Antique DIY Folk Art Automaton Project circa 1900

Here is an incomplete automaton for sale on eBay. While this would be a rather pricey, do-it-yourself project, much of the work is done and the materials provided. The seller even shares a vision for the completed piece. I find this to be an interesting concept: vintage one-of-a-kind DIY.

From the Seller's Description:
"The main figure of a man is articulated on his right side, at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. He is articulated on the left side at only the shoulder and elbow. He is whittling a piece of wood with a real metal knife. I believe he originally paused and lifted the object to examine it, then continued. He may have first had a clockwork movement but when I received it, someone had attempted to operate him with an old clock motor and an old porcelain electrical on off switch appearing to be from the very early 1900's."

The seller is offering the piece with many parts, a curved glass front, and a gear motor to power the automaton.

Here's the eBay listing with many photographs of the vintage woodcarver automaton project

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Make a Kicking Mule Articulated Wooden Toy

Here's a short article on how to carve and assemble this kicking mule toy.

From the article:
"The mule consists of four components: head, ears, front legs joined to the main body, and hindquarters. Pieces of brass rod hold the various parts together, and lengths of string keep them articulated."

Here is the link to the article on how to make a kicking mule toy.

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FLEXCUT Starter Kit: 17 Carving Tools & Wood Box

Here's a post for the automata-makers and aspiring makers. Flexcut offers a set of carving tools in a starter kit. If you don't already own carving tools, this could be a great first set.

The kit comes with the most important carving tool of all -- the standard carving knife with a ergonomically designed handle. We're off to a good start.

In addition, the kit offers interchangeable carving tool tips of every conceivable shape that fit into a handle. This could be a bit a hassle if you need to switch blade types frequently. Flexcut wisely decided to give you TWO handles in this set. This is a simple and wise solution in my view. With the standard knife and two blades mounted in the palm handles, blade changing should be minimal.
The kit also comes with Flexcut's unique SlipStrop. A strop is a surface (often leather or leather-like) on to which you put a fine abrasive compound (also included). You run the tool over the strop to give it a fine, polished edge. What makes the SlipStrop so useful, is that it has a series of ridges shaped just like common carving tools. There are other ways to hone a carving tool, but this is very convenient. I have used one for years.

Finally, keeping track of all those interchangeable blades could be a burden, but the kit is packed in a nice wood box, which should protect your set and keep it organized.

Get a full list of the tools included in the FLEXCUT Starter Kit.

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CNC Shark Routing System - Autonomous Carver

I posted a while back about the CarveWright automated carving system. A new model of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) router has entered the market at a similar price point -- well below more established, larger machines. The new one is called the CNC Shark Routing System.


This CNC machine is designed for routing wood, engraving plastics, and even etching or cutting tile.

Like the CarveWright, the CNC Shark is a fairly small, portable machine. Unlike the CarveWright which uses a media card to transfer information from your computer to the Router table, with the CNC Shark, you connect the USB cable from your computer directly to the controller box.

Another difference is that the CNC Shark uses a conventional palm router mounted to it to do the cutting. The CarveWright routing system uses a specialized flexible shaft attached to an on-board motor. The CNC Shark's system allows you to use a router you may already own (like the Bosch Colt Palm Router), or may choose to use on its own. Since this is the part that will get the most wear and tear, I think this is a brilliant approach. The palm router can be fixed or replaced. Bits for the palm routers are easy to find too.

Unlike the CarveWright, which uses its own proprietary software, the CNC Shark can be used with a range of established CNC programs used in the industry. There may be a learning curve here, but it's probably worth it for greater control.

The last important difference that I can see is that this machine moves in all three axes of motion (X, Y, and Z). The CarveWright moves side to side and up and down. For lateral motion, the CarveWright uses a friction belt (i.e. sandpaper belts) to move the workpiece itself. This seems like a potential area for slippage which could ruin a carving. The CNC Shark never moves the work piece -- only the cutter moves, ensuring that registration is on target.

From the product literature:
The CNC Shark is the best value for a complete CNC system. This impressive has power, speed, accuracy, and ease of use. We also have a technical support system to help you with any questions regarding the and any of its software. CNC Shark has a high quality design and its parts have been CNC'd to ensure its highest accuracy. The Shark's construction of steel, aluminum and high-density polyethylene make it robust, and it can take accidental impacts that would normally damage or destroy other machines.

The CNC Shark is offered through the Rockler stores in the lower 48 United States. Take a look!

