Vintage video profile of toy maker Ron Fuller in his workshop

Here's another wonderful video from the archives over at Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. This short video features artist and toy maker, Ron Fuller, in his workshop. In the video we get to see his Woodland Animal mechanical piece The Circus, The Sheepshearer, a sand toy and many other creations from his charming workshop in Suffolk, England.

A kid at heart, it's great to see this grown man making mechanical toys. This piece makes a nice companion to the video profile of Ron Fuller from earlier this year.

If you like Ron Fuller's work and want to make some of the same models and automata, you will want to get his book The Art and Craft of Wooden Toys. It is very clear and well-illustrated. It's one of the few books with complete plans for a wood automaton -- his famous Lion Tamer automaton.

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Video profile of toy and automaton maker Ron Fuller

Artist Ron Fuller has been making toys, models, and automata for more than five decades. His name and art are well known in the world of contemporary automata. This short film gives us a glimpse into his workshop and his thoughts.

If you like what you see and want to make some of the same models and automata, be sure to check out Ron Fuller's book The Art and Craft of Wooden Toys. It's full of plans to make Fuller's charming creations including his famous Lion Tamer automaton. One of the best books of its kind. Trust me!

[ I first saw this video yesterday on the Junkculture blog. ]

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SketRobo drawing automaton can see & draw you!

Magician Brad Henderson from Austin Texas recently spotted this soon-to-be released toy automaton. The SketRobo is a small robot capable of drawing with pen and paper. OK...so we've seen automata that have been doing this for hundreds of years. What makes the SketRobo different is that it can change what it draws based on what it can see at any given moment.

One model draws images stored in memory. Another model has an on-board camera and facial recognition technology allowing it to draw portraits on the spot. Now that is a new twist on this old theme! The SketRobo should be available in the fall of 2012 -- retailing for around $60 for the no-camera version and about $100 for the one with the camera. It's being marketed as a way to teach kids how to draw, but I think we will see it put to many creative uses.

It is a remarkable coincidence that a drawing automaton product should follow so closely behind the release of the film Hugo, which featured just such a machine. It seems we are as fascinated today by the idea of a drawing machine as they were 200 years ago when audiences first saw Maillardet's drawing automaton. I wonder what he would have thought about the facial recognition technology?

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Build and operate a Darth Vader robotic arm

You may not know this but automata and artificial limbs have shared a long history. It seems only fitting that this relationship would continue to the present day and even into our notions of the future -- science fiction. Shown here is a robotic arm toy that replicates Darth Vader's artificial arm.

The Darth Vader Robotic Arm is a kit that snaps together. It includes the stand with built-in controls. The arm is capable of gripping hand holding lightweight objects. Most surprisingly, no batteries are required!

Be sure to read the positive reviews for tips on how to assemble the arm so that it does all that it supposed to do.

Here is a link to the Star Wars Science - Darth Vader Robotic Arm.

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Build a mini wind-powered Theo Jansen beast

If you are into the amazing mechanical life-forms created by artist Theo Jansen, then you'll be excited to learn about Gakken's Otona no Kagaku Kit #30. Called the Animaris Ordis Parvus, the kit is a tiny version of one of Jansen's huge wind-powered beach-walking creatures.

Here is one review of the Gakken's Otona no Kagaku Kit #30.
Here is a second review of Gakken's Otona no Kagaku Kit #30.

[ Found via this post at MAKE ]

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Coin banks - bizarre, traditional, fun & eductional

Recently, we featured this clever dog mechanical bank and a couple of banks that grab the coin. It got me wondering what other cool mechanical banks were out there. Here are some of my recent finds:

Face bank - most bizarre bank

Here's where you can get your own creepy/cute Face bank.


Clown bank - traditional cast iron bank

Maybe your tastes are more traditional? Here's cast iron bank you might like. Wind the clown around the ball until it latches, press the lever and he spins around the ball then stands on his hands while depositing your coin. Here's where you can get this reproduction clown bank.


Spin bank - automatic coin spinner

This one was a real surprise to me. It looks like addictive fun at an affordable price. Here's where you can get the coin spinning bank.


