Turn any bike into a audible horse simulator

Trotify is a a wooden device that sits on the front wheel of your bike and makes it clop like a horse. This is the kind of simple mechanical whimsy that we need more of in the world.

Here is where you can learn more or order your own Trotify kit.

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Scriblo - a hand-cranked handwriting automaton kit

Check out the latest creation for Shasa Bolton: a handwriting automaton called "Sciblo". Scriblo is designed to sketch simple words and pictures when you turn the handle.

Scriblo is sold as a flat-pack kit. The pieces slot together without glue. The piece can be mounted on a wall or sit on a table. The kit comes with the cams to spell "yes".

Here is where you can learn more about Scriblo, the handwriting automaton.

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Beautiful bird automaton kit with flapping wings

Shasa Bolton wrote from Tasmania, Australia to share the news of a new flapping wing automaton kit.

This beautifully designed kit mounts on a wall or table. Once separated from the sheets, follow the instructions and slot the parts together. No glue is required! This looks like a great project or gift that one can assemble in under 2 hours.

Here is where you can get the wall-mounted flapping wing automaton kit.

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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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Summer projects: Build your own wooden ornithopter kinetic model

Take a look at the cool wooden ornithoper kit! The model is based on an invention found in one of
Leonardo's notebook's

Turning the hand-crank sets in motion the gears and linkages that operates the wings, legs and arms of the pilot. It's a pretty big model, measuring 17" by 24" by 12".  The wooden construction kit uses a pegged gear train -- a lantern pinion and contrate pin wheel. This component alone would make this a model worth examing closely!

Here is where you can get the  wooden ornithopter model.

For the advanced Leonardo fanatic:
Leonardo's Machines: Da Vinci's Inventions Revealed

From Leonardo da Vinci's descriptions and drawings - and by using digital imaging - armoured ships, hydraulic machinery, winches and machines destined for use in war, work and pleasure emerge fully equipped and functional in stunning 3-dimensional, computer-generated artworks. A fascinating in-depth discussion of da Vinci's work and inventions accompanies these illustrations, revealing at the same time the incredible journey the authors of this book travelled whilst compiling it.

Here's is where you can find books on Leonardo's inventions.

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Amazing lion tamer circus act automaton kit made from paper!

Check out the amazing new paper automaton kit from cool4cats! In the fine tradition of Alexander Calder and Ron Fuller, the automaton features a Lion Tamer circus act. It also incorporates a clever trick found in some of the venerable French automata.

From the kit description:

Here's the wonderful lion tamer!  The kit contains all the materials  you need to build this amazing automaton.  You'll need glue, a craft knife and a few simple household items to help with assembly, but a word of caution: the lion tamer is a complex kit, so a fair degree of care and patience is needed, it's not suitable for young children.

Here is where you can order The Lion Tamer paper automaton kit.

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'Make Your Own Working Paper Clock' book documented in stop-motion animation

As if it wouldn't require enough patience to complete the Make Your Own Working Paper Clock book/kit, here is the entire process documented in old-school stop-motion animation! I can't get over how long this must have taken! This film gives you a wonderful feel for what completing the project is like. You get to see every piece form, then self-assemble into the finished clock. This is quite an accomplishment on several levels.

Here is where you can buy your own copy of the book Make Your Own Working Paper Clock

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The Busted Bricks Marble Machine #2 kit has a wheel elevator and two tracks

A while back, I posted about a new laser-cut marble machine kit from Michael Henriksen, the man behind BustedBricks.com. His second marble machine design is shown in the video. It is is now available as a kit also.

Marble machine #2 is a larger, more complex machine than his first. It has a 150x150mm base and stands 170mm tall. It features a wheel lifter to elevate the 7mm chrome steel balls, which come with the kit. A track switch distributes the balls between the two independent tracks, one of which has a collector that dumps the balls when three have been collected. The lifter wheel is pre-assembled to make sure everything operates as it should.

If you would like to get a good sense for what is involved in making the kit, here is where you can download the assembly instructions.

Here is where you can get the Busted Bricks Marble Machine #2 kit.

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Hand-cranked miniature ball track kit made from laser cut parts

Not long ago I posted about a nifty miniature ball track kit. Well, it looks like we might be witnessing the beginning of a trend. The video above shows a different miniature ball track designed by Martin Raynsford, the clever fellow who created the mechanical version of the Donkey Kong arcade game.

The kit allows you to assemble a hand-cranked marble machine. The kit includes all the laser cut wooden parts, the nuts and bolts, and enough balls to fill the machine up and spares (10).

Here is where you can get more details or buy Marble Machine Kit #1.

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Marble Machine Kit #1 - The worlds first commercially available laser-cut minature hand-cranked marble machine

I posted a few days ago about a neat little hand-cranked mini ball track.The kit version is now available from BustedBricks.com.

According to the kit's designer, Michael Henriksen, it is the world's first commercially available, miniature hand-cranked, marble machine kit with both lifter and track that is cut on a laser. As the previous post mentioned, the wire track has been replaced with a laser-cut wood track in the kit. I think it turned out great. Just take a look:

I am told the kit is easy to build, requiring only glue, sandpaper, and a sharp hobby knife. Complete assembly instructions are available to download as a PDF.

The base measures 70 x 70 mm (about 3 x 3 inches) and is 120 mm in height (about 5 inches). The kit can be built such that it may be turned with either the left or right hand. Plenty of 5mm steel balls are supplied with the kit.

The price for the kit is £12.95 GBP. For customers in the USA, the kit (with shipping) will cost about $30 USD. I'm going to stand by my earlier statement that this will make an excellent holiday gift for young and old alike. Here is where you can get the Marble Machine Kit #1.

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Laser-cut Stirling engine kit runs on a single tea candle

Check out this lovely Stirling engine. As you can see in the video, it runs very well on a single small tea candle. In addition, the diaphragm material is easy to replace. The parts are laser-cut Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF).

This Stirling engine will be available as a kit from the nice folks at Bustedbricks.com, who also offer supplies the models, model engineering, and other hobbies.

For more info on Stirling engines (until you get the kit shown here, of course) check out the book Eleven Stirling Engine Projects You Can Build, which includes detailed reviews of 4 existing Stirling engine kits, several original engine designs by the author, and a few classic designs from the web. Many of the design in the book can be made with materials scrounged from around the house.

If you simply can't live without a one, this assortment of Stirling engine kits should keep you very busy. Enjoy!

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