Wood Robot

by mtairymd

15K1216

Intro: Wood Robot

The robot was made from scrap wood and a few pieces from an old K’Nex set. It’s similar in style to Mr. Tipsy from Raivan as shown here. Differences in this version include shape, size, number of parts and mid-point rotation.

As for motion, the head, hands, feet and hips spin. The arms and legs have two rotating joints. See animation my kids put together for some cool robot dance moves.

STEP 1: Tools/Materials

Tools:

Band Saw
Table Saw
Drill Press
¼” Drill Bit
Sander
Hammer

Materials:

1x4 x 24”
2x4 x 8”
¼” Dowel x 14”

STEP 2: You Will Be Building to This Drawing

Note that the parts are color coded for easy reference.

STEP 3: Body

The body was made from a 4" long 2x4. Drill the holes at the locations shown. Note that the drawing shows through holes for simplicity. These four holes only need to be 1/2" deep from the sides.

STEP 4: Hips

Cut the Hip as shown. I used the round end side of a 2x4. Again, the holes only need to be 1/2" deep.

STEP 5: Head

I used the excess from the 2x4 for the head. You might want to pre-drill the holes for the facial features at this point.

STEP 6: Pins for Arm, Leg, Hip and Head

Cut 1/4" dowel to the lengths shown.

STEP 7: Arm Assembly

See Video of the Arm and Leg Build here:

STEP 8: Arm Parts

Cut the 1x4 into 1.5” strips to be used for the legs and arms. Cut the parts as shown. I used a table saw for the Arm1 slot. I assume a router table would have been easier/better way to make this cut. I used a band saw for Arm2 and the Hand. The holes were drilled with a drill press. A sander was used for the chamfers. Refer to video in the previous step to see my amateur woodworking skills.

STEP 9: Leg Assembly

Same construction as the Arm Assembly.

STEP 10: Leg Parts

Same as the Arm Parts (see video).

STEP 11: Hip

Attach the Hip to the Body with a 1" long dowel.

STEP 12: Attach Legs

Align holes and use 1.25" long dowels to make the attachment.

STEP 13: Attach Arms

Align holes and use 1.25" long dowels to make the attachment.

STEP 14: Attach Head

Attach head with 1" long dowel.

STEP 15: Face

I picked through the kids old K'Nex set for the eyes, eyebrows and mouth. I used wood screws to attach the pieces.

STEP 16: Happy Robot

STEP 17: Final Product

6 Comments

mrsmerwin 7 years ago

this does not look like a beginner project. Would you call it intermediate or advanced? I am wondering where to put it on my list. It looks like fun but my skills need improvement first.

mtairymd 7 years ago

I guess it depends on your reference. I visit quite a few woodworking forums and this would definitely be considered a beginner project to that group. BTW, I would consider myself to be an amateur woodworker at best. Although building this was tedious, it's actually not too hard if you have patience.