Swans Nesting automaton by Karen Barkie

Check out this nicely made automaton by Karen Barkie featuring two swans. I love the clean construction and the clever, yet simple way she incorporated a hand-cranked music box.

From the video description: A wooden automaton. Male Mute swan swims protectively around a nesting female to the music of Fur Elise played on a small music box. The wooden circular top spins around the stationary female. This is accomplished by inserting a 1/2" dowel within a 1 1/4" dowel. Made of oak, poplar and basswood. Measures 13 1/2" tall and 8" deep and wide. By Karen Barkie.

Here is where you can see more videos of automata by Karen Barkie.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Free plans for a charming cat and mouse autoamton by Christopher Blasius

Check out this really nicely made video showing step-by-step how to make a cat and mouse automaton. The narration is in German, but the video is so clear it hardly seems to matter. (Incidentally, if you turn on the YouTube CC function, English subtitles are shown.) This charming automaton was created by Christopher Blasius.

You can download free plans for the cat and mouse automaton from his web site.

[ Thanks Charles! ]

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Desperate for gift ideas? Here are 5 more great books for the mechanically-minded!

We are down to the wire in terms of holiday shopping. If you still need ideas for those mechanically-minded folks on your list, here are 5 more books I recommend personally. You have plenty of time to order them from Amazon in time for Christmas. Problem solved.

Eccentric Cubicle (Make: Projects)

Kaden Harris is one of those fascinating people who seems to know how to make just about everything. His skill and eclectic interests come across loud and clear in his book Eccentric Cubicle. Ostensibly, the book is full of projects for you to make for your cubical at work, but the book's title understates how badass some of these projects are. In the book, you will be shown how to build a working miniature guillotine, a small torsion-powered crossbow, a mechanical golf machine, a bass guitar built into a desk, a fog machine, a mechanical percussion machine, and more. The construction of each project is described in great detail; it is probably MAKE's longest book. As if that weren't enough, each chapter has a sub-theme that covers an essential tool, material, or fabrication technique. These alone could form a book that would be worth the price. The book is written in a playful, irreverent style, which makes for good reading. This thing is full of gems, and one of my personal favorites.

Building Wooden Machines: Gears and Gadgets for the Adventurous Woodworker

Among all of the books on how to make wooden mechanisms, two of the best and most advanced are the two by Alan and Gill Bridgewater: Making Wooden Mechanical Models and Making More Wooden Mechanical Models. Originally published in 1995 and 1999, respectively, they have become increasingly hard to find, especially the second book which now fetches high prices in the used book market. So, it was good news to learn that the two books have been combined into Building Wooden Machines. The new combined volume features 28 ingenious woodworking projects with visible wheels, cranks, pistons and other moving parts made of wood. Each project has step-by-step instructions and plan drawings from which to work. It does assume the reader has woodworking skill and tools, so this outstanding book may not be the best choice for beginners.

Making Mechanical Marvels In Wood

This book also features plans for 15 handsome wooden mechanisms such as the cam and follower, the Scotch yoke, the fast-return actuator, and the geneva wheel. Unlike Building Wooden Machines far fewer of projects in this book require access to and experience with a wood lathe. This makes it useful to a greater number of people. If you are a less experienced woodworker, or do not have a lathe, then then you'll want to chose Making Mechanical Marvels In Wood over this title.

Automata and Mechanical Toys

It is certainly no surprise to find Automata and Mechanical Toys on this list. In the past I have said that if you were to have just one book on contemporary automata that this should be the one. Both a how-to book and a showcase of the art form itself, this book attempts to cover it all. If you love automata, want see examples by well known automaton artists, and want to learn more about how to make these wonderful devices yourself, then this book is a must-have. Here is where you can read a more extensive review of Automata and Mechanical Toys.

Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood

Rodney Frost strikes again with his book titled Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood. Previously published as Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits, this book has long been at the top of my recommendations. This book features fourteen complete projects -- one of the only ones to do so. Each project has a bit of text, a photo, and many nice vector illustrations detailing the project's construction. I wouldn't call them formal 'plans' -- they are too colorful, assorted, and playful for that name. People determined to build an automaton, but short of ideas, are sure to find a project in this book that speaks to them. The projects have a wonderful vintage feel.

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4 great books for the mechanically-minded person

If you have found your way to this blog and have yet to find a gift for that mechanically-minded person in your life, here's a list of books that should solve all of your problems! Need more choices? Stay tuned for more in the coming days!

Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements: Embracing All Those Which Are Most Important in Dynamics, Hydraulics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, Steam Engines

Coming in as the top selling book by the readers of The Automata blog is Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements is a great resource for interesting mechanical solutions. It is an affordable book that can provide a lot of education and inspiration. The left hand page of each spread shows 6 to 9 mechanisms or "contrivances" as they were called, while the page on the right side gives a short description of each of the mechanisms and what it does. The mechanisms are presented in a concise, interesting manner. There is something compelling about the vintage line drawings and old-fashioned phrasing. I love this little book as will anyone who finds mechanisms fascinating.

