Welcome to my new blog, here are things that come into my mind, feel free to comment on them if you wish.

My Kits for sale

 My card kis are for sale at this shop.  http://www.books.com.tw/products/N000280431
I have also designed a range of wooden kits which will be avaliable soon.

Woodhall Spa Donations Box

My donations box for Woodhall Spar is finished.I hope it makes a good amount of money for them. 

Woodhall Spa Donations Box

 The automata is  working and ready for painting.It will have an aged rusty look.

Woodhall Spa Donations Box

 I have made the base,instaled the motor and fitted the cams and levers.I have also connected the levers to the moving figures above. The next job will to be to work out the sequence and cut the cams. The duration of the automata is 25 seconds.

Woodhall Spa Donations box

 Work is going well on the donations box.. I am making the top scene first, and the base later.
I used to do it the other way around but I find this system is more flexible, as the figurative elements can be moved around to get the best composition, and later the base can be  made to fit. 

The steam chamber. Cut from an old plastic soil pipe.
Plastic is a great material as it is not subject to humidity.
Man before steam rejuvination
Man after. He drops his towel when the door opens. I wanted him to have a willy but the museum said NO.
The turntable installed into the steam chamber. It runs on ball bearings
The sequence starts with the thin man.
This is the return spring for the door. The slot controls the travel of the turntable.
This weight tensions the turntable in an anti-clockwise direction (looking from above).
The dome is made from plastic.I used to be snotty about using plastic but now I love it.
This wire will turn with the turntable,and will be a pressure indicator.

Woodhall Spa Donations Box

 I have been commissioned by Woodhall Spa to make a donations box.
The Spa had all kinds of weird 19th c treatments and devices so I decided to make a transformation scene.

Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa
Woodhall Spa

Kimberly Park Automata

 I am using a glass fiber post box which has been molded from an original cast iron one (original post boxes are very heavy and very expensive)
The post box has been strengthened inside with angel iron and all viewing windows will have 15mm laminated glass. The door will be secured with 16 security bolts.

Post box with viewing windows.
Sun Tunnel
My reference for the Packet ship
Packet ship in brass
Packet ship in brass
The children's work suspended under the wave. Their letters will be laminated and hang below.

Kimberky Park Automata

I have been commissioned to make an automata for our local park on the theme of the Falmouth Packet ships. These boats carried the mail ffor the UK to the USA, (and vise versa) before the days of the Trans Atlantic cable.

Workshopm
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
Children's workshop drawings
My re-drawing of the children's work
The wave is a transition between my automata and the childrens work
Detail

Hells angel

My hells angel has ridden out to the wide blue yonder in his little rubber suit.
I gave him on last polish with silicone shoe wax to make sure that he looked his best..I do get attached to my little creations but I am never too sad to see them go. A bit like teenagers really.
So bye bye little Devil, I am sure that we will meet again sometime in the future.

Steampunk Hells Angel

Work on the automata is progressing well.. I have put most of the parts together and added a Maxon motor to drive the wheel rollers. 

Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel
Steampunk Hells Angel

Hells Angel

 I have solved my naming problem by putting some wings on the Devil and calling the piece 'Hells Angel, 
Below are pictures of the Devil being clad in his rubber suit (I get the rubber from old inner tubes and car floor mat's )

Singular Horseman

I made some bones and a scull today. I like making bones,they are such a nice shape. 

Front and back legs
Foot detail. I am using a very nice piece of tulip wood, great to carve and sand.
Stylised scull, based on a wolf scull . Note the red screwdriver is on the wrong place.Disaster.
One of four cranks that will operated the hounds legs

The Singular Horseman of the Apocalypse.

 Origanily called 'Hell Hound Harley', a title that I never cared for, I first started designing this automata about two years ago, whilst going through my Steampunk phase.
I was recently comissioned to make one of my 'larger pieces' so it was a good excuse to re-visit it.
 
 

Original drawing
The base
Nylon bearing
The internal part's of the hound-horse. The wires poking out operate all the movements.
Tail mech
Wheel support. There is no steering, the road to hell is straight.
Wheel supports in place
The wheels are an aluminium - wood sandwich.

Craven Museum Donation Box

 The automata part oif the donations box is almost finished, Shakespear needs to have a 'Thank You,' sign to hold up and I still have the plinth to make.  
I have already moved on to another job and must move on to a further job on Monday, so I will be doing three thing at the same time. Who said that men cannot multi-task.
 

Craven Museum Donations box.

 Week four started today. I finished the last of the painting and started putting things together.
I still have the plinth to make, so I will be a little down on my budget on this one. It's my own fault for being so anal.

Local town
The Plaza
A shop called 'Wonders in Wood' I think I left the 's' of, dammed dyslexia.
Fancy converted apartments (I presume,)
The Ribble valley Viaduct.
The Ribble valley Viaduct.
I based my illustration of the viaduct on this painting.
Wonders in wood
Plaza
Local pub
As the two scenes are on random gearing, the train only appears in the gap every 20 runs
Shakespear on his Penny Farthing.
Dewhursts is a local firm of cotton manufactures.
What's known about Shakespeare's life can be written on a postage stamp. I have used my artistic licence and gone for a younger bard

Craven Museum Donations box.

