There's something intriguing about a machine with well-crafted wooden parts . . . cogs and cams that fit together “just so” to perform a task. There's also precise challenge in building such a wooden wonder – and a special satisfaction in watching the excitement of those who turn the handle to see what happens.

Making Wooden Mechanical Models contains plans for fifteen good-looking and incredibly clever machines with visible wheels, cranks, pistons and other moving parts made of wood. Projects include the:Oil pumping rigFlywheel propeller machineRack & pinion machineHarmonic oscillation punch machineReciprocating engineCam & fork machineCombustion enginePendulum escapement machineThe plans call for a challenging variety of techniques and procedures – laminating, cutting cyma curves, tenon wedging, precision drilling, pegging, whittling and more.

By completing these projects, woodworkers will gain the know-how to build wooden models of their own design…machines that beg to be set into action, turning the simplest movements into marvelous feats.

Alan Bridgewater

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