Creative Kinetics: Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood

by Rodney Frost, Leanne Fuchs (Photographer)

Artist, inventor, and longtime author Rodney Frost is known for wacky, whimsical woodworking books that encourage readers to experiment. With his newest, most creative volume yet, he provides an introduction to the wild and whimsical world of kinetic art?art that moves. Using plenty of informative sidebars and dynamic illustrations, Frost teaches the basic techniques in his own inimitable style, beginning with easy, fun projects like weather vanes and mobiles powered by air currents alone. Then it’s on to simple toys you manipulate with strings, and art mechanized by levers, cranks, cams, and cogs. Far from a routine woodworking book, Creative Kinetics will inspire even the least craft-minded reader to pick up some scissors and turn a tuna can into a propeller or cardboard into a jumping-jack.

Genres: Art, Crafts, Woodwork

140 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2007

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a good book for people who want to learn about mechanical movements and how to practically apply said principles. It's written in a way that's easy for the average person to understand. I don't recommend this book for children, though. I don't think they have the capacity to understand or apply the lessons in this book. I'd say 14 years and up would be appropriate. That being said, if you want to learn about gears, isn't the book for you.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction on making kinetic art or toys. The authors takes a sensible approach making the concepts accessible and the materials requirements simple. The introductory concepts and exercises involve crafts we did in preschool. As the mechanisms explained become more complex, so do the examples. This book is not for anyone who is experienced or the absolute beginner who has no confidence. Not everything is laid out but what is explained is not for the advanced kinetic artist though it might be a handy inspirational reference

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's more a book about learning magic then kinetic sculptures. However, the 9 year old me learned a great deal about basic physics, and helped the 32 year old me to remember the basic rules of DYI. Be creative.
Very nice reading.

[Ryan McArthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, inspiring too! aimed a bit younger than me, so if you have kids and want them off the couch, this is highly recommended.
It gave me lots of good ideas for mechanisms and some good ideas about creativity in general.

[Joel]

Inspirational! Basic mechanics applied to making Kitsch. Would be a great outside reading for Jr. High shop class.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

From very basic wind vanes to intermediate projects with pulleys and cams. Useful as a project book for arts and crafts classes.