This mechanical watch shows the moving of the planets around the sun in miniature

Check out this unbelievable watch -- The magnificent Complication Poétique Midnight Planétarium -- which displays a tiny model of the solar system on your wrist. The watch shows representations of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The version without the diamonds will set you back $274,613 in U.S. dollars. The one with diamond is about $366,101!

An article on the watch may be viewed here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2548017/Forget-smartwatches-wear-150-000-PLANETARIUM-wrist.html#ixzz3VsKzrlM3

To learn more about this fascinating craft, I recommend Watchmaking by George Daniels. The book follows the making of the precision timekeeper, step by step, and is illustrated at each stage with line drawings and brief explanatory captions. The text is easy to follow and to not overly technical.

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Beautiful old style automata by Gale and Andrew Bantock

Check out this automaton by Gale and Andrew Bantock. Gale is a 12th-scale miniaturist and model-maker. Gale's figures are all hand-sculpted one-of-a-kind models, normally clothed using a mixture of decorated paper, leather, and material. Her work has been featured in books and magazines around the world with a numerous cover features.

This piece features a classical scene of musicians playing a duet on piano and cello (or at least I think it is, perhaps its a viola). A number of other things in the scene are animated including a parrot in its cage and a cat hiding in a basket. The level of detail is really impressive.

Here is were you can see more miniatures by Gale Bantock.

[ Thanks Christoph! ]

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Adam Savage assembles a kit showing you how to create your own Theo Jansen Strandbeest in miniature

I've posted several times about the wonderful mind and creations of Theo Jansen. He's the guy who builds huge PVC creatures that are meant to roam freely around the beaches, powered only by wind. Here is a nice look at a small kit that replicates one of his 'Strandbeests' in miniature. I've seen this kit around the internet, but this video REALLY shows what putting it together would be like. And, the demo is done by legendary MythBuster Adam Savage no less!

From the product description:

The fantastic Theo Jansen is world-renowned for his creations consisting of PVC pipes, wood, and various plastics. The resulting concoctions spring to life with the slightest breeze and walks the earth on hundreds of tiny feet all on its own. A beautiful amalgamation of art and engineering, these Strandbeest vary in size ranging from the size of small animals to behemoths of incredible proportion. Regardless of size, they all maintain baffling intricacies that make them seem alive.

Powered by wind alone, the completed kit does not require batteries, though it may be fun to motorize it too. The kit comes with a 28-page science and history guide as well as fully illustrated assembly instructions.

Here is where you can order your very own Strandbeest Kit.

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The man who has built tiny ships inside of bottles for 60 years

Check out this short film about Ray Gascoigne who builds those incredibly detailed ships that you see housed inside of bottles. In this well-made short film, he talks a bit about the process of making his extraordinary models. Here's a craftsman with a lot of patience, ingenuity, and a love for what he does.

From the video description:

Ray Gascoigne has been around boats his whole life, as a shipwright, a merchant sailor, and now as a ship builder on the smallest dry dock there is: a bottle. This short film by Smith Journal and Melbourne-based production studio Commoner picks through the wood chips to tell the story of a craft honed over 60 years, and the man behind it. A step-by-step account of the process was featured in Smith Journal volume six.

Here is where you can buy the journal with the article that features Ray Jascoigne.

[ Thanks John! ]

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The Unwelcome Dinner Guest - automaton by Dug North featuring a scene with a dog and bird

A while back I told you about the excellent mechanical wooden projects included in Gizmos & Gadgets special edition magazine. Here is some video of my contribution to the the magazine, a piece called The Unwelcome Dinner Guest.

The automaton depicts a backyard scene with a picket fence, doghouse, and birdhouse mounted to a pole. Apparently the dog has recently been fed because his bowl is overfull with food. Sadly for the dog, his leash has become wrapped around the birdhouse pole and he cannot reach his food bowl. This situation provides the perfect opportunity for the local bird to enjoy a big meal, free of charge. All the poor dog can do is wag its tail, jump, and bark at the bird.

The article in Gizmos & Gadgets shows you how to make a wood automaton from start to finish. I designed the automaton using simple wood shapes, and thin boards obtained from a local home improvement center, and assorted hardware. Using the wooden shapes means you don't have to have carving tools or skills. Using the boards from the home improvement center means you should be able to find them easily. While challenging for the beginner, the project should be fun and gratifying. People seem to really love the scene.

The original version of The Unwelcome Dinner Guest automaton that appears in the magazine is currently available. The signed piece will also include a copy of the magazine, also signed. Please use this contact form to get in touch with Dug North if you are interested in acquiring the piece or one like it.

