Jim, take a look at papermodelers.com for some backgrounds. There's also Fiddlers Green though they are 99% paid models. Ron

I've never seen that before. Very interesting. Although I'm completely new to automata, I find myself looking at mechanism animations and wondering which of them are within my skill level. The

Thanks Jim. Yes it's definitely a puzzler. It's been good fun researching so far, stumbling across all sorts of wonderful inventions in the patents database. Lots of food for thought. Best

Thanks for the tips Ron. I keep thinking along the lines of "hybrid". I can see how some very wonder detail could be added to an automation using printed paper. I appreciate that you've brought paper

Hi Gus... Hopefully, I'll be renting in yearly increments. The hour meter is for 'maintenance' purposes. For example, I'll appreciate knowing how many hours I can expect from the gear motors before

Hi Gus... I've successfully installed motor/hand-crank combinations on several of my pieces and I'm always glad that I did. I isolate the motor from the hand-crank using two one-way bearings. This

Hi Jim, What is its purpose ? For your maintenance attention, or are you thinking to rent it on hourly basis ? Gus

Hi Jim, I think a hand crank involves the observer more than motorised, so it will be manual. Though, in this case, given the size of the whole, it might be beneficial to stand back. Thanks for the

Just FYI...here is the link to the Rob Ives website. Cheers -Jim-

Some "lessons learned" on paper modeling based on Rob Ive's patterns. He has a fair number of free ones, and he also has models on the Brother paper craft site but most of those are static. There are

Thank you Jim, I appreciate it. The biggest and hardest lesson has been to not freak (uh, have a tantrum) over glue where it's not wanted. It generally turns out to be reasonably benign and from what

Hi Ron... Thanks for sharing. Paper automata is real. And to my sense of things difficult. I've never gotten tuned in to paper and really admire those that are tuned in. And thanks for sharing this

Craig... I admire your tenacity. You are deep into the research! I do hope that you find the solution (and that you share it with us). And also that you will share your experimentation. I've

Hi Gus... Not yet...I just received an 'hour meter' that I am in the process of installing. Then I'm going to take it out and try to market it. Cheers -Jim-

Hi Gus... Thanks for posting. I got out my converting calculator and see that this figure will be 31" high. Very impressive. I like the way that you have carved the head...nice shape and proportions

I hesitate to call this anything of my own, standing on the shoulders of giants type of thing. Very political, I do not want to debate, just using my freedom of expression. But for others who struggle

Wish you luck with your product display. Is it in operation at a commercial establishment ? Gus

A politician is standing in front of the usual flag background, and an impressive foyer, behind an equally impressive lectern. He is delivering a message, as they tend to do. At the end, something

Hi Everyone, A quick update on this for those that are interested. Spent quite a bit of time searching (and getting sidetracked - google patents database throws up all sorts of great stuff!), and

Thanks Jim. That's a great deal of useful information. I've only used DC geared motors myself, which run happily for push-button operation (short running). I will definitely have to start using the