Safe bank kit - learning about mechanisms

What I like about this is that you construct the safe from items included in the kit and learn about its inner workings in the process. When you're done you can use it as a bank. Here's where you can get the armed safe money bank kit.

Check out a dozens of nifty mechanical banks at the the mechanical bank section of The Automata / Automaton Store.

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

I just ordered this book from Amazon and I cannot wait for it to arrive. If it lives up to the description, this could become a maker's bible!

The book explains mechanical design principles and their applications in non-technical terms, using examples and a dozen topic-focused projects.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Introduction to mechanisms and machines
• Basic physics
• How to fasten and attach things
• Converting between rotary and linear motion
• Using off-the-shelf components
• Using and finding materials such as metals, plastics, & wood
• A variety of fabrication techniques

This book sounds truly outstanding for makers of all sorts! I'll let you know what I think when the book arrives. It's due to ship in mid-December of 2010.

Here is where you can order the book Making Things Move DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists.

[ Thanks Gary! ]

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Toy physics: the pecking woodpecker toy

Another interesting examination of a seemingly simple mechanical toy. This time Dr. Dave takes a closer look at the wooden woodpecker toy. Once again, the slow-motion footage is revealing!

The woodpecker toy is made up of a pole with a sleeve around it. The hole in the sleeve is just a bit larger than the diameter of the pole. The sleeve is connected to the bird figure via a spring. Friction holds the sleeve (and woodpecker) in place initially. The beak striking the pole results in the sleeve sliding down the pole just a bit before it is once again jammed. The spring and rocking motion of the entire assembly allows the the sequence to rapidly repeat. It ends up being an effective simulation of a woodpecker's motion.

If you crave a more technical/mathematical description of the toy, check out this paper: Nonlinear Dynamics of the Woodpeck Toy.

Here is where you get your own wooden woodpecker toy for further experimentation (also known as 'play').

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Video from the first LEGO Festival in Greece

Images and video from the first LEGO Festival in Greece.

Visit http://web.me.com/NeXTSTORM for more projects & pictures.

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Vintage 1930s Zilotone muscial automaton tin toy

Made in the 1930s by Wolverine Manufacturing Company of Pennsylvania, this vintage musical automaton toy plays the xylophone. The tune it plays is "programmed" on the profile of a cam measuring about 3" in diameter. By changing the came, the little figure will play any one of six songs:

1. The Farmer in the Dell
2. Yankee Doodle
3. My Old Kentucky Home
4. Sidewalks of New York
5. Silent Night
6. Listen to the Mocking Bird

Here is the eBay listing for this particular Vintage ZILOTONE Muscial Automaton Toy

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El Toro - motorized bullfighter and bull tin toy

Here's an unusual -- and perhaps a somewhat grim -- vintage tin toy depicting a matador and bull. I'm not entirely sure in what ways the figures move, but it seems like it has some interesting possibilities.

From the eBay item description:

This El Toro snorting bull and matador is in totally unused condition and has its original box. No paint damage at all on this and no corrosion within the battery compartment. This toy was working perfectly when I put it in store with rest of the collection some 25-30 years ago. I put a battery in it but it’s not responding. I guess this is an easy fix but I don’t want to force anything. The box is a little stained – please see pictures – and the base has some damage but, apart from a little creasing, the lid is fine with great graphics. Assembled, the toy is around 6 inches high.

Here's the eBay listing with additional photographs of the El Toro - motorized bullfighter tin toy automaton

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A mechanically clever, but downright creepy toy

The folks over at The Weirdo Toys Blog, discovered this unusual mechanical toy. The toy makes use of those odd rubber finger puppet faces. The interchangeable faces are mounted on motorized "fingers" located on the figure's head. The range of expression created by this arrangement is truly disturbing. Add a raised axe in one hand and the tune "When the Saints go Marching in" and you have yourself one very hard-to-explain toy.

Here's a comprehensive write-up with additional videos on the Magic Monster on the The Weirdo Toys Blog.