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Working replica of Mercedes from 1900 is powered by a Stirling engine

It's wonderful to see so many great bbooks and plans on Sterling Engines. Likewise there is a huge range of working Sterling Engine models around these days. Some of the nicest I've come across are those sold by Hammacher Schlemmer. Take for example the beautiful external combustion kraftwagen model I posted about last year. I don't know who exactly is producing these beautiful metal models for them, but they state that they are made in Germany.

This fully operational model is machine-tooled from solid brass, stainless steel, and aluminum. Power is supplied by the amazing Stirling Engine which uses the expansion and compression of air to turn the engine. An alcohol burner in the rear fuels the engine. These engines are remarkably efficient: full burner of ethyl alcohol allows the engine to operate for up to 15 minutes. Not keen on the idea of running an engine indoors. No worries: the exhaust is just steam and heat!

Here is where you can get the Mercedes model powered by a Stirling engine

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Which Card Says 'I Love You' as Much as I Really Do? - Video of Valentine Automaton

As you may have heard by now, I will be exhibiting at the World Maker Faire in New York City this weekend, September 29 and 30, 2012. I know not all of you can make it, but that doesn't mean you can't see some of my pieces in action! I am pleased to announce that I'll be posting videos of some of my own automata over the next several days while I am getting ready for and participating in Maker Faire.

Presenting for the first time online, video of my piece titled Which Card Says 'I Love You' as Much as I Really Do?

I made this one quickly compared to most of my others. I like the general idea because I've been the poor fellow depicted in the scene. No commercial greeting card product seems to hit the nail on the head. Maybe this automaton does? The hundreds of miniature greeting cards took me nearly as long to make as the automaton itself. Here's a close-up shot of the cards in the display shelf:

The mechanism for the automaton is straightforward. The bouncing heart advertising display is driven by a two-lobed cam. The figure's head is turned from side-to-side by two offset cams hitting opposite edges of a circular driving plate. The rotating card carousel is driven by a small belt twisted 90 degrees from the rotation of the main axle.

The figure and the method of constructing it inspired my Tips, Techniques, and Tricks article #5 about a how to make a basic wooden head from simple shapes.

There appears to be a tradition among automaton-makers to make a piece related to Valentine's Day. This would be my contribution to the genre. Here's a round up of Valentine's Day pieces by other artists including Keith Newstead, Per Helldorff, Marc Horovitz, Rob Ives, Haruki Nakamura, and Paul Spooner. This list is by no means exhaustive; I know I've neglected many fine artists and examples.

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The worlds largest and most detailed model railway

Check out this incredibly detailed and ambitious model roalroad. To call it a "model railroad" though is kind of insufficient because it depicts so much more that trains. Simply incredible.

[ Thanks Will, Bill, and Thomas!]

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GĄBKA (Sponge) - solar-powered kinetic sculpture

The video here shows one of Szymon Klimek's incredible miniature brass sculptures. the sculpture measures 11.5cm x 9cm x 7cm. Though that is quite small, it is larger than much of Klimek's works -- many will fit inside of a wine glass. As with most of his pieces, the delicate metalwork is driven by small integrated solar panels. I'd love to see him putting one of these tiny model engines together. It would probably very educational!

See more miniature kinetic sculptures in brass by Szymon Klimek on his web site.

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Byrnes Model Machines 4 inch miniature table saw

I dearly love my little Proxxon table saw. I have assumed that I found the ultimate miniature table saw. As good as it is, it seems my saw may have some competition. Serious competition.

Shown here is the Byrnes Model Machines 4" Table Saw, precision-engineered with an accuracy measured in thousandths of an inch. I haven't used one, but it is loaded with carefully designed features. The web site says this little marvel is powerful enough to cut 15/16" hardwood -- and do it quietly!

Here is an review of the Byrnes Model Machines 4 inch miniature table saw from Ships in Scale Magazine. Here is another review of the Byrnes Model Machines 4 inch miniature table saw from Fly RC Magazine.

Here is where you can check out the Byrnes Model Machines 4" miniature table saw.

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Video profile of marionette maker Geahk Burchill

Here's a lovely video profile of marionette maker Geahk Burchill of The CastIron Carousel Marionette Troupe in Portland, Oregon. The video gives many fascinating glimpses into the process of making lifelike moving figures.

From the The CastIron Carousel web site:

The CastIron Carousel is a small, Portland local marionette troupe which does shows for grown-up audiences. Our themes include: Victorian era Science Fiction, 1920’s horror, prison, gangsters, Fairy tales and monster stories. We are inspired by Tom Waits, William Dwiggins, H.P. Lovecraft, H.G. Wells, Jack tales and Jules Verne. We work with Marionettes, Shadow puppets, Rod puppets and a smattering of other things. We do small beautifully strange plays with gorgeous sets and splendid puppets.

