- Joined
- Dec 6, 2015
- Messages
- 809
I know this isn't a clock, and this isn't the right forum for this one, but I need a little advice, and the horology experts would be the most likely to offer some suggestions, hence I am intentionally posting this over here.
A few years ago, my father pulled me aside one day and wanted me to take a look at a box he had. When he opened it up, there were coffee cans FULL of small gears that he played with as a kid (when a computer occupied a warehouse). Next thing I know, I'm taking those gears home with me. These are small gears ranging from 20-teeth to 192-teeth, all around a 48.1 diametral pitch (e.g. the 192-tooth gears are about 4" in diameter). Fast forwarding to today, someone in the family thought it was a good idea to put them all into a glass table for dear ol' dad. But, I'm an idiot and thought I should do it in a way that allowed them to all turn together. So, I started laying them out. I got the basic design done (over at http://www.silverhawk.net/2016/12/new-project-from-old-small-gears.html ), and then realized I have some gaps and holes in which I'd like to put something that exudes movement and mechanics, but I only have small areas in which to work (about 3"x 2" x anywhere from 1" to 6" long). The areas will be surrounded by glass to things can be seen from top and bottom, and from a side. Here's where I'd love some suggestions and advice.
Do any of you know of small "open" transmissions, mechanical curiosities, or mechanisms that would fit and offer a visual appeal? I'd prefer anything in the metal form, but I'm willing to venture outside of that if it would add to it.
A few years ago, my father pulled me aside one day and wanted me to take a look at a box he had. When he opened it up, there were coffee cans FULL of small gears that he played with as a kid (when a computer occupied a warehouse). Next thing I know, I'm taking those gears home with me. These are small gears ranging from 20-teeth to 192-teeth, all around a 48.1 diametral pitch (e.g. the 192-tooth gears are about 4" in diameter). Fast forwarding to today, someone in the family thought it was a good idea to put them all into a glass table for dear ol' dad. But, I'm an idiot and thought I should do it in a way that allowed them to all turn together. So, I started laying them out. I got the basic design done (over at http://www.silverhawk.net/2016/12/new-project-from-old-small-gears.html ), and then realized I have some gaps and holes in which I'd like to put something that exudes movement and mechanics, but I only have small areas in which to work (about 3"x 2" x anywhere from 1" to 6" long). The areas will be surrounded by glass to things can be seen from top and bottom, and from a side. Here's where I'd love some suggestions and advice.
Do any of you know of small "open" transmissions, mechanical curiosities, or mechanisms that would fit and offer a visual appeal? I'd prefer anything in the metal form, but I'm willing to venture outside of that if it would add to it.