The Designing Automata Kit

Perhaps the ideal starter kit, The Designing Automata Kit requires no glue, cutting, or tools. This kit is all you need to get started.

The kit comes with a pre-drilled frame, dowels, cames and a variety of shaped wooden pieces. The pieces are friction-fit toghether with no glue or fasteners.

The beauty of this system is that many different designs can be made by combining the pieces in different combinations. The kit can be used over and over again. You are only limited by your imagination.

You won't be able to make very sophisticated automata with the kit, but simple automata are fun! I can think of no better way than to learn the fundamentals of making simple automata, which form the foundation for building more complex automata of your own.

The kit is produced in Thailand using chemical-free rubber wood from sustainable sources.

Here is where you can get the Designing Automata Kit.

Animated Wooden Models Kits

Make your own wooden automata with these easy-to-assemble kits. These kits are a great introduction to automata-making. Each kit comes with wooden components shaped and drilled. Use the easy-to-follow instructions to peg and glue the pieces together!

T-Rex Automaton Kit Dragon Automaton Kit Couple Automaton Kit Musician Automaton Kit Crocodile Automaton Kit Rower Automaton Kit Golfer Automaton Kit Ocean Motion Automaton Kit Penguin Automaton Kit Drummer Automaton Kit Guitarist Automaton Kit Automaton Motor/Paint Kit Pianist Automaton Kit Flying Pig Kit Running Horse Kit

Paper Animation Kits

Paper automata kits are an inexpensive an easy way to learn about automata and basic mechanisms. These kits require a hobby knife, scissors, some white glue, and a bit of time.

Here are some books that each provide several complete paper automaton projects:
• Paper Automata: Four Working Models to Cut Out & Glue Together
• Automata Too: Four Working Models to Cut Out and Glue Together
• Walking Automata: A Collection of Self-Moving Models to Cut Out and Make
• Paper Engineering and Pop-ups For Dummies
• Karakuri: How to Make Mechanical Paper Models That Move

Catapult kits