Resources

Automata & Art

• The Automata Blog by Dug North.  The best source of automata news since 2006.
• Artomic – The astounding works of Thomas Kuntz.  Here’s another site and an old interview.  Masterful work.
• Les Automates de Francois Junod – Automata by Francois Junod.  Almost unbelievable craftsmanship and complexity.
• dalemathis.com – If you like gears and art in motion, and I do.  Some very beautiful pieces.
• Tom Haney Automata – Tom Haney is a prolific creator of whimsical figures and automata with a unique caricature style.  Many fascinating work-in-progress photos on his site.
• Tim Hunkin –  Prolific creator, artist, writer. I love the humor in his works.
• Kinetic Dreams – The automata of Pablo Lavezzari
• michaeldemeng.com – Assemblage art and blog of Michael deMeng.  Humorously bizarre works that I find strangely appealing.
• Nemo Gould –  Kinetic sculptures made from found materials; in a class of their own.
• Blair Somerville – Uplifting video profile of the New Zealand artist, creator, tinkerer. A favorite of mine that I never tire of watching.

Cornucopia of Cool

• Hacked Gadgets – All kinds of creative projects; not all electronic
• Dark Roasted Blend – Weird and wonderful things.  This site has no end…
• Kilroys – Kevin’s Minneapolis Warehouse has closed its doors but he is still buying and selling vintage coin-op, advertising, cool & weird things

Electricity

• Electrostatic Machines – A huge resource for static generating machines
• Antique Radios Forum – Vintage radios, audio, phonographs, test equipment, restoration tips

Electronics

• Hack A Day – Lots of electronics projects – some very creative stuff

Metalworking, Machines, Tools

• The Taig Lathe – Nick Carter’s Taig lathe and milling machine pages
• John Bentley’s Taig Lathe – The finest Taig lathe I have seen.  See also ModelEngines.info
• Projects in Metal – videos, tips, and plans for machine accessories and model engines
• Home Model Engine Machinist – Web site and forum discussing miniature engines of all types.
• The Engineman – Another John Bentley model engine site.   It doesn’t get much better than this.
• Jan Ridders Modelbouw – Model Stirling, vacuum, and combustion engines.  A prolific designer and builder of many beautiful models.  Plans are available.

Music and Musical Instruments

• Theremin World – Forum dedicated to the theremin, one of the few electronic musical instruments that can be played without any physical contact.
• Levnet on Facebook – This is where the theremin Pros and Kool Kids (well, mostly) hang out.  It’s more player oriented than Theremin World which has evolved into more of a technical discussion group.
• The LinnStrument – An innovative MPE MIDI controller design by Roger Linn of Roger Linn Design.  If you like theremins this is worth looking at. A great design by a great designer.

 Sculpture & Modeling

• The Clubhouse – Site for model-builders, sculptors, and collectors, with a very active forum
• Sculpture Community – Sculpture.net forum, another great resource
• WillowProducts.com – Sculpting waxes are no longer sold, but you can buy the recipe journal
• Overman Charity Waxes – Some free sculpting wax recipes from Gary of Willow Products

Service Manuals / Schematics

• Government Manuals – From oscilloscopes to riot gear, nearly 4800 copyright-free manuals
• BAMA Archive – Hundreds of manuals, free for download
• eServiceInfo – Schematics for test equipment, computers, everything in between, free
• Gyraf Audio’s Obscure Schematics – High end audio gear, some components, free

Theaters and Drive-ins

• Cinema Collection – Movie theater interior photographs by Franck Bohbot.  Forget the movie – just turn up the lights and admire the walls and ceilings.

3D Printing

• Teaching Tech (YouTube) – Michael Laws is of the most prolific sources of concise technical information for the 3D printing community.
• Maker’s Muse (YouTube) – Angus Deveson is an industrial designer from Sydney, Australia that also puts a great deal of work into his presentations.  Great technical content as well.
• Thomas Sanladerer (Youtube) – Excellent technical information, troubleshooting, printer reviews, and live streams.
• 3D Printing Nerd (YouTube) – Entertaining reviews and interviews.  Joel Telling is an active and polished presenter.
• Marlin Firmware – If you use Marlin, everything you need to know can be found here.

Vintage & Archived

• Popular Mechanics Archive –  Online issues covering 1922 to 2005
• Popular Science Archive – 1925 to 2009
• American Woodworker –  1989 to 1999
• LIFE Magazine – 1936 to 1972
• Internet Archive – Archive.org, a vast repository of text, audio, video, and more
• Wayback Machine – Nearly half a trillion webpages captured over time. Part of archive.org.  See what a website contained before it got scrubbed…
• Old Time Radio – Also found on the Internet Archive.  Philip Marlowe, Suspense, Lights Out, Mystery Theater radio shows and much more.  Contemporary material as well.