In-person course
in Bristol

(7)

Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Colin the Caterpillar

Rabbit Doorbell

The Friendly Alien

The Surprised Sow

Workshop 1

Workshop 2

Workshop 3

The Fishing Cat

The Dancing Sheep

Friends not Food

The Pirate Cat

The Surprised Hen

The Aerobatic Pilot

The Explorer Dog

The Circus

Description

Welcome to the magical world of automata, the perfect synthesis between craftsmanship, engineering and artistic expression. At the beginning of this one-day, face-to-face course you will learn some basic theories about the most common mechanisms used in mechanical toys and their different building techniques. Based on a design provided by the tutor, each student (maximum 2 participants per course) will then start building a one-shaft toy, drawing and cutting cams, cranks and mechanisms, using different type of wood and a vast range of tools available in my workshop (band saw, belt and circular sanders, pillar drill and other power and hand tools, see attached pictures). Once assembled, you can paint your toy with any of the many acrylic paints available. This course is designed to be fully hands-on, and students will learn by building every single piece of the toy under the constant guidance of the tutor, who will provide additional information and explanations at each step of the process. At the end of the day you will understand the basic movements of a mechanical toy and how to design and build eccentric cams, snail cams, lobe cams and cranks. Participants can expect to finish the day with a lovely, fully functioning one-shaft mechanical toy. Suitable for absolute beginners as well as those who may already have some experience. Please note that due to the potentially dangerous use of power tools, this course is unsuitable for those aged under 14. Children aged 14 and over may attend if accompanied by a participating adult. My name is Stef, and I’ll be your tutor. I am Italian and because of my previous job I lived in many different Countries. I moved to the UK in 2017. I started designing and building automata in 2013, when I was living in Bangkok. Since then I designed, built and sold dozens of automata. Please note that the course is held in my workshop, which is located at “Freestone Studios”, a warehouse in the St Philips area of Bristol home to an eclectic mix of artists, fashion designers, makers and creatives. My workshop is located on the 1st floor (accessible only by stairs, no lift available). On the ground floor there is the restroom and a common kitchen area with a microwave and a fridge. Please get in touch for additional information.

What's included in the price?

All material (plywood, wood, dowel rods, acrylic paints, paint brushes) and use of all hand and electric tools. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): safety glasses, dust mask and ear covers. If you drive and provide in advance the registration number of your car, I can arrange visitor free parking at walking distance from the workshop. Please bring your own lunch as there are no shops at walking distance from the workshop.

Duration

7 hours (flexible times to suit)

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Penlan Crafts

with Craft Courses since 2021

Message the tutor

Venue

Freestone Studios, Freestone Road, Bristol, Bristol, BS2 0QN

Suitable for

Adults
Seniors
Teenagers
Pet lovers
Suitable for beginners
Christmas
Fairs, festivals & exhibitions
Easter
Father's Day
Mother's Day
Parking provided
Romantic

What does this mean?

Message the tutor

Reviews

All maker's reviews

15 Aug 22'

Philipp reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

"Building a wooden automata (I chose Colin the caterpillar) was one of the best and most fun things I can imagine! I had such a fantastic day with Stef and it was incredibly rewarding to be able to create the toy from scratch with no prior experience. From cutting, drilling and sanding the wood, glueing the pieces together and painting the toy - we did everything. Stef explained the mechanics behind the automata and demonstrated all the tools. He was incredibly patient and was always there to help, show a technique again or suggest a different technique, but it always felt like I was building the toy myself. It was a truly enjoyable day. Stef is really easy to get along with and I enjoyed our conversations very much. I cannot recommend this course any higher. Thank you so much again!"

Penlan Crafts responded:

" Dear Philipp, thank you very much for your fantastic review. It was a pleasure meeting you (and working hard!) and I'm glad you had a lovely experience. All the best, Stef"

9 Jan 22'

Christa Kontozoglou reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

"We had a wonderful time in this automata toy-making course. We enjoyed using the woodworking power tools to create the pieces of the mechanical toy and Stef was a brilliant teacher guiding us all the way through. He created a relaxed atmosphere with his friendly manner and his attention to detail meant that in the end, we came away with a very professional looking toy even though some of the tools we had never used before. It was definitely one of our favourite craft courses!"

