Rodney Frost’s collection of playful mechanical contraptions will captivate anyone who operates them—and they’ll entice the creative woodworker too, because these whirligigs are as much fun to make as to maneuver. The secret to these movable marvels: propellers and other action-filled parts made from wood or metal. Full-size schematics and drawings, plus detailed written instructions, will guide woodwokers smoothly through building, carving, and assembling such enchanting projects as Grandad’s Night Out, a wild and wonderful gadget with a handsomely dressed figure that dances on a box; the Politically Incorrect Weather House (it contains a hygrometer to measure humidity); and Mr. Muscles & Little Ms. Threemore, two exercise buffs who work out!

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.0 based on 8 reviews)

scary

This author is somewhat neurotic. These projects rather qualify as kinetic art for a sculptor who might just as easily be a recluse hiding in the desert making cats disappear. The projects seem just a little disturbing the finish work is ... rustic. Much attention is given to making a frenetic movement in an old-worldesque style. One whirlygig has a allied machine gunner noisily blasting away at german keiser helmeted targets. It may work for some, but none of the projects would make me proud I made them, or proud to show them. Some would even make me worried that the neighbors thought that I aught to be institutionalized. There are a couple of schematics showing how he got arms to move from rotating shafts. But there are better sources for that.

This book just feels creepy.

August 31, 2008

Making Mad Toys And Mechanical In Wood

This is an excelent book for advanced toymakers.
I have made several of the mechanisms.

For old timers be aware trhis is just a reprint of his pevious book
"Whacky Toys,.Whirligigs & Whatchamacallits."with a new cover.
January 27, 2008

Mad Toys & Mechanical Marvels

Although this book has lots of intersting ideas it is difficult to follow the plans to complese these projects. Other than that is is a good resource.
December 01, 2007

Repeat

Great book but as noted below, exactly the same as the other book still being sold here. 5 stars if you don't have the other book, one star if you do.
October 06, 2007

Mad toys and mechanical marvels.

First of all if you already have Rodney Frost's book, "Whirligigs and Whatchamacallets" don't bother buying this book. This is just the revision title. I ordered it, because I lost my last copy. No matter what title it's called, this is a great beginner-friendly automata project book. Each project is well explained and you get traceable template patterns for each project. I've made 3 of them and it was fun. If you're looking for an artistic way to impress your friends or wanting to enter the world of Automata and don't want technical terms no avergae joe can understand, this is the book for you.
September 22, 2007

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood
by Rodney Frost

Automata and Mechanical Toys
by Rodney Peppe

507 Mechanical Movements: Mechanisms and Devices (Dover Science Books)
by Henry T. Brown

Making Mechanical Toys
by Rodney Peppe

Traditional Wooden Toys: Their History and How to Make Them
by Cyril Hobbins