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Proxxon Rotary Tool & Accessories

I own some Proxxon tools and I own several rotary tools, but I don't actually own a Proxxon rotary tool.

OK..that said, I love the Proxxon tools I do own. Woodcraft is sellng the Proxxon rotory tool at a close-out price right now (about $73). The specifications do sound impressive (see below).

Personally, I am very interested in that Universal Holder (D) for use with a flex shaft (sold seperately). That looks handy, indeed.

From Woodcraft's Site:
Great for detail cutting, grinding and sanding, the German-made Proxxon has a top speed of 20,000 RPM, continuously variable down to 5,000 RPM. Electronic full wave speed control gives almost constant torque, even at low speeds, easing micro drilling. The spindle rides in precision ball bearings, and has a lock button for changing bits. The Proxxon gets its power from a quiet, specially balanced permanent magnet motor. Our own testing showed superior low-end torque and far less vibration than the most popular rotary tool on the market.

Check out all the details of Proxxon Rotary Tool & Accessories over at Woodcraft.com.

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Video of CarveWright Wood Carver in Action

Here is a video of the nifty CarveWright computerized woodcarving system in action. It's a woodworking robot.

CNC routers are nothing new. But, as I mentioned in a previous post, this system's price doesn't make it totally out-of-the-question for the personal wood shop.

In this video you get to see how the machine is set up and used, how bits are changed, and the basic CAD-like software it comes with. It sounds a bit noisy, but hey...it is a power router after all!

Here is more detailed info on the CarveWright at Woodcraft.com.

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CarveWright CNC Woodcarving Machine

I take pride in the hand-crafting that goes into making each Dug North Automaton. Still, there is a tool addict side of me that cannot help but dream about the possibilities of a machine like this one: The CarveWright CNC Woodcarving Machine.

While less robust than full-fledged CNC router table, the price of this machine is so much less, it is in a class of its own. I won't go into the technical details of this automatic wood carving machine here...they are too numerous.

Just consider this for a moment: automata building more automata. Wow.

Check out the CarveWright Woodworking System.

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Carving Set with tools, book, and slipstones

Developed for hand or light mallet use, this assortment of tools are made in the USA of high carbon tool steel. They feature hardwood handles with a metal ferrule. Comfortable 6-1/4" to 6-1/2" lengths make them easy to control for detail carving.

Complete set includes the 12 carving tools plus coarse and fine India slipstones, and the popular book "Woodcarving: 20 Great Projects for Beginners & Weekend Carvers" by John Hillyer. Factory sharpened and ready for use.

Here's a link to this Carving Set from WoodCraft. They have many to choose from.

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Carving Vise to hold Figures While Carving

Now, I'll be honest...I don't own one of these, but it sure looks like a nice thing to have for carving. I bring it to your attention also because it is on sale for $59.99, normally $71.49.

Adjustable Carving Vise/Carvers Mallet
Two great carving tools! One to hold it and a beautiful mallet to carve your fine pieces! (Mallet head is green not black as shown.) Mallet and carving vise sold separately. Adjustable Carving Vise/Carvers Mallet

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Woodworkers & Carvers - WoodCraft Catalog

Woodcraft Supply is a great store for woodworking tools and supplies. If you don't have a store near you, I recommend their catalog featuring more than 8,000 items. They offer more tools and accessories for woodcarvers than any other retailer I have found.

Not only does the Woodcraft catalog offer a complete listing of products for woodworking, but it's also free.

Get your Free Woodcraft Catalog.

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Hobby Knife Blade Sharpener

Micro-Mark sells this X-ACT0 hobby knife sharpener. I don't know about you, but I go through a lot of these blades in a month.

Basically, it is a jig on to which you place your hobby knife. It holds the knife at the proper angle to sharpen #11, #16, #2, and #24 type blades against a small Arkansas Whetstone.

They sell honing oil as an accessory for this tool. (For those of you who don't spend 50% of your lives sharpening things, honing oil serves as a lubricant that suspends the steel shavings from your knife and prevents them from clogging the pores of the Whetstone. In time, a clogged Whetstone will become ineffective. Whetstones should be cleared after each use by rubbing a liberal amount of oil onto the stone and then wiping off the excess with a clean cloth.)

I have yet to order one of these because it's hard to spend over $20 on a $2 knife, but my logic is poor. As their ad copy says, it should "pay for itself" may times over.

Has anyone tried on of these? If so, drop me a line or comment on this post.

I think this item is only offered at Micro-Mark: Hobby knife Sharpener

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