Answering some of the questions raised in the production of a previous article led to the development of a simple alternative design for the rotating wire demonstration. Significantly, this demonstration avoids the use of mercury as a conducting liquid. The attempt to explain variations in performance of another model and seeking the best performance for a new one became a catalogue of theoretical and practical activity that illustrates "How science works". Much modern science requires the investment of extensive research facilities and involves large teams of people. Yet, as in Faraday's time, the work described here could be done in a school laboratory or a garden shed. To see only the successful outcome, look at Figure 3 and the description linked to it. (Contains 16 figures, 4 tables, and 2 online resources.)