We are delighted to offer this limited edition collector’s piece from Martin Smith. It is the next piece in a series of his kinetic objects that celebrate love. As the handle is turned the gears engage to hypnotically flip, spin and rotate the heart. “She makes my heart spin, she always has”. Materials: Steel and […]
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Cam Followers for Automata – Dug’s Tips 16
Cams are the mechanisms that add life to our automata. As many people have noted, they can be viewed as a type of ‘memory’ that allows the mechanism to perform the same motion over and over again. Cams can’t do it alone, however. Cams are usually paired with a cam follower that translates the shape […]
The Mechanicals at The Observatory
The Mechanicals exhibition is at The Observatory Science Centre until 31st August 2015. The Observatory Science Centre Herstmonceux Hailsham East Sussex BN27 1RN Admission Charges: Adults £8. Children £6.15. Concessions and Family Tickets also available. The Observatory Science Centre
Magical Spring Automata by Keith Newstead
We have two new designs from Keith Newstead to celebrate the coming of Spring. The mythical Unicorn and leaping Hare are the latest pieces to join our lively mechanical menagerie. Unicorn by Keith Newstead …more info £130 (excl. VAT) March Hare by Keith Newstead …more info £130 (excl. VAT)
The Misplaced Museum
The Misplaced Museum until March 28th 2015 Six of our automata exhibits are enchanting visitors at the House of Fairytales latest exhibition in Kingston-upon-Thames. Free Entry: Tues – Sat 11am – 5pm / Wed Late – 7pm The Stanley Picker Gallery, Kingston School of Art, Knights Park, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 2QJ The Misplaced Museum
A Machine for Computing the Names of 13,500 Ventriloquist’s Dummies
We’re delving into the archives to take a closer look at some of Paul Spooner’s automata. This piece is from 2010. This machine is reminiscent of one of Paul’s very first machines (1969) which was an art criticism machine that he made while at art school. It is A Machine for Computing the Names of […]
Novelty Automation
The new London arcade of home-made coin operated machines built by enthusiasts – opens February 11th 2015 (twinned with ‘The Under The Pier Show‘ seaside arcade in Southwold, Suffolk) Tim Hunkin’s new arcade of slot machines, including some old favourites from CMT’s Covent Garden days -The Frisker, Test Your Nerve and The Chiropodist. Novelty Automation […]
Mechanicals at Wilton’s Music Hall
Our Mechanicals exhibition will be at Wiltons Music Hall from 12th to 17th February, as part of a series of making events with Fire the Inventor, for adults and children. 12th – 13th February Making Nights, with wine and music. 14th February, Exhibition and Family Workshop 16th February and 17th February Half Term fun and […]
New Valentine’s Automata
We have two one-off pieces from US artist Aaron Kramer for Valentines. Aaron writes: As a child, I fell in love with contraptions, coin-operated amusements and marionettes. The clack and clatter of machinery plus the visual ‘eye candy’ of mechanisms all gave me a thrill. I have always wanted to make things that moved or […]
Working with Brass, Part 3 – Soldering Brass – Dug’s Tips 15
In previous installments of this column, we looked at some methods for cutting brass and techniques for bending brass for your automaton projects. At some point, you will want to join some of these pieces without the use of screws, bolts, or other hardware. In this, the final installment of our series on working with […]
