I have an idea in my head for a new piece and am looking for a little advice. I'm thinking about a wall hanging, with moving gears like the inside of a watch. I'm wondering if any of you have made anything, or seen something like this. I don't know if each gear should have it's own motor, or have a "serpentine belt" running all of them, or actually having the gears mesh and turning each other.
I'm concerned with:
1. noise.
2.tiny metal shavings on floor.
3.pinched fingers.
4.bearings...
Just looking for some thoughts...
[Beer]Well its been a number of years but I have always liked this type of wall hanging with the flying scrap iron whrilling around
Depending on the pitch of the gears fitting together noise can be a factor just tell them that you aren't charging them for the acoustic effects, just the visual. I have been collecting gears, belts. motors, small chain and sprockets for years mainly from printers and copy machines.If you are into bikes or no a bike shop pedal type the chain and sprockets can be used for large ones.
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attachment=3443]
This the under side of a side show attraction that I use to do the maintenance on at a local museum. It was built in the 1900 and is a model city on the top with a whole lot of stuff moving and such
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attachment=3444]
is a shot of one end its 40 feet long.
Most people that see the bottom think it more to look at then the top. for the bearings or post for the gears you can use a hard wood block that is oiled, as they did on the city scape. or any derlin, or nylon plastic that has lubing tendency. You also can use brass or bronze bearing stock if you have away to cut it ect.
I prefer the shadow box style frame. Like a 1"x3" that way you can have some back depth to hold the mech's you need but don't want to have on the front. Also the lights or other electronics. Depending on your wood working equipment skills you can cut/route the groove around the frame to hold base plate of your working surface and background. The new LEDs and some of the electronic lighting stuff is neat.
Model railroad hobby shops,magazines will give you ideas and stuff to use.
Source for stuff
Eletronic and odd things
Plastics and others
Parts
small parts place
mirco fasteners and mini lag screws
hobbist store on line good selection
Just what it says
Don't forget you also can use solenoids and levers, cams springs for movement.
Here is a site you will like.
To keep fingers out you can make up small sized danger signs and pinch points stuff on you computer with most printshop programs and print them out on bumper sticker material from the big box office supply stores. they also have a canvas material that makes neat looking signage. And the use of hardware screen or cloth 3/8" square hole or so over the area gives a nice design element to it.
This list should keep you busy or drive ya nuts
.gif "Big Grin")
Scratch,
For my birthday last year my wife gave me a dismantled clock. Strange present I hear you say but she knows my passion for fixing things and this was a real challenge
.gif "Cry")
.
Anyway, I only say this by way of information; the internal workings of a clock are fascinating and I think, hold loads of potential for sculptural ideas. The gearing mechanisms and coiled springs may be suitable for what you're contemplating. E Bay is a great source for clock parts.
Hey Scratch,
I think a combination of belts and meshed gears would be cool.
I'm thinking about not actually having the gears touch, and having belts behind the gears to make them move. That way it will be silent, I won't have to worry about any flaking of the finish or anything, no metal to metal contact, and if someone does put their fingers in there, it should just cause the belt to slip.
Scratch,
Consider using a shadow box with a midrange mounting plate. If you use timing belts (flat cogged belt running in cogged pullys ), the gears can move in time, but never touch each other. Timing belts are available in all sizes and lengths, and available at bearing stores. The pulleys can be held to the mounting plate with shoulder bolts. About any material will work at low speeds and with lubrication. It should run quite with no maintenance. As for pinch points, use a non-glare glass over it or use a low horse power gear motor with maybe an O-ring belt that can slip if jammed.
Don