Gizmos & Gadgets magazine featuring automaton plans by Dug North
It's here! Gizmos & Gadgets is a the new magazine that features my article showing you how to make a wood automaton from start to finish.
The magazine is a special edition issue put out by the publishers of Scroll Saw & Woodworking Crafts magazine.
About Gizmos & Gadgets:
From mechanical marvels to marvelous marble machines, Gizmos & Gadgets has something for everyone. From the simple to the complex, from the decorative to the functional, this issue will get your creative gears turning and your pride beaming when you see the smiles these hand made treasures will bring to the faces of those around you.
If it is not already at your local bookseller, it will be very soon. In the meantime, the Gizmo & Gadgets issue can be purchased online.
Stay tuned for more info about the magazine and the projects within!
Labels: AKA, articles, birds, DIY, dogs, Dug North, magazines, online resources, plans, scroll saw, Scroll Saw Magazine
posted by Dug North on 9/07/2012
9 Comments:
Congrats to you for another article! Look forward to reading it when the issue is out on the newsstand.
Charles
Thanks, Charles! I have yet to spot it in the wild. Should be soon.
I found this at Lowes this week. Your barking dog automata is clever. It's my first time getting a good look at using a cam hitting a lever connected to a spring rather than hitting a push rod. I can see where a lever would be more stable.
It's a nice variety of projects - a whirligig, gears, a simple Wanda Sowry project, etc.
Sharon - At Lowe's? Good to know! I've been keeping an eye out and haven't seen it at my local one yet.
Glad you like the barking dog automaton! The spring ensures that the linkage really snaps up when the cam follower drops off the snail cam. This gives the dog a quick barking action.
The magazine really is a good one. Lots of great projects! I think I'll post about some of them.
Another report: the magazine was also found by a reader at "Books a Million".
The springs for your automaton are really small, can you give me an idea of where to find them? The chain hardware stores, McMaster-Carr, American Science & Surplus don't have much under an inch, is there a specific hobby that uses that size? The local train and automotive remote control place doesn't have them either.
Thanks for any pointers you might be able to give.
Hi Sharon,
I'm sorry you've had to go on such an extended search for those springs.
I have not found springs like that at any of the big box home improvement stores, though my local chain hardware stores do have them. Often, though, they will not have the shorter springs or if they do, they are far too strong. These springs only need the strength of a small rubber band, so you can use those as one alternative.
Here's a trick I have used: find a fairly weak spring that is longer than you need -- say, two, three or four inches long -- then, cut it into the lengths you need. This can sometimes be cheaper than buying individual springs. I bend the two ends of the spring at right angles so they can be hooked over things easier.
I don't have a source for springs online, but will take a look. The wire thickness and length is right for these: http://www.amazon.com/Extension-Spring-Length-Extended-Capacity/dp/B005VTRR5G/ref=sr_1_21?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1348228082&sr=1-21
Best,
-Dug North
Thanks for your advice, I will re-look at OSH, which had a whole display of springs, but they were too long, since bending is an option, I may be able to use their 9/32" extension spring.
Any project worth doing entails a few trips to the hardware store - at least that's what I keep telling myself.
No problem! Yeah, give Orchard Supply another try. Just look for an extension spring with a very fine wire and no more strength than a little rubber band.
I agree, any good project requires several trips to the hardware store!
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