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 […]
Two Methods for Making Pinwheels Patterns – Dug’s Tips 3
Two Methods for Making Pinwheels Patterns Pinwheels – Gears for the Masses Gears are very useful to the automata-maker, but they can be tricky to make depending on your knowledge, skills, tools, and patience. Enter pinwheels: gears almost anyone can make! In a previous installment of this column, we looked at a number of methods […]