Zoltar Speaks replica fortune teller - How it was made

Roger Hess wrote to say that he has created a long "how it's made" article detailing the build process of the Zoltar Speaks fortune teller we featured on this blog back in 2010. The video shown above is a new compilation of video clips which shows the mechanism in operation.

This article is a fascinating in-depth look at the process. If you have any interest in old coin-operated machines (or are perhaps thinking of making one) this article is full of useful stuff.  It has a little bit of everything: cam timers, casting eyeballs, paint techniques, jewelry-making, and advanced woodworking methods. And, that's just a taste!  The article serves also to demonstrate the amount of skill and dedication required for a project of this magnitude. My hat is off to Roger Hess. Incredible.

Here's a link to the full-length article on The Making of the Zoltar Speaks Fortune Teller Replica.

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How to make a working brass key to fit an old lock from scratch

Check out this video in which Jimmy DiResta creates a brass key sekeleton key to fit an old lock. So many great techniques are shown without a word being spoken!

See the full post: http://makezine.com/video/diresta-brass-key/

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German-style 3 inche jeweler's saw frame with blade assortment

Here is a 3 inch jeweler's saw that gets high marks on Amazon. These are great for cutting intricate shapes in thin sheet metals such as gold, silver, copper, and brass. The saw comes with a pack of 144 saw blades in assorted sizes (fineness of cut). If you are just getting started with one of these, you'll want two things to go with it. First, you will want a decent bench pin to use as a sawing platform. I use a wood bench pin with a metal anvil. This saves you from shifting back and forth between tools quite so often. Finally, you will want some Cut Lube or beeswax with which to lubricate the back side of the saw blade.

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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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Help Gary Schott create a new workspace and get new limited edition kinetic works!

In celebration of deciding to build his first private studio space, metalsmith, jeweler, and kinetic artist, Gary Schott, is offering two limited edition designs to the donors of his Indiegogo campaign. The two designs are based on his ongoing series of works, Mustache Portraits. The front of one piece is shown above and the back below. They are beautifully crafted.

The first comprehensive book of his Schott's work will also be a donor gift included with each limited edition piece. Maybe you have a friend who collects contemporary jewelry. Maybe you know someone who loves automata and mechanical toys. Perhaps you just really want to help support a member of the creative community. This Indiegogo project ends in just 10 days. Don’t miss this opportunity to collect one or both of Gary’s whimsical and and elegant works!

 You can read more, see the other design, and watch the supporting video on  Gary’s project page.

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German-made hand vise used by jewelers, watchmakers, and clockmakers

The hand vise shown here is sure to be a useful addition to any Maker's toolbox. Similar tools have been used by jewelers, watchmakers and clockmakers for ages.

Based on the design of a tool from the 1900s, this little hand vise is helpful for holding all manner of small objects. Because there is a hole which passes through the handle, wire can be threaded all the way through and then worked above the serrated jaws which hold it securely.

The hand vise is tightened with a wing nut. Made in Germany of high grade tool steel, it measures 4-1/2 inches in length with a 5/8 inch jaw width.

Here is where you can get this German-made hand vise.

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Clockwork Universe: The amazing German clocks and automata from 1550 to 1650

The book entitled Clockwork Universe: German Clocks and Automata, 1550-1650, is a comprehensive history of the golden age of German clock-making. The book explores the complex mechanisms, the exquisite artistry, and the changing world-view that contributed to their creation.

The guiding thesis of the book is a familiar but compelling one:

The mechanical clock, at least in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, with its rational design and regular running, demonstrated an orderliness lacking in almost every aspect of life at that time. The clock came to offer an explanation for the mysterious workings of the cosmos: living creatures were in fact automata, and the universe itself was an enormous clockwork.

The book features beautiful black & white and color photographs, 200 illustrations and technical drawings. These visuals supplement the detailed descriptions of clocks, automata and mechanical celestial globes from this period. There is even a short section on the famous monk automaton. This is a wonderful reference book covering some astounding mechanical creations.

Here is where you can get a copy of Clockwork Universe: German Clocks and Automata, 1550-1650.

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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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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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The process of creating a kinetic boxer sculpture by Aaron Kramer

Artist Aaron Kramer created this wonderful kinetic sculpture of a boxer in motion. As is his custom, he started with a mechanism and no real plan. Working with metal, and joining it by welding allowed him to change and adapt the design on the fly. Here is a 19 minute video which documents the entire fascinating process. He has provided a running caption below the image providing insights into his thoughts and process.

From the artist:

I have always liked when others produce “process” videos. It gives me an insight into their brains that the finished piece doesn’t always reveal. Making things move is not a straight-line process. It involves putting together and taking apart a million times before you get it right. I like to see that messiness. It makes me feel human. In my case it took several thousand cranks and a whole lot of welds in order to breathe life into my little figure.

Here is where you cans see more art by Aaron Kramer.

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How to work with brass: part 1, tools for cutting brass

The latest installment of my articles on automaton making is now available on the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre web site. In this one, we look at some different ways to cut brass rod, wire, tubing, and sheet. We use various tools including cutting pliers, hacksaws, tubing cutters, hobby saws, and the jeweler's saw.

Here is where you can find Dug's Tips No. 13 on How to Cut brass.

