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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Hand-Cranked Karakuri Box Writes in Japanese

This beautiful wood machine created by Osamu Kanda is able to write Japanese katakana characters.

In a clever bit of reflexivity, the machine itself writes the word "karakuri" in pencil as the handle is turned twenty times through a complete cycle. The machine is 42cm long by 45cm wide by 30cm high -- smaller than it looks in the photos

The machine is thoroughly documented and photographed and described in Japanese and English. There are even schematic drawings!

Here is the link to the Pencil Karakuri page.

[Thanks Falk!]

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Wooden Gear Clock Plans: Clayton Boyer Designs

My recent post on a video about making a wooden gear clock drew some attention from the MAKE magazine blog. I received a several emails and comments asking where to get the plans for the clocks shown in the video.

I found out that the two clocks shown are both from Clayton Boyer Clock Designs. The two clock models in the video are the Swoopy and the Solaris. Shown here is the Vortex.

What exactly do you you get when you order these plans?
All of these clock plans are drawn in CAD and sent as paper patterns (no electronic files or transfers are included).

Included in the clock plans are full size drawings for most of the parts. All of the major components, like the wheels, pinions, and spacers are given as full size patterns. The drawings can be cut from the plans, glued to the appropriately sized stock, and cut to the line.

All of the clock plans come with a full set of instructions and a materials list. Each page also has instructions for each of the parts, and there are a couple of pages that show the completed clockworks.

Visit the Clayton Boyer Clock Designs for over a dozen different wooden clock plans.

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Dunninger's Encyclopedia of Magic in MAKE

I'm thrilled to have played a small part in MAKE Magazine's latest issue, Volume 13. The theme of the issue is magic. I review a classic book on the subject: Dunningers Complete Encyclopedia Of Magic.

Magicians have a long history of being exceptional makers. Just to assure you that this post is on-topic, the book contains details of one of Hero of Alexandria's automata and instructions on marionette construction.

The book is out-of-print, but available used online.

Pick up a copy of MAKE, Volume 13 to read my concise book review. The issue also has a TON of articles on magic, makers, and cool things to make for yourself.

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Creative Kinetics: Mechanical Marvels in Wood

I don't know about you, but I have pre-ordered this, the latest book from Rodney Frost entitled Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood. Amazon informs me that it is due to ship in the first week in April of 2008.

From Amazon.com:
Artist, inventor, and longtime author Rodney Frost is known for wacky, whimsical woodworking books that encourage readers to experiment. With his newest, most creative volume yet, he provides an introduction to the wild and whimsical world of kinetic art -- art that moves. Using plenty of informative sidebars and dynamic illustrations, Frost teaches the basic techniques in his own inimitable style, beginning with easy, fun projects like weather vanes and mobiles powered by air currents alone. Then it's on to simple toys you manipulate with strings, and art mechanized by levers, cranks, cams, and cogs. Far from a routine woodworking book, Creative Kinetics will inspire even the least craft-minded reader to pick up some scissors and turn a tuna can into a propeller or cardboard into a jumping-jack.

Pre-order (at a discount!) Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood.

Check out Frost's other book on automata sold first as:
Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits and now sold under the title Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood

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Book: Make Your Own Working Paper Clock

I remember seeing this book at a friend's house when I was a teenager. Neither he nor I had the patience to undertake the project. Years later, this books seems like an amazing way to learn about clocks, clock-making, mechanics, paper engineering...and patience.

The reviews on Amazon about the book/kit/project are illuminating. Among some of the tips I read were the following:

• Consider getting two copies in anticipation of needing to make/remake certain pieces
• Use glue sparingly
• Try a tacky type of glue
  
• Use an X-acto knife and many X-acto blades
  
• Work in many short sessions over time
• Work when you are up to it and can be careful
  
• Have small clips, weights, clamps, and cross-lock tweezers
  
• Be especially careful when constructing the main gears
• Certain parts might benefit from a hardening coat of white glue or Mod Podge
  

The comments reveal that the people who were happy with this project were the ones that really savored the process of building. It is clear that this not an afternoon project. If it is approached as a challenging, educational exercise -- you cannot really fail.