[ Thanks Bob! ]

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Wind-up Meccano bird sculpture by Aaron Ristau

Check out this automata sculpture by Aaron Ristau made from Meccano toy parts! The bird bodies are parts from antique hair curlers and the wings made of Mylar. A crank allows you to wind-up the device which will run for about a minute.

See more great sculptures by Aaron Ristau at aaronristau.com.

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More cute wind-up robots that do unlikely things

Recently, we featured a little wind-up robot that serves as a pencil sharpener. A trend is emerging. Here are more wind-up robots with a utilitarian purpose: they dispense salt and pepper. So, if someone asks for the salt at dinner -- and they are very patient -- you can wind the appropriate robot up and send it walking over to them. I suppose it would be fun to do to an unsuspecting guest.

Here's a link to the wind-up robot salt and pepper shakers

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5 foot long working scale roller coaster model

Shown here is a 1/48th scale working roller coaster model.

From the model description:

A rotating spring lifts the train up the first hill, then releases the train, where it dives and rises into its second turn. The second hill provides enough potential energy for the train to continue smoothly around the loop and power it through its corkscrew. The kit consists of 464 pieces made of durable ABS and POM plastic. When fully assembled, it spans 4' 9" long by 15" wide and stands 25" tall.

Here's a link to the working scale roller coaster.

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Techno Gears Marble Raceway Mania

This is a 420 piece marble track with a competitive twist (sorry for the pun). Two players release one marble each simultaneously with the press of a button. Each marble encounters spinning wheels, dips, a chicane, a corkscrew, a pachinko-like bumper course, a lane switching trigger, and a set of weighted levers. When a marble reaches the finish line, the clock stops and flashes "Winner" on the screen.

Here is a link to the Techno Gears Marble Raceway Mania.

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PARABOLA mechanical sculpture with wood gears

Here's a charming kinetic sculpture by Brett Dickins titled Parabola. The free-standing mechanical sculpture features wooden gears and matte black wooden framework and is driven by electric motor. It shoots a ping-pong ball up and out to land on a slanted platform that causes it to bounce neatly back into the machine. There is something very satisfying in that cycle.

See more artwork by Brett Dickins on his YouTube channel.

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Levitron - floating top supported by magnets

The Levitron top floats in space -- supported only by magnetic waves and the balance imparted by the spinning top. This is the upscale version of the Levitron featuring a cherry wood housing and brass leveling legs. Very nice.

From the product description

Classiest Levitron Anti-Gravity Top - Elegant, wood housing with brass-tone leveling legs. Unique base design amazes onlookers as the high-flying top levitates mysteriously above the opening in the center! Strong magnetic forces hold the top and lifter plate securely in place for easy carrying and storage. A Self-Starter is highly recommended for purchase with Leviton Cherry Wood. Ease in setting the top is essential for not damaging the elegant cherry wood.

Here's the link to the Levitron in cherry wood and brass.

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K'Nex Motorized Madness Ball Machine

Consisting of over 2000 pieces (OK...2,004 to be exact), the K'Nex Motorized Madness Ball Machine is a towering ball run contraption for the ambitious builder. A motorized ball lift continuously carries the 5 balls to the top of the tower, where they are dropped to find their way down 3 different ball runs.

From the product description:

The downward spiral sends balls down a dizzying ride to the bottom. The hammer drop transports the balls off the track and onto 2 swiveling elevators, and the funnel drop sends balls on an express ride straight to the bottom.

Appropriate for builders of 9 years and over, Amazon claims you can still order this with their Standard Shipping to get it by December 24th.

Here's the link to the K'Nex Motorized Madness Ball Machine.

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Gary Schott's MECHANICAL PLAYTHINGS

Texas-based metalsmith, jeweler and educator, Gary Schott, will be holding his first real solo show, called MECHANICAL PLAYTHINGS starting this week.

The show opens Nov. 28th at Design Works, located in Galveston, TX at 2119A Post Office Street. The opening reception will be held from 6-9PM Saturday Nov. 28th, 2009.

It is sure to be a great show in which you can touch and play with some mechanical art-toys.

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