13 June 2019: Sanding, Spraying, and Leafing
Big Wheel Lift #1

This past week has been a week of disassembly, sanding, spraying, and experimentation with metal (copper) leafing.

To the right you seen an image of my drying rack.  What I’ve learned over the years is that being impatient with paint while it dries is wrong.  Paint must properly dry or there will be consequences later (always).  My default is 24 hours for primer between sanding and coats, and with enamel I let the final coat dry for four days before I attach it to the mechanism.

The Big Wheel Lift #1 Project Sheet is here.

I’ve been working a bit on A Sunday Drive.  I’ve identified (and then modified several times) the animation that I am looking for.  Right now this automata is not a priority.

8 June 2019, It’s Time To Paint
Big Wheel Lift #1

Big Wheel Lift #1 has now lifted 9,101 marbles, about 5,000 of them under power.  The mechanisms are performing very reliably.  It’s time for paint!

During the disassembly process I photograph every step and then using a Google product called ‘Slides’ I prepare a record of the disassembly and I print it out and sleeve the pages and keep them in a 3 ring binder.  These disassembly images are important not only for the process of reassembly, but they are important when creating the next version of the Big Wheel Lift.

The painting process will be more fully documented in the weeks to come but is basically this:

• Fill and sand everything, to 120.
• Spray paint the 1st coat of primer (charcoal automotive) then sand to 220.
• Spray the second coat of primer (grey automotive) then sand to 220
• Spray final two+ coats of enamel on a few pieces.
• Most all else is hand painted using acrylic paint.  I’ve not finalized the color pallette yet.
• Some components are copper leafed.

As I have worried about how to finish my bipeds I’ve decided that I want them clad in copper leaf.  I received my shipment of copper leaf and the size and have begun experimenting.  I like what is happening and think that copper leaf will be a good biped solution.  I am also planning to copper leaf a couple of the drive components.

The Big Wheel Lift #1 Project Sheet is here.

I’ve done nothing with A Sunday Drive this past week.  All in good time.

29 May 2019: First Life
Big Wheel Lift #1

Big Wheel Lift #1 began on my workbench early January 2019.  Yesterday, May 28th, it moved for the first time under electrical power…first life.  I’m pleased with this automata.  I like the way it moves.  It is reliable.  It is quiet.  It is fun to watch.  Lots going on.

Next steps are to run it through three to five thousand marble drops of testing, then disassembly for painting, then reassembly and final testing.  This is the #1 so it will not go to market.  All number ones belong to my wife.  If I create additional Big Wheel Lifts they will all be based on this #1, but none will be identical to it.  Each will be better than the last.

Enjoy this Big Wheel Lift #1 First Life video.  Captured with my Pixel 2XL.  Edited with KDenLive.  The Big Wheel Lift #1 Project Sheet is here.

20 May 2019: New Drive Frame
Big Wheel Lift #1

As I have been adding components into the Big Wheel Lift drive frame I’ve run into a clearance problem between the lever cam followers and the pedestal drive belt.  To fix this problem I’ve been tweaking and adjusting things…but that has not been enough.  So, I’m biting the bullet and relocating the Big Wheel Idler Cluster, which means that I’ve got to re-create the drive frames.  This is an image of the new drive frame in the scroll saw, almost completed.  Sometimes doing it the ‘long way’ is the right way…and I want my creations to be right.  I want to be at peace with each one…knowing that I’ve done my best.  The Big Wheel Lift Project Sheet is here.

A Sunday Drive remains on my workbench as priority 2.  I’ve got all the little body parts dismembered and am letting them tell me how they want to move.

I live near San Diego, California.  The climate is defined as Mediterranean.  The usual cycle is rainy winters and drought summers, with an average rainfall here of about 14″.  We are at 21″ so far for this season…with more rain on the way…very unusual.  The native vegetation is loving all of this rain.  Everything seems very healthy and green.  Sooner or later the rains will stop…and then we will start worrying about fire.  Someday my wife and I will live somewhere that has more water and less fire.  Someday.

10 May 2019, Pedals and Magazines
Big Wheel Lift #1

It’s been a good week.  I’ve got a few electrical parts in transit.  They will be here early next week.  Meanwhile I’m creating the pulleys and the hand crank and cams.  Most else is completed  I expect Big Wheel Lift #1 to be under power late next week.  The Big Wheel Lift #1 project sheet is here.

I was pleased to receive the April-May issue of Automata Magazine.  I’m glad that this magazine is available and hope that it will continue to be published for decades to come.  There is a lot of good information in this little gem  Here is a link to Automata Magazine.

I’ve identified the A Sunday Drive passengers. I’ve got the body parts laying around on my bench…teaching me how they want to move. The A Sunday Drive project sheet is here.

Monday thru Friday I begin my day doing an hour of Tai Chi.  I’ve been doing Tai Chi for about 3 years now and appreciate the positive impact that it’s made on my body.  It used to be that I had back pain all the time.  Now I rarely have back pain.  I blame Tai Chi for that.  Another part of Tai Chi that I appreciate is the ‘meditation time’.  Some of my Tai Chi sets are done in my studio.  I have automata in front of me as I exercise.  I’m able to contemplate…to consider…to ‘what if’.  