Order the book Make Your Own Working Paper Clock

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Automaton Kits - Make Your Own Wood Automata

Automaton Kits have been added to a page on DugNorth.com. Several wood automata kits from Timberkits are available online. The lower portion of the page also has links to some paper animation kits from Flying Pig Paper Animation Kits.

Kits are a great way to begin building automata. With all of these kits, the tricky design details have already been worked out. You can concentrate on the task of building something you know will work. From there, you may choose to design your own. If you do, these automata related books can help.

Check out the automata kits page on DugNorth.com.

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Wind-powered Whirligig Head with Moving Jaw

This week's Reader Contribution comes from Tim who has used a common whirligig mechanism to animate an uncommon theme.

Tim has fashioned a head with articulated jaw. The wind-powered whirligig mechanism drives a crankshaft which makes the mouth open and close.

Very clever, indeed.

For more on whirligig construction check out these titles:
Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits
Making Animated Whirligigs
Easy-to-Make Whirligigs
Whimsical Whirligigs
Action Whirligigs: 25 Easy-to-Do Projects
The Art And Craft of Whirligig Construction

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Dug North's Trick Halloween Top Hat

Here's a little video of the hat of my design that is in the new Halloween edition of MAKE magazine.

This is the prototype shown in this movie. The model in the magazine is a bit shorter and so sits on the head better. I also used a black ribbon in place of the maroon one.

The project requires two costume "coachman's" hats, plywood, some small pieces of wood, two L-brackets, two springs, a brake cable and lever, a cable crimp, some washers and screws, and...brace yourself...a rubber finger puppet. Terrifying!

Here's a link to the MAKE store where you can get the Halloween issue, which is full of nothing but DIY Halloween projects.

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Make Magazine Halloween Project Archives

I am really excited to have an article in the fist-ever Halloween Special Issue of MAKE Magazine. They have set up a dedicated Halloween section of their site. It's full of DIY Halloween projects.

They are also holding Halloween contests in a bunch of cool categories including:

• Pumpkin decorating
• Costumes
• Decorations, haunted houses, and gadgets
• Halloween Food

To enter just upload your photos to the DIY HALLOWEEN Flickr photo pool and tag them "DIYHALLOWEEN." You can also email your photos to make.magazine@gmail.com, or put them on Instructables in the MAKE group with a tag "DIYHALLOWEEN". Maybe your project will be in the second Halloween edition next year!

Check out the Make Magazine Halloween project archives.

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Make Magazine Halloween Issue on Sale 9/4

MAKE magazine has its fist-ever special Halloween issue for sale on newsstands starting today, September 4th!

I have written a short article for this issue showing the reader how to make a trick top hat for the spooky holiday. The hat can be seen on this version of the cover at the bottom, in the center.

The hat holds a mechanism connected to a cable and bicycle brake lever. When the lever is squeezed, a little monster bursts out of the top of the hat. Pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

The project is fun to make, but even more fun to wear!

If you local newsstand or bookseller does not carry MAKE, you can order the Halloween issue at the MAKE online store.

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Interactive Gear Template Generator

Matthias Wandel's excellent site has an interactive gear template generator "intended for generating paper templates for cutting low precision gears from plywood, phenolic, or other suitable materials with a band saw."

This elegant online tool allows you to input a handful of values to generate involute gears of various sizes and teeth. Most likely, you will want to check the "Two gears" checkbox and punch in the gear ratio (as number of teeth). You can then check that the values will create a gear pair that won't jam by checking the "Animate" checkbox. If you see the teeth of one gear overlapping the teeth of the second, you need make some adjustments.

This tool uses printer-friendly Flash. Use the on-screen "Print gears" button to print out only the gears and not the entire web page.

He even shows how to cut the wooden gears on the bandsaw.

Generate some gears to cut from wood using the Interactive Gear Template Generator. [via Make Magazine's blog]

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Automaton How-To Article, MAKE Halloween Issue

I am very pleased to announce that I have contributed an article to MAKE Magazine's first-ever special Halloween issue. The article shows the secret behind the trick top hat I designed, so that you can build one for yourself!

You can pre-order MAKE Magazines Special Halloween Issue now. I have a feeling it is going to be a really great issue of MAKE.

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Mad Mechancial Toys = Whacky Toys Book

I finally received my copy of Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood by Rodney Frost from Amazon.com.

