A jam jar filled with screws and wires.
This is one of the fake bombs that sparked a major security alert in Piccadilly Gardens.
The man responsible for the mass evacuation in Manchester city centre is facing a lengthy spell behind bars.
Thanasis Joel costs businesses up to £500,000 in lost trade.
He left shoppers, workers and emergency services terrified.
The 27-year-old wanted to be interviewed on TV by Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan.
Joel planted a bogus device in a toilet at Oldham Library, before taking two others into the heart of Manchester.
He got off a tram in the city centre, approached a police officer and said he had two fake bombs in his rucksack, along with a hammer, a knife and a ball bearing gun.
He warned a third device had been left at the library, nine miles away.
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As the officer listened, former carpentry student Joel - who has mental health issues and who was sporting a white t-shirt with the names of mass murderers and white supremacists written in black marker pen on the front - said: "They are telling me to harm people and I have had enough."
"I thought they would go away by doing this, but they are there all the time. It is like they are not taking me seriously. I thought this is the only way it is going to happen and I can get arrested."
Army bomb disposal teams carried out a controlled explosion on the device in Oldham before making safe the other two in Manchester during the incident on the afternoon of May 3.
Enquiries revealed the fake bombs were jam jars filled with nails and wires, with watches placed on top.
Police recovered the letter Joel wrote to the TV star and journalist as they searched him at the scene.
It read: "Hello Piers. By the time you get this letter, you will hear of me in the news for what I am about to do. I have mental problems, but we are let down by the NHS and the government.
"I have been hearing voices on and off for a year telling me to kill people so I am doing this to see if the voices will go away.
"I will make fake bombs and put them in Manchester. Long story - I want you to come and see me and do an interview with me for TV like you do in the USA.
In pictures: Piccadilly Gardens evacuated after fake nail bombs planted
"I don't want money, I just want to tell my story. Don't know where I will be. Find me. I will be in prison or mental hospital where I need to be."
Joel told another officer he had planned to plant the two devices at Piccadilly station and the Printworks, claiming he wanted to get himself arrested.
His rucksack was seized and he was led away to a nearby police station while the area was evacuated and a 50m cordon was placed around the bag.
Trained officers searched the rucksack and recovered the BB gun, a lock knife and two Lucozade bottles, which Joel claimed contained petrol before waiting for army bomb disposal officers to check the fake bombs after destroying the device in Oldham.
In a statement one, experienced PC said: "I've dealt with a wide range of incidents in my career, but I was rather petrified by this ordeal. It was a judgement call opening the bag to check.
"We have to deal with a number of suspicious package incidents, but this was totally different. His demeanour and behaviour - and then seeing the hammer - gave us real concern a device or bomb may have been in the bag too.
"He did say it was fake from the outset, however, we couldn't take that chance.''
In mitigation, defence counsel Carl Hargan said his client has mental health issues and that his 'remorse is genuine'.
At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Joel, from Hollinwood, Oldham, admitted placing an article with intent to cause fear; causing a public nuisance; having a bladed article; and possession of a firearm.
He faces up to seven years jail when he is sentenced later.
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