpm.

Bill | Feb. 9, 2020

SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

Great kit to build !!!
It works Great !!!
Easy & fun to build !!!
Highly recommended. Requires supervision when children are present.

Bill

Adam | Feb. 1, 2020

A great piece of kit!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

The kit arrived on time, well protected and complete. Assembling took about two hours (including wheel adjustments) and worked from the first go :)
Lots of fun and experiments done already - the generator triggered a lot of sparks and even more memories.

Thanks from the whole scientifically-biased family! :)

Stuart | Dec. 29, 2019

Awesome Fun!

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I received my kit yesterday. Put it together in less then an hour taking my time. Instructions are great. It fired right up and is fascinating. Thank you SparKIT! Very well made kit.

Merritt | Dec. 22, 2019

Wonderful project. Super quality

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

What a nice idea and quality project. Only disappointment was that I was putting it together for my grandson and ran into a snag. The double sticky tape for the Motor wheels was old or defective and the backing would not separate from the glue. Sent me running off to the store to find a replacement to fabricate. By then the grandson was off to other toys, but that’s just a problem with the impatient American Culture, not this device. Even still, what a magnificent piece of Spark Generating artwork!!

Response from SparKIT | Feb. 4, 2020

Thanks for the great review, and thanks for alerting us to the problem with the tape- doing so allowed us to find a couple more

Garry | Dec. 13, 2019

A wonderful Wimshurst Machine

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

First class service , a well constructed machine .
Built it up and it worked first go ( 2 cm sparks ) .Shocked everyone in the house ( not painful but a laugh ) , i reckon its good for 50 Kv at least
Tried to be an idiot and cranked the motors up to 12V and burnt both out , no real improvement in spark length , just way noisier.
Got replacement motors ( thanks for the info Luka ) , fitted and back working .
On the rare occasion when it wont work i have found it is caused by dust etc, dismantle and wipe down with IPA , so what the say about keeping it clean is VITAL .
All in all a great design , great service and a great fun Wimshurst Machine
Thanks SparKIT
p.s. the Corona spinner kit works very well

Response from SparKIT | Dec. 14, 2019

Thanks for the great review, interesting to hear your journey with overpowering it. Faster rotation will provide more current and more frequent sparks, up to a limit, but the voltage is ultimately limited by the breakdown of the total distance of the gaps between the sectors.

John | Dec. 7, 2019

Shipping Very Poor

For SparKIT - Mini Electrostatic Generator

I had to pay an additional £11.98 before UK Royal Mail (Customs Charge) released the parcel from Sparkit, so I’m not happy with the shipping service and will be taking advice. Apart from that I’m happy with this product.

Response from SparKIT | Dec. 9, 2019

Thanks for making us aware of the UK Royal Mail service's draconian charges(!) We have posted a note on our shipping policy to make future buyers aware of potential duty charges.

Thomas | Nov. 30, 2019

Nice

For Miniature Wimshurst Machine Disks

The mini Wimshurst machine is awesome ... it's easy and quick to assemble. She worked for me right away

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