As far as I can tell this is the exact same book as his book entitled Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits.

It has a new cover, a new title, a new blurb from the publisher on the back cover...but that's about it.

My opinion stands that this is one of the top three automata books for aspiring makers to have. It remains one of the few books with actual plans for making wood automata. His style is wonderful.

The fact is though, if you own one of these titles you don't really need the other.

On a brighter note, this must mean that his other new book, Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in WoodMUST be new material!

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Flash Animations of Mechanisms for Offline Use

This new product is a download that gives you the ability to use the mechanisms part of the Flying-Pig.co.UK site on a computer not connected to the internet.

The download contains a .ZIP file of over forty web pages with over forty animations. The pages provide information on many types of mechanism and movement.

A great educational and reference resource!

You can can download the latest version with new mechanisms at any time for twelve months with no charge!

Order the Mechanisms Offline from Flying-Pig

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New Paper Automata Download Shop

Flying-Pig Paper Animation Kits has created a whole new storefront for their downloadable automata. He is offering many of his designs as downloads!

Make your own paper automaton:

STEP 1 - Purchase and download the design of your choice to your computer. Each kit comes as an acrobat file (PDF).

STEP 2 - Print out the illustrated instructions onto regular paper. Then, print the parts pages onto thin card stock.

STEP 3 - Score and cut out the pieces. Glue the parts together with white glue.

In a few hours time, you have your own working automaton!

Downloadable models are paid for using the secure PayPal, so you can order from anywhere in the world using any currency and your order will be with you in minutes.

As of now, there are almost 30 designs to choose from!

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Making Mad Toys Book is Now Shipping!

The new book from Rodney Frost (the author who wrote Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits) is now shipping from Amazon!

I have not received my copy yet. I will write a longer review once I have it and have had a chance to read it. Here is what the publisher has to say about the book...

Rodney Frost's collection of playful mechanical contraptions will captivate anyone who operates them -- and they'll entice the creative woodworker too, because these whirligigs are as much fun to make as to maneuver. The secret to these movable marvels: propellers and other action-filled parts made from wood or metal. Full-size schematics and drawings, plus detailed written instructions, will guide woodworkers smoothly through building, carving, and assembling many enchanting projects!

Check out Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood

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Chomping T-Rex Automaton Picks up Objects

This is The BEST paper automaton idea EVER.

Turn the handle and the Tyrannosaurus Rex reaches down and bites! The T.Rex snatches up any small object placed beneath his mighty paper jaws.

I only wish I thought of this idea!

Follow the illustrated instructions and -- with an evening or two of your time and some white glue -- you can have this little beast.

Check out this Chomping T-Rex Automaton.

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Book: Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood

It's almost to good to be true. Rodney Frost has not one, but two books on automata-making due to be released this year. As with, Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood, I don't have much information yet.

From the publisher:
Artist, inventor, and longtime author Rodney Frost is known for wacky, whimsical woodworking books that encourage readers to experiment. With his newest, most creative volume yet, he provides an introduction to the wild and whimsical world of kinetic art—art that moves. Using plenty of informative sidebars and dynamic illustrations, Frost teaches the basic techniques in his own inimitable style, beginning with easy, fun projects like weather vanes and mobiles powered by air currents alone. Then it’s on to simple toys you manipulate with strings, and art mechanized by levers, cranks, cams, and cogs. Far from a routine woodworking book, Creative Kinetics will inspire even the least craft-minded reader to pick up some scissors and turn a tuna can into a propeller or cardboard into a jumping-jack.


Check out or pre-order Rodney Frost's Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood

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Book: Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood

Here is a new book from Rodney Frost, the same author who wrote one of my all-time top ranked wood automata-making books: Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits (see this post, for the other top ranked automata-making books).

This book is not available as of July 2007. I have ordered it, but cannot review it. A full review will be forthcoming as soon as I have the book. The fact that it contains plans almost ensures it will be in my list of top-rated books. Meanwhile, here is a blurb from the publisher...

From the publisher:
Rodney Frost's collection of playful mechanical contraptions will captivate anyone who operates them -- and they'll entice the creative woodworker too, because these whirligigs are as much fun to make as to maneuver. The secret to these movable marvels: propellers and other action-filled parts made from wood or metal. Full-size schematics and drawings, plus detailed written instructions, will guide woodworkers smoothly through building, carving, and assembling many enchanting projects!


