https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools Let's crowdsource a list of things that we find while working on automata projects. en-us 2021-09-23 12:58:47 UTC 2025-11-09 05:28:56 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f916.png wonderfulideaco https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1763147499 2021-09-23 14:18:03 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1763147499 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1763644594  Keith describes and illustrates his process for turning an idea into an automata]]> 2021-09-23 17:18:34 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1763644594 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1763649450 2021-09-23 17:20:40 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1763649450 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1770839716 2021-09-27 12:00:29 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1770839716 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1773176477 2021-09-28 03:16:05 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1773176477 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1774741914 2021-09-28 14:05:33 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1774741914 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1778835101 The apps I frequently use:
- Snipping Tool
- "Sketchup" Design Tool
- "BigPrint" - very useful tool to make images bigger/smaller (very accurate).
- Gear Generator.]]> 2021-09-29 17:17:46 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1778835101 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1783488335 2021-10-01 06:38:15 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1783488335 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1787052415 I use these for card construction and joints when I’m making card characters. These in the picture are 4.5 mm pins but I also use 6 mm too. Take care you don’t buy the big ones by accident. ]]> 2021-10-03 10:48:51 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1787052415 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1787059180 These make very effective vertical rod holders. They’re also quite beautiful. ]]> 2021-10-03 10:55:40 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1787059180 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1800583787 Strong and flexible covered wire that I used to hold my motor up in the air while testing different things with it. Smaller than a vise!]]> 2021-10-07 17:43:41 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1800583787 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1817868138 2021-10-14 18:10:38 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1817868138 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1879615916 2021-11-09 22:29:01 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/1879615916 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2027987727 www.craftparts.com is a great resource for precut wooden shapes.  They sell supplies for crafting toy cars and trains,  wood beads, blocks, cutouts and much more. I used their wood parts and just drilled, assembled and glue the parts together. ]]> 2022-02-03 17:22:28 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2027987727 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2030292769 I found these on Amazon. $6.99. Half of them are 1 1/4" (32mm) diameter and half are 3/4" (19mm). All are 3/16" (5mm) thick. They could be modified for all kinds of uses.]]> 2022-02-05 00:29:07 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2030292769 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2049924942 And here's a European distributor: https://botland.store/geared-dc-angle-motors/2490-dc-motor-dagu-dg01d-l-with-48-1-gear-45v-double-sided-shaft-2pcs-6952581600930.html ]]> 2022-02-16 02:13:08 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2049924942 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2049927071 2022-02-16 02:14:56 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2049927071 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2051748580 I have acquired a lot of tools and materials over more than 30 years, many of them from thrift stores - even wood, wire, craft paper, all kinds of metal findings and much more. If you can find a shop that sells more than clothes and visit regularly it can be a wonderful treasure hunt. - sherry]]> 2022-02-16 19:47:47 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2051748580 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2051873585 This old child’s sewing machine is helping me understand how simple elements can work together. - sherry]]> 2022-02-16 21:04:02 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2051873585 https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2062821597 Here's a selection of books that have been a great resource for ideas and mechanical movement. All easily available mail order. Sorry if the vids a bit long but there's such a lot to share!
Last session today with Ryan, shame but hey, wishing you all happy mechanical automating! Harish]]> 2022-02-23 15:30:49 UTC https://padlet.com/wonderfulideaco/tools/wish/2062821597