How to weld a rolling ball sculpture - Part 2: welding a T-joint

Here's artist Tom Harold's second instructional video on how to make welded rolling ball track sculptures. This video covers the basics of welding a T-joint, a commonly used joint in rolling ball sculptures. In the video, Tom shows the proper way to prep parts, tack weld, weld with filler rod, and the details of a track clamp -- one of the special tools he uses in making ball tracks.

See more work by Tom Harold on his web site.

Here's a link to top-rated books on welding. Why stop there? You can buy welders on Amazon -- many with free shipping if you have Amazon Prime, which is well worth it in my experience.

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The making of Patek Philippe's most complicated watch

Check out this captivating film about the making of Patek Philippe's most complicated watch.

[ Thanks @MaxHumphries! ]

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Massive robot dragon fights a giant spider in Beijing's Olympic Park

Check out this performance of puppetry on a grand scale. The giant robots perform a show loosely based on Chinese mythology. The puppets were created by the French company, La Machine.

Learn more about the Robot dragon and giant spider on the BBC News web site.

[ Thanks Bill! ]

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Stairway from Heaven - musical holiday-themed automaton with plans

Our good friend here at The Automata Blog, John Hutchinson, created this holiday-themed automaton featuring an integrated music box. If you start now, you will have a one-of-a-kind gift for someone this holiday season. Full plans and instructions will be featured in the Holiday 2014 edition of Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts. The holiday issue is also known as Issue 57, which will soon be available at booksellers and will eventually be available on the Fox Chapel Publishing web site. Should you be unable to get it in time, here is a link to their their past holiday issues. You are sure to find a suitable project/gift idea among them!

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Paper models form the old Toy Shop computer program available online!

Back in the 1980s there was a program for the Commodore 64 computer called 'The Toy Shop'. The program allowed you to print out designs to make twenty paper models, many of which were kinetic. The models included trucks, airplanes, a carousel, a sundial, flying toys, a catapult, a working scale, several machines, a zoetrope and this amazing mechanical bank!

A wonderful web page documents all of the projects from The Toy Shop program, allowing you to download both the patterns and the instructions for free. Here is where you can view, download and make the 20 assorted projects from The Toy Shop software.

For more excellent paper models check out Paper Models That Move: 14 Ingenious Automata, and More. This book includes 14 whimsical projects for making automata out of cardstock. It is well-illustrated and explain the use of levers, gears, cranks, and other devices. The cut-and-assemble components allow papercrafters of modest skill and experience to build these models.

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Reproduction of a clock kit based on a sketch by Leonardo da Vinci

Here's snap-together kit that allows you to make a working model clock based on one of Leonardo's sketches. The clock uses a horizontal rotary pendulum design commonly known as a verge and foliot. The clock's speed is controlled by adjusting the weight and balance of the pendulum. It can be assemble in either a wall-mounted or standing configuration. The parts are plastic from the looks of it, but it's an attractive piece nevertheless.

Here is where you can get the Academy da Vinci Clock.

For more on clock escapements, check out Practical Clock Escapements by Laurie Penman. With over 400 line drawings the reader is taken step-by-step through the various operations when making or repairing escapements, with recommendations on the materials and tools to be used.

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Moving Paper Robin kit by Bliss Kolb

We featured artist Bliss Kolb many times here on The Automaton Blog. He's made some stunning bird-themed automata. He's now offering some lovely paper automaton kits such as the robin shown here. Once cut out and assembled, you lift up on the lever. This causes the robin to bend down and grab a worm. Halfway up, the robin loses the worm and it slides back underground.

The kit includes three pattern sheets with instructions. You will need to supply 4 Thumb Tacks , a hot glue gun or Elmer's Glue, a sewing needles or straight pin, Scotch tape, a nickel.

Here is where you can get the Moving Paper Robin Kit.

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Snap Circuits Extreme 750 with computer interface: The best way to learn electronics?

Snap Circuits Extreme is Elenco's largest set of snap-together circuits featuring 750 experiments -- including 73 computer interface experiments. The kit covers electromagnets, strobe lights, transistor AM Radio, solar power, and vibration switches in addition to all the other experiments included in their smaller kits such as the SC-100, SC-300, and SC-500.

Here's the link to Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits Extreme SC-750

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