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Thanks! I have fun making these even though it is a long process. I've had a few requests for plans for Morning Walk but as they are one of a kind builds I don't make plans that would be useful to anyone else. I'm currently putting together a video of how Morning Walk came together and will post it here when it's ready. Thanks, Chris

Thanks RJ, That's very kind of you. Chris

Hi Tim. Thank you for your kind words. I bought the brass rivets from Lee Valley, a Canadian woodworking store: www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/hardware/fasteners/40386-brass-rivets Thanks, Chris

Hi Cathie. Sorry, as my automata are all one-off projects I don't have a set of plans that I could provide. They are made through a combination of crude sketches and a lot of playing around in the shop until I get it right. Thanks, Chris

Hi Francisco, thank you for your interest. Unfortunately as all of my automata are original one-off projects I don't have detailed plans or diagrams. I start with some simple drawings and do much of the figuring out using prototypes to decide on the final design. I would refer you to Automata Magazine at automatamagazine.com. I think you can download the first year's issues for free. Thanks, Chris

Thanks tartgreenapple!

@@automata-maker Love your work friend! 😍

Thank you Gilles. That's very kind of you. I enjoy both the process of making them and the result.

Greetings! Yes, I do all the design and carving here at my home workshop. They are long projects but very rewarding.

I'm afraid they are destined to carry on this battle for a long, long time with no clear victor.

Thanks Crowbin.

Thanks Trevor!

Thanks Curt. There are some good 'building automata' videos online and I would recommend Automata Magazine at automatamagazine.com/

Thanks Jefkab. That's very kind of you.

Thanks Stephanie! I like kayaking too, and luckily live close to the water. We were just out for a paddle yesterday.

@@automata-maker Me, too! :-)

Thanks East Man, I had fun making this one.

Thanks! It was certainly a long and interesting process. I started with a rough prototype and then carved the figures. The mechanism came together after that, through a process of trial and error.

Thanks! I'm having fun making automata.

Thank you very much! Greetings from Owen Sound, Ontario.

Thanks, its become a permanent feature of the Swordsman.

Thanks! Cross-country skiing is one of my hobbies so I knew how I wanted to action to look.

@@automata-maker I mentioned to my wife that it was very real looking and she agreed with me (made a change). Knock out design...

Hi Mega Wolf Art, thank you for your interest. I don't think I could go into all the details here, but I would highly recommend Automatamagazine.com as a source of information on making automata. I will have an article appearing in Automata Magazine in July that explains how I designed and made the grooved-drum mechanism that moves the arms on The Swordsman. Thanks, Chris

Thank you for your kind words. I am having fun making automata and enjoying the challenge that each new piece presents.

Hi. Each ski is attached to the adjacent ski pole by the brass chain. Each brass chain follows a race track pattern, with a wheel at either end. As the drive arm on each cam pushes the rod connected to the ski pole back and forth, the chain attached to the same rod pulls the ski (and leg) in the opposite direction. There is a small spring attached to the chain under the ski that removes the slack in the chain. There is also a thin piece of plywood placed between the two wheels on each chain. This is to prevent the screws holding the wheels in place from being bent towards each other over time. Good luck on your project. Chris