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Archer Automaton

Posted December 07, 2016 4:29 AM by Del the cat

For ages I've been tinkering with the idea of making an archer automaton. There are some superb Japanese ones, but while they are incredible pieces of craftsmanship, the actual drawing action of the bow is all wrong.

I've just made a very simple prototype to prove my ideas... it's already being improved.
This very brief video shows it working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udnK4SXUtBY

Enjoy!
Del

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#1

Re: Archer Automaton

12/07/2016 7:17 AM

Nice work Del, I watch some of the other videos also that was also very good. (Actually an interesting documentary of sorts.)

Looking forward to more...

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#2

Re: Archer Automaton

12/07/2016 8:45 AM

Nice. What does trigger the release of the arrow???

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Archer Automaton

12/07/2016 9:02 AM

If you do a stop/go on the vid, you'll see the string (and arrow) travels up under a small ramp where his collar would be, this forces the arrow and string sideways off the fingers.
This video is helping me to fine tune that mechanism for the next iteration.
Del

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#4

Re: Archer Automaton

12/07/2016 9:14 AM

Nice work, I'd like to see the finished article when it's done.

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#5
In reply to #4

Re: Archer Automaton

12/07/2016 9:25 AM

Yup, rest assured I'll post it, it will take a while as it may need several iterations.
Del

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#6
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Re: Archer Automaton

12/07/2016 11:47 AM

Seen the Youtube - Love the gizmo !

Absolutely superb.

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#7

Re: Archer Automaton

12/07/2016 8:45 PM

Very interesting. And clever.

A flaming arrow might be easier to find.

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#8

Re: Archer Automaton

12/08/2016 12:27 AM

It was a little difficult to hear everything you said.

I think you said it was a Long Bow ? That is the video where you have a string attached to the bow and as you pull it, the gauge shows 20 pounds (?) .

You are standing in front of a brick wall and you have wrote numbers on the wall with chalk.

My question: what types of wood have you tried to use for a bow and what types of bow construction / manufacturing operations have you successfully attempted ?

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#9
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Re: Archer Automaton

12/08/2016 3:04 AM

The bow with the automaton is just a sliver of cane, I'll make a much better bow for the final piece.
In terms of real working bows, I've made everything from scaled down miniature Yew longbows, to medieval Yew warbows of 150 pound draw weight with a 32" draw.
Construction wise, I've laminated, spliced and backed bows of Hickory, Yew, Ash, Lemonwood, Hazel, Laburnum, Elder, Sycamore, Maple, Bamboo, Cherry.
I've had a few explode too.
I generally make self bows, that is bows of one piece of timber.
I don't "manufacture" a bow, I craft it, mostly with hand tools although I do use a bandsaw a fair bit, as roughing out a stave with an axe is rough on the elbows.
On my Youtube chanel there are two series of videos,showing complete builds one of a longbow and one of a 120 pound draw weight Warbow.

I have laminated Maple and fibreglass bows too, notably on a Chinese Repeating Crossbow.
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#10
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Re: Archer Automaton

12/08/2016 4:10 AM

That crossbow is interesting. looks like the bolts don't have any flights, is that how they would have been used originally?

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#11
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Re: Archer Automaton

12/08/2016 4:28 AM

Yes, that's right. I believe it was a relatively short range defensive weapon, imagine defending a doorway with one of those.
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#12

Re: Archer Automaton

12/08/2016 12:44 PM

Wood work and wood work. Oh, man. Nothing smells like wood, Woody! Another thingy to add up the armory, Del?

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#13

Re: Archer Automaton

12/08/2016 6:10 PM

Is it truly an automaton ? Marvelous as it is, I'd like some rear shots.With some gilt etc you might get close to the da Vinci Lion thing.

Seriously, it's a superb bit of worksmanship.

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#17
In reply to #13

Re: Archer Automaton

12/09/2016 4:00 AM

No it's not an automaton YET! Do pay attention...
It's just a prototype mechanism at the moment.
Finished thing may be powered by clockwork, electric motor, hand crank or nuclear fusion.
Del

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#18
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Re: Archer Automaton

12/09/2016 10:22 AM

Aw, c'mon, the first three are insane.

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#22
In reply to #17

Re: Archer Automaton

12/13/2016 8:09 AM

Could you design one that kept on working after you gave it an initial nudge? A sort of perpetually moving automaton....

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#23
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Re: Archer Automaton

12/13/2016 9:37 AM

Already done it... made it out of gingerbread but it ran away!
Del

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#24
In reply to #23

Re: Archer Automaton

02/01/2017 8:42 AM

<crrrrrunch>

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

oops!

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#14

Re: Archer Automaton

12/09/2016 1:17 AM

Dear Del, In Indian Mythology there are many tales of wars. Most of the wars are fought with Bows and Arrows. There are many artistic Bows and Arrows which may be of interest to you. You can view them through Googles or I can send you few pics.

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#16
In reply to #14

Re: Archer Automaton

12/09/2016 3:58 AM

Hi, yes I've read some of the stories.
We have a picture on our fridge of an Indian (god?) with a bow, riding on a monkey :) with an army of monkeys.
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#21
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Re: Archer Automaton

12/10/2016 1:38 AM

Hi Del, It is from Ramayan our holy book. Lord Rama riding piggy back Lord Hanuman.

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#15

Re: Archer Automaton

12/09/2016 3:31 AM

As ever, very interesting. Keep up the interesting videos....

It was also interesting to see you!!!

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#19

Re: Archer Automaton

12/09/2016 11:12 AM

Excellent Work Del. Please post the final product when completed.

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#20

Re: Archer Automaton

12/09/2016 3:28 PM

Sweet!

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