Wonderful idea Jim. Depending on the design of the automata a removable campak could be swapped out with other campaks to provide a different effect. The writing automata come to mind.

I hope all of your 2020's are filled with lots of great automata! Mike Wooden Curiosities

Yes, thanks everyone. :)

The "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" automata was quite popular. I got orders for four more. :) It's good for the ego but bad for creativity. I find it hard to replicate pieces as it doesn't hold my in

Here's a video of the automata in action: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

I was wondering about the pros and cons of mixing media within the mechanics of our autuomata. For example could I use a brass, aluminum or steel rod in place of a wooden dowel rod, but then have wood

Jim, That is a nice touch. I'd be interested to know where you source them and see an example of how you install them.

Jim, your making great progress, the addition really add to the scene. What is hanging on the wall in the prisoner's room? I like seeing messy work spaces, it doesn't shock me at all, they seem more a

Gus, such a lovey piece, it really moves one's heart to see all the care and love you put into this automata. The finish is like glass. This is a heirloom piece if I've ever seen one. Splendid job.

Marc you did a wonderful job! Quite a bit of thought went into this project and it shows. Movable eyes add so much life to a character.

Thanks Gus, the drawing was worth a thousand words. :)

Glad you like it Jim! --------------------------------------------------------------- Gus, The cams worked smoother without the bottom portion attached, as they would occasionally bind. Once removed I

I made quite a bit of progress over the last two days. Front view of the entire automata. Santa and the reindeer move in a wave motion, the trees in the back ground spin in opposite directions and the

I've won't the gears to run smoothly without lubrication, but use bee's wax wood conditioner or wood butter (Which can also be used on wooden bowls and spoons). I have ordered several different types

Cranky Crab does custom orders as well, your imagination is the limit. I have had a couple custom orders completed at a surreal prices. Truly, it is more difficult to design and make such things cheap

Randy, that is spectacular, eye popping and simply amazing. I will be watching the progress on this one for sure!

I'm a bit behind schedule due to procrastination and equipment issues, but plan to finish the mechanisms in the next couple of days.

Since my CNC is down, I purchased three sets of gears from cranky crab workshop, it was a great experience, even the packing filled me with joy.

Jim, curious as to the cost. Do you incorporate the metal shafts in with the wood or do something entirely different?

It reminds me a bit of Superman's heat vision. :) I am looking forward to seeing this incorporated into an automata.