Make Your Own Amazing Mechanical Toys

This practical book is a guide to making five kinetic, mechanical marvels. It combines basic mechanical principles with shaping and fitting components crafted from timbers and manufactured boards. An introduction to basic motion and mechanisms such as cams, cranks, levers and linkages to generate motion and movement in a wheeled toy is given. Useful construction and workshop techniques such as production aids for wheel-making are covered. Step-by-step instructions explain each project so that a simple push or pull action will magically bring the design to life. An essential guide to the workshop, including useful power tools for the toymaker and craftsperson. Includes: qualities, characteristics and uses of timbers and manufactured boards: painting and finishing techniques, and ideas to bring your designs to life. Superbly illustrated with 141 colour photographs.