 End of week two.I have finished the  base, instaled the motors and drive belts, and sorted out the drive for the revolving background.
For the bike and Hippo, I am using a 12v, 30 rpm DC motor running at 4 volts. Using a reduced voltage should extend the life of the motor.

Base top with bike drive rollers and drive belt for the Hippo
Base with drive for timing cam.
I have left the base open at the front so that the workings can be viewed.
The curved back supports the background and will be disguised as a hillock.
The Penny Farthing in place on it's drive rollers.
The Hippo in place. I am very happy with the complicated leg movment

Craven Museum donations box

 Work is going well on the donations box automata. Below are photos of my progress so far.

Penny Farthing minus tyres
Shakespeare minus arms and nose
Animated mouse.
Mousey Thompson carved mice (part of the museums collection)
Mouse in position
This box will show the different processes involved in making cotton thread.
Box in position
I would like to have the Hippo on a lead, but it is up to the museum.

Craven Museum Donations box.

 
I have been commission by Craven Museum to design and make a donations box. My first idea was to make a Shakespeare transformation scene (they have a Shekaspear first folio in their collection)
 

Transformation Scene
Transformation Scene
Transformation Scene
Transformation Scene
Transformation Scene
Transformation Scene
Shakespeare and Hippo
Shakespeare and Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo
Hippo

The Singing Cats

 I was sent this video by the Camera Obscura in Edinburgh.  www.camera-obscura.co.uk/
They commissioned me to make 'The Singing Cats'  over ten years ago, and it has proved to be a popular attraction.

Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats
Singing Cats

Cat-Copter

 A private commission.  

Paul Spooner automata for sale

Some friends of mine have an original Paul Spooner automata for sale. Here are the details.
 
 

Rejuvination

 I have just repaired an automata that I made in way back 1999. It only had a minor fault (a broken control wire)
It was commissioned by Leamington Spa  art Gallery and Museum as a reference to the Old Pump Rooms, which  now house the Gallery.

Rejuve a Matic
Before
And after
The one eyed cat that used to live in the Pump Rooms
A glass rod gives a good water effect
The electrics
Timing cams
Detail of the gauges

The Rowland Emett Society

 I am now a proud member of The Rowland Emett society.It's a brilliant web site with lots of information about the great man. I highly recomend a visit   http://www.rowlandemett.com/login/4566409473?noRedirect=Y#

The Amazing Journey

Today I made the mechanism  for the turtles and fitted them in place. I also made an acrobatic mouse (based on a 19th centuary toy}.
The mouse was not in the original drawing but I could not resist making something tiny.

The Amazing Journey

 Work continues apace on my new automata. I am having lot's of fun making this one, it's very nice to be employed in the celebration of  Loooove.

This bracket supports the bike. It swivels, so as to keep the wheels in contact with the rollers.
The rollers that move the wheels of the bike.
Close up of one roller with nylon bearing.
The bike positioned on the rollers.
I used a small length of fishing line to open and close the dogs mouth.

The Amazing Journey

I had a bit of space on the rear bike rack , just behind where Vivien sits. I suggested a wedding cake to John, But he prefered a rabbit in a hat. I think he had the best idea, even if it meant that I had to invent a new drive system.

The rabbit in it's hat. He will be holding a magic wand
The rabbit looking nervously at the snake
Rabbit drive. The vertical shaft is off centre of the wheel axis. To get enough contact on the tyre to rotate the shaft I used a half sphere
As I have never seen this drive system before I will call it a new invention. Please prove me wrong
As I have never seen this drive system before I will call it a new invention. Please prove me wrong
The snake drive.The central pulley stops the belt coming off if the handle is turned in the wrong direction.
This mechanism lifts the bird up and down.
Looks a bit like a suitcase.
Bird down
Bird up

The Amazing Journey

I have added the two figures to the bike (John And Vivien) 

The Amazing Journey

John Lau has asked me to make a different version of my automata 'Brians Brilliant Bike'. 
He would like me to feature  his wife, Vivien, surrounded by all of their pets.
He want's the automata to remember his wedding, such a nice thing to do.

My design drawing
Jig for both wheels
Wheel being soldered
Finished wheel .....
with tyre
Mainframe
Frame with wheels and backrack
Frame with wheels and backrack
Bike with snake basket

New Web Site selling card kits

 My partners, Evergreen International, have gone live with their new web site which promotes my card kits.
I have also designed a range of push together pre-cut wood automata kits for them which will soon go into production.

Evergreen International Poster
Evergreen International Poster
Evergreen International Poster
Evergreen International Poster
My card designs for Evergreen
My card designs for Evergreen
My card designs for Evergreen
My card designs for Evergreen
My card designs for Evergreen
My card designs for Evergreen
My card designs for Evergreen
My card designs for Evergreen

Exeter Museum Donations box

 The donations box for Exeter Museum (RAMM) is now painted, and running without problems.
I am very happy that is stayed faithfull to the original drawing, apart for the re-positioning of the pot and african figure. This was done to achieve more of a balance between the various elements.

Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box
Exeter Museum Donations Box