Gift ideas: great books for the mechanically-minded

Have yet to find a gift for that mechanically-minded person in your life? Here's a short 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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Book: Making Whirligigs, Whimsies, & Folk Toys

If you haven't seen it yet, check out this book by Rodney Frost! This is the man who brought us Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood as well as Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits, and Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood.

As with all of Rodney Frost's books, this one is full of wonderful mechanical toy projects, solid advice on how to make them, step-by-step instructions, and large diagrams of the projects. The author -- known for his clever designs and charming folk aesthetics -- covers how to create whirligigs, traditional folk toys with interesting variations, and some unusual new kinetic creations. There are full-size patterns for 19 projects in total.

Rodney Frost's books are among the most useful for those interested in learning to build their own kinetic creations, whirligigs, and automata out of wood.

Here is where you can order Making Whirligigs, Whimsies, & Folk Toys

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Piano player automaton project - a video tutorial in two parts

Part 1 - Scroll saw automaton project

Here is a two part video tutorial from the scrollsaw workshop of Steve Good. Part one is shown above and part two is below. In the videos, Steve teaches you how to build an automaton using a scroll saw primarily. It's a wonderful tool that is more versatile than many people realize. Here you see it put to good use. The project plans the piano player automaton are available free of charge on Steve's blog.

Part 2 - Scroll saw automaton project

These videos are a fantastic resource, no doubt about it. This project is very similar to one by Rodney Frost published in his book Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood. Pages 26 through 31 of that book provide plans for a piece called The Pianist (shown at right). This could be a case of independent invention or it could be that a tip of that hat is due to Mr. Frost. So, in the interest of fairness and completeness, I will take the liberty of doing that here. If you would like to do this project, and many others, Mr. Frost's book features a dozen or more excellent automaton projects.

[ Thanks Charles! ]

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The Incredible Dancing Santa automaton by Tim Donald

Tim Donald was born and raised in the beautiful countryside of the Welsh Marches, where he still lives. After studying art in college, and spending time working as an undertaker, Tim turned his love of making things into a career as a professional artist.

There appears to be a strong tradition among automaton-makers to make automata featuring Santa Claus. Tim Donald has contributed to this fine tradition with this lively automaton inspired by a traditional Folk Art design.

This dancing Santa is both hand-carved and painted. When the handle is turned the figure jumps, dances, kicks his legs, and swings his arms -- all in front of a hand-painted sign reading 'The Incredible Dancing Santa'.

Here is where you can get the Dancing Santa automaton and other kinetic work by Tim Donald.

If you have a mind to make something like this of your own, you can find designs for many dancing figures in Rodney Frost's books Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood and Making Whirligigs, Whimsies, & Folk Toys. Full-size schematics and drawings, and detailed written instructions, guide woodwokers through the process building, carving, and assembling a variety of animated wooden projects.

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Making Whirligigs, Whimsies, & Folk Toys book

As of June, there is a new book by Rodney Frost! This is the man who brought us Making Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels in Wood as well as Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits, and Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood.

As with all of Rodney Frost's books, this one is full of wonderful mechanical toy projects, solid advice on how to make them, step-by-step instructions, and large diagrams of the projects. The author -- known for his clever designs and charming folk aesthetics -- covers how to create whirligigs, traditional folk toys with interesting variations, and some unusual new kinetic creations. There are full-size patterns for 19 projects in total.

Rodney Frost's books are among the most useful for those interested in learning to build their own kinetic creations, whirligigs, and automata out of wood.

Here is where you can order Making Whirligigs, Whimsies, & Folk Toys

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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

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!

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

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

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

5 Best Books for Wood Automaton Makers

Here is a list of books for people who want to make an automaton out of wood. These books deal with the subject directly, all have useful patterns, and the first three have detailed plan drawings. I recommend all of these highly.

1 - Automata and Mechanical Toys- Rodney Peppe

2 - Making Mechanical Toys- Rodney Peppe

3 - Whacky Toys, Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits- Rodney Frost

4 - How to Design & Make Automata  - Rob Addams

5 - Cabaret Mechanical Movement- Aidan Lawrence Onn, Gary Alexander