For a while now I've been a big fan of automata makers such as Keith Newstead and Dug North. Because of that, and because of a post on makezine.com in which a similar project is made, I decided to try my hand at my own automaton.

Let's-a go!

Step 1: Materials & Tools

Materials

1/4" dowel
Printer paper & ink
Clear tape
1/8" x 6" x 5" wood sheet
1/4" x 5" x 3" wood sheet
3/4" x 2" x 2" piece of wood
Wood glue

Tools

Table saw
Drill press
Hacksaw
Belt sander
Mouse detail sander
2 mini clampsPrinter
1/4" drill bit
Hole saw (radius of 3/4" or adjustable)

Step 2: Cut Housing

Cut the pieces pictured above on a table saw
Use a mouse detail sander to sand out a 1" by 1/4" clearance for the cam
Round two corners on one of the short sides of the 1/4" x 3" x 2 1/4" on a belt sander
Cut a 2 1/4" piece of the 1/4" dowel with a hacksaw
Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of the 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" square

Step 3: Cut Cam & Supporting Pieces

Cam

Cut a 3/4" thick cam with a radius of 3/4" on a drill press
Drill a 1/4" off-center hole in the cam
Cut a 4" piece of the 1/4" dowel with a hacksaw
Fill the hole in the cam with wood glue and slide it onto the dowel that was just cut

Handle

Cut a 1/4" x 1/4" x 3/4" piece of wood on a table saw
Drill a 1/4" hole on one side of the wood piece

Follower

Cut a 1/4" x 2" x 2" wood piece on the table saw
Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of the square
Cut a 3" piece of the 1/4" dowel with a hacksaw
Glue the dowel into the square

Step 4: Assemble Automaton

Assemble the automaton using wood glue as shown above. Make sure not to glue the axle to the housing or the follower to the slide (the hole on the top of the housing). Use mini clamps to keep the automaton secure while the glue is drying.

Step 5: Add Decorations

Print and cut the pdf below, adhering the background and ground to the automaton using wood glue or white glue. Use sticky tape to attach the Mario figurine to the follower.