Too Much Coffee - download and make this paper automaton

Need something to do on a cold February weekend? Why not head over to the web site of paper enginneer Rob Ives and download the entertaining paper automaton shown in the video?

Too Much Coffee is an paper animation kit that you can download and print out from your computer. To do this project you will need to have some thin card stock paper, scissors, and some Elmer's glue. A cutting board and an X-acto knife will also make things much easier. The Too Much Coffee kit comes with two files: a full set of illustrated, step-by-step instructions and a file containing all the parts that you will need to print, front and back on six sheets of card stock.

Here is where you can purchase and download the Too Much Coffee paper animation kit. If you think you may make more than a couple of these models, you might want to consider getting a membership to RobIves.com.

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Free cartoon paper cutout toy patterns from the 1920s

Back in February of 2012, I posted about a bunch of free mechanical paper toy plans from the 1920s. The link previously posted by The Barnacle Press doesn't seem to work any longer. Fortunately, Christine Nelson has posted a set. These mechanical paper toy plans were created by an artist named Dan Rudolph for the LA Times back in 1922 and 1923. The plans show you how to make moving toys by cutting out and articulating the parts of various cartoon characters. Shown here is one example, titled Bimbo the Begging Monkey. There are lots to choose from including cartoon characters, animals, and the occasional celebrity.

Here is the link to the flickr set with Dan Rudolph Newspaper toy designs.

[ Thanks Christine! ]

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Pendulum-powered bobbing paper bird project with plans!

Here's a really clever paper project designed by artist/engineer, Rob Ives. The paper bird is powered by a pendulum in the base. When you move the box, even slightly, and the bird comes to life bobbing up and down. Rob Ives has created free plans for this project, complete with instructions and downloadable patterns!

Here where you can get the plans and instructions for the pendulum-powered paper bird project.

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