Making Things Move: DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists

Published in 2010, Making Things Move: DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists is one of the most comprehensive, easy-to-understand, and fun books on the topic. Author Dustyn Roberts covers every aspect of making things move, from fabrication techniques, to motors, CAD, and Arduino micro-controllers. If your interest in kinetic sculpture includes more than wood and brass, this book is fantastic resource.

Number 8: Paper Automata: Four Working Models to Cut Out & Glue Together

There is no doubt that Rob Ives is a master of paper engineering. This glossy softcover book contains all of the printed color patterns needed to make four excellent paper automata: a pecking hen, a flying fish, three bounding sheep, and a bowing jester. If you or anyone in your life wants to try their hand at making an automaton -- and I mean right away -- paper is the way to go. You only need some white glue, scissors, a hobby knife, and this Paper Automata book. I've watched someone with no prior mechanical training complete one of these models in an afternoon. A gift of this book is like giving four kits. Priced at just over $10, it is a very good deal.

Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood

In Creative Kinetics, author Rodney Frost provides a brilliant introduction to the making of kinetic art. The book does an especially good job of explaining the mechanisms that typically make up the core of a wood automaton: levers, cams, cranks, eccentrics, pulleys, and gears. The projects are fun and wildly diverse. You won't find complete plans in this book, but if you are interested in learning to make kinetic sculptures in wood, this book provides all of the fundamentals in a fun and easy-to-read way.

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Learn just enough to make just about anything (including a career)

I haven't read this new book, but I can tell you that it's on MY holiday wishlist. Why? First, it is from the creators of MAKE. I've subscribed to the magazine from day one, bought the books, and had the pleasure of writing a few articles for them. These folks get it. They know what it is to want to create, to build, to play, to make. Second, if the subtitle of the book lives up to its name (even in part), then I want in.

From the book description:

Are you possessed by the urge to invent, design, and make something that others enjoy, but don’t know how to plug into the Maker movement? In this book, you’ll follow author David Lang’s headfirst dive into the Maker world and how he grew to be a successful entrepreneur. You’ll discover how to navigate this new community, and find the best resources for learning the tools and skills you need to be a dynamic maker in your own right.

Beyond developing your skills, the book also sheds light on the maker-community in general and how to forge a career from what you will learn and who will meet. Intrigued? I know am.

Here is where you can order Zero to Maker: Learn (Just Enough) to Make (Just About) Anything.

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One toy construction set to rule them all -- Engino 50 Model Engineering Set

The Engino building system features these really cool multi-faceted rods that allow connections on up to 6 sides simultaneously. The rods permit both dense and open construction techniques allowing you to build simple or complex models quickly with a smaller number of different components.

With the Engino 50 Models Engineering Set you can create impressive structures such as a tower, a suspension bridge, and a truss bridge. It also has plans for making a motorized Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a windmill. A few of the other models include a functional weight-scales, a jet plane, a helicopter, and a bi-plane. Printed instructions are included for 12 models and more can be downloaded from the Engino's website.

The set includes the engino 3 volt geared motor to power up either the featured models or your own creations.

Here is where you can get the Engino 50 Models Engineering Set.

Be sure to check out the full line Engino mechanical toys too!

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Profile of Anthony Howe and his large metal kinetic sculptures

Check out this beautiful short video profile of artist Anthony Howe. Formerly a painter, Howe has turned his considerable artistic skill toward making large kinetic sculptures powered by the wind. They are at once somewhat alien and strangely familiar -- like jellyfish from outer space cast in metal.

Here is where you can see more kinetic sculptures by Anthony Howe.

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Pirate and octopus engaged in whimsical combat in this Timberkits automaton kit

Here is a new Timberkits automaton or, at least, new to me. When complete, this automaton kit depicts a pirate and octopus fighting it out with waving tentacles, hook, and sword! As with all of their kits, the wooden components come shaped and drilled. It is left to you to do a very little sanding, assembling and gluing. The kits are well-designed and come with complete instructions. Here's where to get the Timberkits Pirate Panic Automaton.

Be sure to check out all of the Timberkits wood automaton kits. There is one for every person on your holiday shopping list. Think of it: everyone gets an automaton that suits them as a gift and you all assemble them as a group! Best. Christmas. Ever.

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The best projects from MAKE magazine in book form

If you are like me, you have been subscribed to MAKE magazine since day one. If not, you've now got a lot of catching up to do. Don't despair, however! They've assembled various topics into collections of articles that make for outstanding books. Take for example, The Best of Make. This 384 book pulls 75 of the best projects from the first two years of the magazine and gives them to you in one handy volume for only $25! That's one heck of a deal.

Inside this issue you will find chapters on tools, electronics, micro-controllers, toys & games, robots, music, flight & projectiles, photography & video, and cars & engines. Each of these chapters contains between 6 and 9 hands-on projects. Here is where you can order The Best of Make.

Also check out their other dedicated books like Make: Electronics, The Makerspace Workbench, The Essential Guide to 3D Printers, and the Eccentric Cubicle (a personal favorite).

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