A new piece from Paul Spooner.
“If you were trying to make a mechanism that transmitted rotary motion smoothly, here are three mechanisms to avoid.
1). The well-known sliding block mechanism which translates steady circular motion into a wobbly approximation of it.
2). A magnet rotating near another magnet which picks up its motion in a fitful manner.
3). A bearing which deviates from the ideal cylindrical form by having two ears, two noses and four eyeballs added to its circumference.
The result is an uneasy action which might not be desirable in many machines but is OK for this Shakespeare-inspired item. Comes with a very small pair of shoes and a facsimile of a spread from Sue Spooner’s school edition of Henry IV part 2.”
Limited Edition of 3 only. Sold.
15cm wide by 15cm high by 5cm deep
Hello all: I’m a recently retired college professor who, in my youth owned a small woodworking company. I’m in the process of rebuilding my wood shop (on a much smaller scale for sure!) and have simply fallen in love with much that comes out of the Land of Automata. I’ve started buying some of the related books from Frost and Peppi … are there others available with ideas, plans, etc. I will eventually attempt my own design ideas but feel that it would help me get started if I can get inspiration from all of you and adapt the designs of others to my own. I plan on incorporating several different styles (folk art, hand carved, machined, cnc, heat transferred graphics, etc) … one of my degrees minored in graphic design so I feel I am dangerous enough to perhaps produce something others might think worthy … regardless I’m excited to get started … any links, book references, blogs, groups, clubs and other sources would be most appreciated. My hope for my first project is to make a woman, sewing a quilt with a sewing machine (my wife if a great quilter and I want to make this for her)
Thanks very much Bob Campbell in the USA
Hi Bob
I guess you’ve found our online bookshop by now. There’s an automata Facebok group where you might get useful feedback.
Generally, people start with something that’s too ambitious so I suggest beginning by making small elements of your design – little tests that are easy to throw away. Make drawings, use cardboard and have fun!
Good luck
Gary