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"Homunculus" Kinetic Robot sculpture from found materials

\"Homunculus\" Kinetic Robot sculpture from found materials
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Step 1Collect a bunch of junk and tools

Collect a bunch of junk and tools
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I guess I'm sort of biased here, but I think its important to hoard interesting things.  All of my projects develop out of this habit.  So naturally its the place to begin this instructable. 
I was fortunate enough to have been the Artist in Residence at the San Francisco Dump a few years ago, and have managed to retain the privilege to salvage there.  Scrap yards and second hand stores such as Urban Ore are also frequent sources for materials.
Of course, all these resources would be meaningless without some sort of facility to re-work  them.  My studio has evolved over the years to be just the sort of place to accomplish this.
I use a wide variety of grinders and sanders to clean old material, as well as many hand tools to disassemble these things for parts.  I've come to depend heavily on my collection of wrenches, pliers and screw drivers for this purpose (these links point to Craftsman tools, can you tell I'm entering this instructable in the Crafstman tools contest?). 

In the final images for this step you can see my studio and some of my equipment. The scooter being worked on in one photo was the subject of one of my previous instructables. You can see it here. The same goes for my Praying Mantis sculpture seen in another photo.
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19 comments
Nov 16, 2011. 4:49 AMscoyle2 says:
Such stunning work Nemo. It takes quite a talent to create a working kinetic sculptor that also looks beautiful and stylish. I've just been to the Sharmanka exhibition in the Theatre Museum in Glasgow where the work of Eduard Bersudsky, created in a small bedsit in Stalinist Russia, is now displayed. I love the mad genius of your work!
Dec 12, 2010. 4:31 PMmiatch says:
This is an awesome project! Do you sell most of the stuff you make? Cause this is an amazing one of a kind project!
Dec 29, 2010. 4:44 PMchrizw123 says:
Hi Nemo, your works are really great. How much do you sell them for roughly ?
Dec 31, 2010. 2:21 PMchrizw123 says:
Wow, that's slot of money. Good for you!
Dec 13, 2010. 6:40 AMBOHtiki says:
Inspiring !
Dec 13, 2010. 4:31 AMarkrite says:
Apart from a smashing workshop, (jealous as hell) really love the lathe and Miller! Me thinks when the kids have grown up, there's gonna be some changes.;0) Love the robot...something that can stand on the mantlepiece as a talking point! Don't stop now!
Dec 12, 2010. 5:23 PMbricabracwizard says:
Great Robot!! I'm very envious of your workshop, you have all the equipment that I am saving up for - well done!
Dec 12, 2010. 10:46 AMParrhesia says:
I love Urban Ore! I get so many ideas from just walking around, although nothing as cool as this. I'm so glad this was featured - I'm enjoying your work quite a bit. Thanks for giving us a peek into the process :)
Dec 12, 2010. 7:42 AMtagyerit says:
I am in awe - BRAVO!
Dec 12, 2010. 12:20 AMtchitwood says:
So fantastic! Your work is wonderful, interesting and amazing and makes me smile :)
Dec 11, 2010. 2:50 AMwobbler says:
Magic!
Dec 9, 2010. 6:21 PMabdul_jahar says:
thats pretty slick
Dec 9, 2010. 3:36 PMMr.Sanchez says:
What a Trip in the junkyard...subtle job
Dec 9, 2010. 11:23 AMcanida says:
Wow, gorgeous. And the keyhole eyes are remarkably expressive!
Dec 9, 2010. 11:01 AMHonus says:
What can I say- it's beautiful. Fantastic design and execution.

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Author:nemomatic
I am a kinetic sculptor who works from found materials.