Building the Boxes for Wood Automata There is no rule that says the mechanism for a wood automaton must be contained inside of a box, but the practice does have some advantages. A box makes a sturdy base, provides even surfaces for mounting mechanisms and figures, and can make the construction process easier. While there […]
21 Rotary Tool Tips and Tricks for Automata-Makers – Dug’s Tips 6
21 Rotary Tool Tips and Tricks for Automata-Makers The high-speed rotary tool can do the work of dozens of other tools. With the right bits and accessories, this little powerhouse can cut, carve, engrave, drill, grind, sand, brush, and polish a variety of materials! Here are some tips to help automata-makers get the most from […]
A Man of Many Faces: a Prototype Wooden Head from Basic Shapes – Dug’s Tips 5
A Man of Many Faces: a Prototype Wooden Head from Basic Shapes Creating interesting characters is an important part of making a wood automaton because they are often the actors on the mechanically-driven stage. In this article, we will make a generic male head that does not require woodcarving skills or special tools. This head […]
Dug’s Automata Tips, Techniques and Tricks – Tools and References
This is a list of related books, materials and tools which may be helpful when reading articles from our blog series Dug’s Automata Tips, Techniques and Tricks. Tips & Tricks No. 8 – Joints for Automata Figures Further Reading The Human Machine (Dover Anatomy for Artists) Amazon UK – Amazon US Making and Manipulating Marionettes […]
Attaching Cams, Pulleys, Cranks, Gears and Handles to Wooden Shafts – Dug’s Tips 4
Attaching Cams, Pulleys, Cranks, Gears, and Handles to Wooden Shafts To get things moving in an automaton, some parts must be attached firmly to round wooden shafts. But how? And which way is best for your project? Read on! The techniques discussed below apply to cams, pulleys, eccentrics, cranks, gears, handles, and other parts. I’ve […]