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Book: Hardening, Tempering and Heat Treatment

I love this entire little Workshop Practice series of books. If you work with metal or want to, here's one worth getting: Hardening, Tempering and Heat Treatment

From the book description:

A comprehensive exposition of the structure of steels and the effects of different heat treatments, particularly in respect of tools. It includes solid fuel, gas and electric furnaces, case hardening, tempering and other practical information. Features accurate colour temperature charts.

It gets great reviews from quite a few people on Amazon. Here is where you can order Hardening, Tempering and Heat Treatment (Workshop Practice). Be sure to check out the entire line of in the Workshop Practice Series. There are books on every possible aspect of metal and shopw work, tools, and techniques. I wish they sold them as a complete set!

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Learn to make rolling ball kinetic sculptures with artist Tom Harold

Artist Tom Harold noticed that many people in online forums had the same questions about getting started building rolling ball sculptures out of steel.

Seeing that no videos existed to directly address these questions, he put together the starter video shown here. This video is part one of a series that may end up being about three or four videos in length. This one focuses mostly on welding 1/8 inch steel rod. Great stuff!

You cans see more of Tom Harold's kinetic sculpture on his web site.

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Super-small 12 cylinder engine may be the smallest in the world!

With close to six million views on YouTube, this video doesn't fall into the "undiscovered" category. Nevertheless, it falls into the crazy-amazing-miniature-machine category.

This incredibly small motor is the work of a Spanish engineer named Patelo. 1200 hours went into designing and fabricating one of the world's smallest V12 engines. The video shows the assembly process and culminates in the motor running on compressed air. This is some very fine miniature machining, indeed.

It's Monday; let this inspire you to make all that you can of the coming week. Enjoy!

[ Thanks John! ]

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Walter - a tinplate robot automaton by Marc Horovitz

Check out this awesome new automaton by Marc Horovitz of Sidestreet Bannerworks!

The automaton features an aging robot named Walter. When the crank is turned, Walter bends down to pick up the glasses he seems to have dropped. Sadly, he can't accomplish this task. Having knees certainly would help.

The robot figure is made of tinplate, using techniques found on the outstanding Tinplate Girl website. If you haven't checked it out yet, the site has a wealth of information about how to fabricate cool stuff with thin metal sheets.

Like many of us, Horovitz started making automata after being inspired by the work of Paul Spooner and other automaton makers associated with Cabaret Mechanical Theatre. His mechanisms are compact, elegant, and often elaborate -- not unlike Spooner's. The long cycle, subtle motions, compelling character, and witty storyline show that Horovitz has mastered the craft of contemporary automata making.

You can see more automata by Marc Horovitz on the Sidestreet Bannerworks website.

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Automata as jewelry - pendant automaton by Kimberly Nogueira

Here is a small mechanical piece of jewelry by metalsmith Kim Nogueira. The piece, a pendant to be exact, recently won first place in a design contest held by Metal Clay Artist Magazine. This year's annual design competition was called "Metal Clay Plus...". The magazine was looking for work that incorporated innovative combinations of metal clay and non-metal materials.

Nogueira's piece, entitled Lost Point of Origin, is made from fine silver, sterling and bronze clays, mica, vitreous glass enamel, faper, thread, tourmaline, a found object, pearl, etched and pierced copper sheet, fine silver wire, sterling silver sheet, wire and tubing. That's a lot of different materials!

From the artist:

When I made this piece, I had no idea that others would be interested in what I thought was a beautiful but very odd box. I was just excited to have an excuse to push myself to use whatever materials my heart desired to tell a story.

You can see more jewelry by Kim Nogueira on her web site.

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'Be Mine' - a small kinetic sculpture made of tinplate

Tinplate Girl made a special Valentine's Day gift using the various metalworking techniques she demonstrates on her awesome instructional site. Tinplate Dad got into the act too. He made a small kinetic sculpture you'll see in the second half of the video. Both projects incorporate tinplate, brass wire, a bit of wood, soldering, and mechanical fastening. No glue was used!

Here is where you can read about and see more images of these two tinplate Valentine's Day projects.

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Wonder Object - Film featuring artist Gary Schott

Here is a lovely film that features the art and thoughts of metalsmith and kinetic sculptor, Gary Schott. He has a wonderful approach to his work and creates finely-crafted and unique art.

From the film description:

Artist Gary Schott utilizes his skills as a Metalsmith to create playful and beautiful mechanized objects. This documentary was produced in association with Southwest School of Art. Learn more about their BFA program at swschool.org.

Learn more about the artist on his web site at GarySchott.com.

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How to drill a square hole in wood or metal

When I saw the title of this video, I thought I knew what to expect -- a mortising bit in a drill press. This type of bit has a round drill bit that is trapped inside of a hollow square chisel. As the drill bit bores the hole, the square chisel is forced down, removing the thin corners that remain around its circumference. I've always wanted one, but have yet to find an excuse to buy one.

That's not what this video shows at all. This tool really does drill a square hole! OK, so the corners and ever-so-slightly rounded, but this is still a mind boggling concept. There are plenty of videos like the one below on YouTube showing people using this technique to drill square holes in metal. That's not something you can do with a mortising bit. This one was apparently described in the November 2006 issue of Model Engineer Magazine.

Via Neatorama.

Thanks Julia!

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