Penlan Crafts responded:

" Dear Christa, thank you for your kind review. It was a pleasure to meet you and Ed and I’m sure your lovely daughter will love the beautiful mechanical toy you built for her! Warm regards, Stef"

16 Nov 21'

Alice K reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

"This was the most enjoyable day I have had in ages! Stefano was such a wonderful tutor - he was patient, informative and very encouraging. I made the fishing cat and each stage was so much fun - from cutting and sanding the mechanical elements to carving and painting the decorative cat and waves etc. The time simply flew by and I didn’t look at my phone once! It was very therapeutic! And I got to take home a lovely handmade toy to enjoy (or maybe, maybe, give to a friend with children, 😉). I would definitely recommend this course and may even have to come back myself for something more complicated! 😀"

Penlan Crafts responded:

" Dear Alice, thank you so much for your enthusiastic, very kind review! It was a pleasure working with you… and you’ll always be welcome if you decide to come back for the advanced course 😀"

29 Jul 21'

Geoff reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

"Thanks Stef for a brilliant day. I was a bit dubious at the start whether I would be able to complete the Frustrated Fisherman as there were numerous intricate parts to cut out, clean up and paint before assembling the automaton. Stef was very patient and meticulous in making sure that I had copied everything exactly as per his written drawings and instructions. He is a very cheerful and attentive tutor and I thoroughly enjoyed my day out. Thanks to Stef, he made the final inking-in outlining the expression on the Fishermans face and changing my painting into a real work of art. It all works perfectly and I will proudly show the Grand- Children when they next visit."

Penlan Crafts responded:

" Dear Geoff, thank you very much for your kind review! Your positive comments are even more important since they are coming from an expert woodmaker like you... thank you again and I'm sure your grandchildren will love "The Unlucky Fisherman"!"

8 Jul 21'

Kate Daly reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

"A lifelong wish to build an automaton was brilliantly delivered by Stef. Great location, workshop, tools, advice, help and tuition. All proper wood, so the final toy is beautiful, and the personal achievement immense. You have to choose one of the standard designs, but perfectly possible to have dancing elephants if you prefer to dancing sheep…. Just ask Stef. I wanted something complicated - and we did it. I had a lovely time."

Penlan Crafts responded:

" Dear Kate Thank you for your kind review. I am glad you had a lovely time, I really enjoyed working with you! Your enthusiasm and commitment paid off, your automaton is beautifully made (although I’m still debating within myself the right position of the black sheep!). All the best"

27 Jun 21'

Andrew Smallbone reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

"The tutor, Stef, was very organised contacting me in plenty of time to arrange The Day with does and don'ts. On the day of the course, which was just Stef and myself, he explained Health & Safety and then we started the build. The workshop is big enough. All the tools were clean and he unwrapped new hearing muffs and goggles for me. Whilst I chose to build what looked to be a simple fisherman it did in fact take until 5 pm to finish with lunch eaten on the go. Stef was at pains to make sure that I made all the parts and I was instrumental in putting it all together at the end. I also had to paint the fisherman. Stef tried his hardest to make sure that I enjoyed the day. I had a fantastic day. Stef was easy to get on with and he was very attentive to the construction and my wishes. The course was bought for me as a birthday gift. It was brilliant. I’ve now got an automaton Thankyou Stef"

Penlan Crafts responded:

" Thank you Andrew for your kind review. I am very happy you enjoyed building your mechanical toy. It was a pleasure working with you! All the best"

12 Jun 21'

Robert Taylor-Steward reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

"From the first stage of exchanging emails and booking, Stef was so very helpful. On the day, we met at a pre-arranged location where we could park our car and it was just two or three minutes walk to the studios where Stef has his workshop. There were toilets and a small kitchen area which were all clean and functional. Stef’s workshop was clean, tidy and well laid out, with good quality tools and equipment. Stef ran us through a safety briefing and had clean safety equipment for us to use (although we had our own). Stef is a great guy, friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and very talented. He demonstrated the techniques and use of the tools clearly and then let us do the work on our own toys. I had used woodworking tools before but my wife was a complete beginner. With Stef’s guidance she picked up the skills quickly, likening use of the band saw to guiding fabric through a sewing machine. We cut all the pieces for our automata from scratch, no pre-cut kit pieces here. It was good quality wood, not MDF too. It was a full days work but we left very proud of our finished pieces. A big thank you to Stef for a great class. We’ve done around 10 different workshop type classes and this was the best. Would definitely recommend to both complete beginners and those with some woodworking skills."

Penlan Crafts responded:

" Dear Rob and Lou, thank you very much for your kind words! It was really a pleasure to have you in my workshop. Your passion, hard work and commitment paid off, your automata are beautifully made! All the very best"

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Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Description

What's included in the price?

Duration

Cancellation policy

Maker

Penlan Crafts

Venue

Suitable for

Price:

Duration:

Next available date:

Reviews

Philipp reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Penlan Crafts responded:

Christa Kontozoglou reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Penlan Crafts responded:

Alice K reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Penlan Crafts responded:

Geoff reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Penlan Crafts responded:

Kate Daly reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Penlan Crafts responded:

Andrew Smallbone reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Penlan Crafts responded:

Robert Taylor-Steward reviewed: Basic automata and mechanical toy making

Penlan Crafts responded:

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