Learn more about The CastIron Carousel on their web site.

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Micro turning with a homemade rotary tool lathe

Ever wonder how to turn VERY small wood items? The January 2011 issue of the Lee Valley & Vertas Woodworking Newsletter features an article on micro turning by Maarten Meerman. The author has created a tiny high-speed lathe powered by a common Dremel rotary tool (shown above). The micro wood lathe allows him to turn incredibly small parts. It's a simple build for some very specialized work.

Here's the article on micro turning with a homemade rotary tool lathe.

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10 miniature wooden siege engine kits

There are only a few days left in this, The Year of the Physics Toy. There is always time for a good siege engine though, right? They make for good physics/history lessons, are a productive way to spend some vacation time, and happen to be just plain fun.

Here's a round-up of 10 miniature wooden siege engine kits:

 1 - Catapult Kit by Pathfinders. Here's my review of this catapult.
 2 - Trebuchet Kit by Pathfinders
 3 - Siege Tower Kit by Pathfinders
 4 - The Desktop Onager by RLT Industries
 5 - The Greek Ballista by RLT Industries
 6 - The Miniature Trebuchet by RLT Industries
 7 - Desktop Trebuchet by RLT Industries
 8 - The TK3 Model Trebuchet Kit
 9 - The Floating Arm Trebuchet by RLT Industries
10 - Stirling Warwolf Trebuchet by RLT Industries

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Teeny, tiny skeleton in a coffin mini automaton

The line of miniature automata they have over at Cabaret Mechanical Theatre is amazing! Keeping with the spirit of the month, here is the cutest-little-dead-guy you ever saw rising from the grave.

Here's where you can get the Skeleton in Coffin mini-automaton.

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Lazy Chair video and Miniature Lazy Chair

Shown here is a piece called Lazy Chair by Fresh West.

From the video description:

Lazy Chair by Fresh West is an experimental concept piece based upon small wooden animals toys held together by tension springs which when the based is pushed in, the tension is lost and the animal collapses. The chair has a diffident personality of its own which collapses on approach and then rights itself in a random human like manner after a few moments delay.

The clever folks at Laikingland are offering The Miniature Lazy Chair by Fresh West -- a 1:6 scale version of the original. Just push the lever and the chair collapses, after a few moments it too restores itself! This is what The Miniature Lazy Chair looks like:

Here's where you can see more images and/or order your own Miniature Lazy Chair.

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Comparison of two stage coach model kits

If you have ever give some thought to building a model stage coach kit, here's some valuable information for you. Our friend "bilagaana" -- creator of DIY instructions for a plans holder and model-maker's sanding box -- has created a comprehensive comparison of two different versions of the kit -- one by Amati and the other by Model Trailways.

Here's the link to the article on comparing the Amati and Model Trailways stage coach kits.

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Small, powerful, & accurate mini brass cannon

I know, I know...this definitely made the rounds on the really big blogs in the last few days. But, if even one of you, dear readers, hasn't seen this incredible tiny brass cannon, I will consider this post worthwhile.

[ Thanks Julia! ]

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Vertical Solar Machine by Szymon Klimek

Back in November of 2009, I did a short post featuring a tiny brass solar powered engine by Szymon Klimek. Here is another one of his incredible working miniature engines spinning away inside of a glass goblet! The detail and craftsmanship are simply fantastic.

See the full dazzling array of working miniatures by Szymon Klimek on his web site.

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Site featuring top 10 unbelievable miniatures

Check out this site with a bunch of cool miniatures!

[ Thanks Julia! ]

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Proxxon MICRO Woodturning Lathe

Makers of precision miniature power tools, Proxxon offers this very small-scale woodturning lathe.

From the manufacturer's description:

Proxxon Micro Woodturning Lathe DB 250. This compact size machine is ideal for turning pens or doll house items such as cups, plates, pots, vases, columns, also for model railroad items including power or signal posts and tanks, doll and marionette limbs. Thousands of classical model building items may be turned with ease. Adding final touches with paint to your work piece at lower speeds, easily done through the electronic speed control. the tool rest is conveniently adjustable in height as well as it turns through 360° allowing for centerless turning. Overall length 15-3/4 inches by 3-3/4 inch height. Weight: 5.5 pounds

Here's a link with more info on the Proxxon MICRO Woodturning Lathe. If you've already decided this is the tool for you, you'll want to pick up the Proxxon 5-Piece Turning Tool Set at the same time.

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