It's the simple things that please me. :)

[martinka]

Pattern at http://www.otbpatterns.com/

 

[NazNomad]

Try the link http://www.otbpatterns.com/PDF/WP-646-Balance-Stick.pdf

 

[beganasatree]

Ciever

 

[Alexam]

That's clever, very similar to the spoon and fork clipped together with the prongs being forced apart by the spoon. Then take a matchstick and put one end just between the lowest prong and rest the other end on a glass edge or just your finger. That works in the same way.

 

[martinka]

That's clever, very similar to the spoon and fork clipped together with the prongs being forced apart by the spoon. Then take a matchstick and put one end just between the lowest prong and rest the other end on a glass edge or just your finger. That works in the same way.

That's almost how I remember it from school, Malcolm, except I am sure we used two forks.

 

[Claymore]

Not Four Candles then Martin 9-) lol

 

[Emanuel]

Clever indeed. it seems to be the same principle as the balanced eagle. How many of you had one?

 

[martinka]

Clever indeed. it seems to be the same principle as the balanced eagle. How many of you had one?

I've only seen pictures of them. I wonder if it's possible to make one from wood or if it would be too light?

Not Four Candles then Martin 9-) lol

We were once in Barnitts in York and I asked for a few things, and tagged fork handles on the end. The chap serving me gave me a disgusted look as if to say, "Everyone thinks they are a bl()()dy comedian!"

 

[NazNomad]

Martin, if you 'google images' - wooden balance dragonfly - there are several examples.

http://www.seanhellman.com/woodwork/sma ... nflies.php being one maker.

Can't find an actual plan though ... yet.

 

[Emanuel]

Clever indeed. it seems to be the same principle as the balanced eagle. How many of you had one?

I've only seen pictures of them. I wonder if it's possible to make one from wood or if it would be too light?

Hi Martin. it would be possible, but you would need to find a way so the weight of the bird goes to the beak. Maybe if you combine 2 or 3 types of wood together: a light wood for the body, a heavier one for the head and an even heavier one for the beak?
Also, the proportions of the bird would need to be perfect.
This would be an extremely frustrating project, but let us know if you start and you manage to do it.

 

[Alexam]

That's clever, very similar to the spoon and fork clipped together with the prongs being forced apart by the spoon. Then take a matchstick and put one end just between the lowest prong and rest the other end on a glass edge or just your finger. That works in the same way.

That's almost how I remember it from school, Malcolm, except I am sure we used two forks.

Yes, that would also work, balanced by the weight distribution, but always looks good Martin.

 

[martinka]

Cheers all, I'll have a go at making something that approximates the dragonflies. That's when it's warm enough for the garage. At the moment, condensation is so bad, it's like a shower around the bench area.

I don't think it would be too difficult to make one. (Famous last words!) I think more weight would make it more stable, but it seems to be mostly a case of getting the centre of gravity in the right place, as well as having the weight balanced evenly of course.

 

[NazNomad]

Here's a nice variation of the balancing 'bird' ... http://www.t-e-m-p-o.com/place-to-be.html

 

[martinka]

Thanks for that link, Naz. I've got a load of thin, but no good for scrolling ply, that I can use up trying to make one of those.

 

[NazNomad]

How much wood have you got? http://www.limoncellogallery.co.uk/site ... mgpic2.jpg

 

[martinka]

How much wood have you got? http://www.limoncellogallery.co.uk/site ... mgpic2.jpg

Oh, I like those. Amount of wood might not be a problem, but finding somewhere to put them would be.

Getting this to balance was a little tricky, I had to cut 10mm off one of the long arms to get it to balance. Then the outer veneer came adrift, so I glued it back on and the weight of the glue threw it out of balance again. I haven't got a decent piece of wood big enough to make the big arms, so a better version will have to wait.

 

[NazNomad]

Blimey, you don't hang about. Looks good.

 

[martinka]

I made a little stand for it, and made a little video to prove it's not glued on. Yes, it is just about to fall off at the end. http://vid288.photobucket.com/albums/ll ... muk3bl.mp4

 

[Alexam]

Well done. Nice project which works well. =D> =D> =D>