Check out or pre-order Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood

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Paper Pirate Automaton

In keeping with all the pirate-based media in the air these days, you might want to check out this paper pirate automaton.

As with many of the models at Flying-pig.co.uk, this is a die cut model for you to pop out and glue together. Follow the fully illustrated instructions and, with an evening or two of your time and some white glue you can have this delightful model for your collection.

Check out Jolly Roger, paper automaton at Flying-pig.co.uk.

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Agreeable Sheep - Free Paper Automaton!

Fying-pig.co.uk is offering a free download of a completely updated version of the Agreeable Sheep model.

Download the free file, print it out, and make the model.

Using a simple cam, this model is the perfect introduction to paper animation kits and to automata-making in general.

When you turn the crank, the sheep responds in the affirmative to any question you ask of it. Great fun!

Visit the Agreeable Sheep page at Flying-pig.co.uk

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Trevithick Locomotive Model with Paper Gears

Though not as well-known a name as Newcomen or Watt, Richard Trevithick was a British inventor and engineer who built the first working railway steam locomotive...in 1801!

Here's a great site that features a model of Trevithick's steam locomotive. The paper gears are very nicely done (as is the entire model).

You can see a gallery of the model and download .PDF plans to make it yourself (for a $5).

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Making Wooden Hinges

Here's a great article from Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Magazine describing how to make hinges out of wood.

The article has complete step-by-step instructions with photos and a scale drawing that you can photocopy and use as your cutting template. The project assumes you have access to scroll saw.

Here's a link to the article: Make Wooden Hinges

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Master of Windmills and Whirligigs

Whirligigs are a form of automata -- to my mind at least. They depict an animated scene with a person or animal. The only distinction between a contemporary automaton and a whirligig is that the latter are outside and are powered by the wind.

The folks over at The Proceedings of the Athanasius Kircher Society have a great post about a man with a passion for windmills and whirligigs. The man's name is Vollis Simpson, an 87-year-old retired mechanic from North Carolina. Simpson's back yard is filled with dozens of his wind-driven creations.

A quote from Simpson:
"The main part of doing anything that turns is to get it centered".

Truer words were never spoken.

Check out the post on Vollis Simpson's Windmill Farm at the Kircher Society blog.

Here's a list of books on how to make whirligigs:

• Making Animated Whirligigs (Woodworking Whirligigs)
• Easy-to-Make Whirligigs (Woodworking Whirligigs)
• Whimsical Whirligigs (Woodworking Whirligigs)
• Action Whirligigs: 25 Easy-to-Do Projects (Woodworking Whirligigs)
• The Art And Craft of Whirligig Construction

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Clocks with Wooden Mechanisms Roundup

With the recent post about the wood pocket watch, I thought I would share some information about wooden clock resources I've found online.

While not strictly automata, the mechanisms and material make wooden clocks a worthy topic in my book.

If you know of other sites, leave a comment or send me an email and I'll add it to the list.

• www.clockplans.com
• www.woodenclockworks.net/
• www.brendanreilly.ca
• Gary's clocks
• www.wooden-gear-clocks.com
• Houtman Designs - Peg-gear-clock
• Clayton Boyer's Clocks
• Marc Tovar's Wooden ClockWorks
• Rabbit's clocks
• Wooden Grandfather Clock
• Brian Law's Woodenclocks
• Blogging the The Ascent - A Wooden Clock Kit
• Wooden clock ( # 39 )
• Steebar.com
• Patriot Mill Cogworks
  

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WoodCraft Magazine Bundle - Automata Plans

Woodcraft.com -- one of my absolute favorite woodworking stores -- is offering a bundle of the first year of its self-titled woodworking magazine.

This is a great deal for two reasons:

1. You get 7 issues of a great woodworking magazine for $9.99
2. You get Woodcraft Holiday 2005 with my article on how to build a contemporary automaton of your very own. That's worth the price alone!

Check out the Woodcraft Magazine Issues 1-7 Bundle

If you are a hard-core Dug North fan and just want the issue with the automaton plans, you can get Woodcraft Holiday 2005

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