2 May 2019: The Pedal Pedestal
Big Wheel Lift #1

This past week has been interesting.  I’ve completed the On-Off switch assembly.  This micro switch based assembly is linked to a trip lever on the Big Wheel.  The Big Wheel Lift is turned off after one revolution of the Big Wheel (12 marbles).

And I’ve got the Pedal Pedestal almost completed…should be done tomorrow.  The frame is 1/16″ Baltic Birch plywood.  The sprocket is 1/8″ Baltic Birch, handcrafted and run-in in the test stand.

This morning at 0800 I went online and ordered some drive belt poly tubing from McMaster.  I had the tubing in-hand at 1500.  Can’t beat that service.  I love dealing with McMaster.

The Big Wheel Lift #1 Project Sheet is here.

I’ve done nothing more with A Sunday Drive…but it’s still cooking in my mind and in front of me on the bench.

Regarding motors in my automata:  I’ve just come to the realization of why power cords with the “bricks” at the plug end are powering everything.  I realize now that I should be putting 12 volt motors into my automata, and then powering the automata with the correct power cord…120 volt or 240 volt.  I’ll not change the motor on Big Wheel Lift #1 (it’s 120 vac and will stay in this country).  Future automata will all be equipped with 12 volt motors.  I cannot believe it took me this many years to understand this little piece of international commerce.

25 April 2019, Motorizing and Suppliers
Big Wheel Lift #1

Big Wheel Lift #1: I’ve been busy with this little guy…am in the process of installing the motor and the on/off mechanism.  The on/off mechanism will allow ‘push to start’ and then a full revolution (12 marbles) later the motor will be turned off.  I expect to have this creation under power (and hand crank) next week.

The Big Wheel Lift #1 project sheet can be found here.

Suppliers: As I create automata I need certain things (bearings, belts, chain, plywood, fasteners, magnets, shafts, information, motors, brass plates, etc).  Over time I’ve developed online relationships with suppliers that I like to deal with.    I’ve spent a portion of the first part of April creating a web page of Favored Suppliers.  I hope this page helps one or more of you on your own journey to create automata.

19 April 2019, The Big Wheel has It’s Legs
Big Wheel Lift #1

It’s been a busy two weeks.  One of things that I’ve been doing is building the biped test stand.  The test stand is motorized.  I had a problem with an eBay motor order so had to order again.  I ordered from both McMaster and from ChancsMotor (eBay).  Both motors have arrived.  I’ve powered the test stand with the Dynatech motor from McMaster.  The ChansMotor just arrived this afternoon and I must admit that I like it a lot.

So the test stand is completed and operates under power.  This enabled me to move forward with the table for Big Wheel Lift #1.  I now know what the biped power module geometry is.  In the image to the right you can see the table, legs, and the mechanical frame.  I’m in the process of building the levers and cams and sprockets and etc.  I suspect that Big Wheel Lift #1 will be operating under power within the next two weeks.

A test period will follow, with the Big Wheel operating for about 3,000 cycles as it is fine tuned.  Then disassembly and paint.  Then reassembly and test.

4 April 2019, The power unit is the focus
Big Wheel Lift #1

These weeks I’ve got two projects on my workbench, A Sunday Drive and Big Wheel Lift #1.  Also, in the back of my mind, I want to write a quick article about some of my online suppliers.

Big Wheel Lift #1 has been the active working focus.  At the present time I am focused on creating the assembly that the biped will operate which in turn will power the big wheel lift.  The build is coming along nicely.  In the image to the right you see the two biped elbows.  I’m using a beautiful acoustically tanned leather…remnants from the bellows of the organ that I am building.  I’m waiting for the motor to arrive (it’s late).  The test module that I am building will put the biped and the mechanics through thousands of test cycles…so that I can know that the build will be solid and reliable.  The Big Wheel Lift #1 Project Sheet can be seen here.

A Sunday Drive has been the active ‘thinking’ focus.  At the top of my thinking process is how to have scenery scroll by as the car rolls down the road.  I think I’ve got a solution…will know more next week.  The A Sunday Drive Project Sheet can be seen here.

23 March 2019, Magnetic Shock Absorbers
Big Wheel Lift #1

I’ve had a fascination with magnetism for many decades.  In the late 60’s I created mobiles that had magnets in them.  The mobiles never stopped moving…they were very interesting.

On Big Wheel Lift #1 I was faced with the problem of absorbing the shock of moving marbles.  Two drops, and the end of the run.

I experimented for a while and then created three magnetic shock absorbers.  They function based on the principle of ‘same poles repel’.  In the image to the right, in the upper part of the lower right quadrant, you see a silver disc.  This is the top of the bottom magnet.  It is stationary.  Above it is a swinging ramp that also has a magnet in it.  The two same magnetic poles face each other…they repel each other.  The swinging ramp is held aloft by the magnetic repulsion.  When the marble drops down onto the swinging ramp it’s drop is cushioned by the magnetic repulsion…so it is an ‘easier’ drop.

I obtain my magnets from K&J Magnetics.  They are one of my treasured suppliers.  Very reasonable prices.  Always fast shipping…and I’ve never had anything back ordered.

Magnets are fun to work with.  I suspect most of my automata will have magnets working somewhere.  I’ve prepared a video for you that shows these little shock absorbers in action…including some views in slow motion.  Enjoy.