Mechanical Principles - a film of mechanical movements in action

Check out this fascinating 10 minute segment of a longer piece by Ralph Steiner featuring classic mechanical movements. Many of these mechanisms can be found in the book 507 Mechanical Movements as well as the larger, but similar 1800 Mechanical Movements, Devices and Appliances.

Some interesting movements shown in the film include:
 • Counter mechanism
 • Gears engage on diagonals
 • Square gears
 • Variable speed transfer
 • Rotary to linear action with a 4 tooth cog

Here is a page on Amazon listing lots of great books on mechanical movements. Also known as "the list of awesome".

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Antique Black Forest clock with figure playing the trumpet

Many beautiful clocks where produced in the Black Forest region of Germany. The good folks over at J. Miller & Sons Antiques are offering one such example made around the turn of the century. I love this clock.

From the clock description page:

The trumpeter figure is carved from wood and retains its original paint. He has a trumpet in his mouth and a keg of beer over his shoulder. He calls at the full and half hours for another round of refreshment.

Here is where you can learn more about this Black Forest Shelf 3 Horn Trumpeter Clock.

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Bird wing motion study created with nothing more than tongue depressors and paper

Check out this awesome kinetic model of bird wings. The model was created by design student Joyce Lin and is made of nothing more than tongue depressors, paper, and tape. Amazing!

Via Laughing Squid.

[ Thanks Cameron! ]

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Three Blind Mice automaton by Keith Newstead

Automaton artist Keith Newstead has done it again. Check out this amazing automaton featuring sounds that integrate with the motions of the characters. The use of sound and the second scene played out in silhouette in the background makes for a very rich and complete automaton.

Here is where you can learn more about Three Blind Mice automaton by Keith Newstead.

[ Thanks John!]

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Book: Model Building with Brass

This book gets some great reviews on Amazon. I'm going to add it to my wishlist.

From the book description: For the first time, a book has been written that explains all the tools and techniques necessary for successfully building models with brass. The detailed text is illustrated with over 320 color photos. Whether substituting for an existing plastic model kit part or assembly, making a master pattern for casting, or creating a complete scratch-built model, the range of brass fabrication methods and tools used are explained. Readers are exposed to every technique for cutting, forming, fabricating, soldering, and final finishing of commercially available brass stock. Specific chapters focus on the use of various tabletop machines and chemicals to assist readers in the creation of very detailed brass models.

Here is where you can order Model Building with Brass

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Instructional video for artists and makers about working with bailing wire

Artist Aaron Kramer knows how to make things. He also knows how to use a huge assortment of materials. When asked about making cold connections with wire, he decided to produce this very instructive long-form video (about 10 minutes) on the topic.

From the artist:

I really haven't seen anything worthwhile on the internet so here is my take on the subject. I put together this little 9.5 minute introduction with a running commentary to impart a little of what I know. I feel a trained jeweler or metalsmith may have a different take on this so this is what you get from a self taught artist type.

Well done! I know I learned a lot.

Here is where you can see artwork by Aaron Kramer.

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Children's drawings and basic materials used to create lively automaton

This charming automaton was made out of drawings by children. The paper drawings were mounted on to a thicker bristol board or foam-core and given wire pivots. All were then mounted to a common crank shaft. A quick and effective process with a nice final product.

Here is where you can see many more in-process photos of the paper anniversary automaton.

[ Thanks Tom! ]

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Chicken Head - a simple and realistic automaton by Bliss Kolb

Here's the latest bird-themed automaton form artist Bliss Kolb. Though the motion is simple, it captures the essence of the chicken perfectly!

Here is where you can see more art by Bliss Kolb.

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How to make a tiny machine screw for an antique French clock

I've been doing a bit of posting about practical matters in the world of clock repair on my other site clockfix.com. In one of my recent blog posts there, I documented how to make a very small steel machine screw for a French clock I was working on. Here's the result:

A colleague who has far more experience in this field made two good suggestions. The first was to anneal the metal before turning it down and threading it. This will make the dies last a lot longer. The second, was to part the piece using a jeweler's saw rather than a file. The blades are cheap, and the file will last a lot longer too. He then hardens, tempers, and finishes the screw as the final steps. Good advice; all of that makes perfect sense.

Here's where you can see my post on how to make a tiny machine screw for an antique French clock.

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