Making Things Move DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists

I teach high school students how to design and create robots. Although I enjoy kits like NXT & Vex, I encourage students to build their own robots and other machines from scratch using microcontrollers like the Stamp or the Arduino. This book gives people a very good introduction to many important concepts related to how things work. This is very important because, based on my experience, it seems like most teenagers do not know how to properly use even the simplest tools, they aren't familiar with how to take something apart, let alone put it back together. Also, it could be true that most adolescents are completely lost when figuring out how to design and build reliable machines - even at the most basic level.This book is very unique in content and I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to begin building robotic, artistic, or any type of mechanical devices (including automata projects). The concepts are explained well and several examples are provided to help get people started. It's my opinion the information in this book is almost meaningless without experience. When people are engaged in creating the projects in the book they will build incredibly useful experience when they later design and create their own projects.A few of the sample projects had various bits of information missing or perhaps unclear, however, most anyone with a little experience performing these projects will figure out how to "connect the dots" fairly easily (which could actually make the sample projects even more rewarding by self-discovery). I would probably have placed a little more information about obtaining a good quality set of essential tools and the value of collecting an inventory of popular materials. I would also let the reader know that no matter how much someone reads about how to play a violin, learning doesn't begin without actually picking up the instrument and playing it. Like obtaining any useful skill, nobody will really learn valuable lessons from this book simply by reading it - the return on investment comes when performing the sample exercises. Don't let my micro-picky comments deter you - overall, it's really a great book and provides essential information for many learners.I highly recommend this book not only as a starting guide for anyone who would like to learn more about how to make their own device with moving parts &/or electronically controlled items, but also the book serves as a wonderful resource for lots of information which could be useful years down the road. The examples range from very good to excellent and the organization of concepts and delivery of information is logical. Probably my favorite part of this book is the way the author provides information with clear and concise terminology - she gives you enough to explain what's going on so you can understand and begin DOING something quickly. More information on these topics, if needed, is always available from other sources. And that's the real beauty of this book - it gives the reader enough explanatory information to make sense followed with well structured opportunities to DO many things. That's the best way to learn, by doing.

I bought this book when I saw it promoted on a DiY website (maybe MAKE?), and ever since it's never left my side. It's a practical resource to get anyone building their favorite project or self-conceived idea in no time. I didn't want get stuck in the formulas and rhetoric commonly flaunted in engineering. Let me "Build something now!" I thought. Start learning by doing! And, I read this book. It distills those theories and calculations into compact, accessible language that lays out what you need to know to get up and running. I've had a blast throughout this whole learning process. It's one of those books in which the author actually gets her audience (maybe because she has been a teacher). She incorporates modern practices, so you're not stuck in an ice age somewhere. She jumps write into content in the Introduction, and every chapter matters. If you want to build on the math and science, you could, because the author does introduce some of those concepts. If at any point you want to dig deeper into an area, such as, 3d modeling and manufacturing, you could (and it's to be expected if you want to better your design skills.) Don't be fooled. This is not a book for dummies kind of project. As someone who has studied engineering and design in college, I find that a book like this (which is a rarity to find) essential for developing the hands-on knowledge to getting things made and working, simply and quickly.This book, however, is not a programming or electrical design book. One reviewer criticized the book's lack of depth in those areas, to which I respond, "Didn't you read the title?!" So, if you think, this book or any book could sufficiently cover mechanical, electrical and program design, expect it to be an encyclopedia. For what this book is written for - mechanisms for the DiY crowd - Making Things Move beats expectation.

If you have a maker or aspiring maker in your life and they don't own this book, this should be your gift to them. You won't just be giving them a book, but a fundamental education in machines and fabrication techniques that they will be able to use for the rest of their life. No, that's not an exaggeration.In 'Making Things Move', Dustyn Roberts explains mechanical design principles and their applications in non-technical terms, using examples and a dozen topic-focused projects.The book is a wealth of information: * Introductions to mechanisms and machines * Finding and using materials such as metals, plastics, & wood * Basic physics * How to fasten and attach things in a bunch of different ways * Info on different types of motors and how to use them * Converting between rotary and linear motion * Using off-the-shelf components * A wide variety of fabrication techniques * How to have things made, if you can't do it yourself * A primer on Arduino micro-controllers * There is even a section on automata!This is an outstanding book with a ton of useful material presented in a very accessible way. I believe it to be a classic-in-its-own time for makers. I wish I had owned it years ago!

I had great hopes for this book having read some of the reviews. However for me it failed to deliver much. Firstly it is clearly written with an American, rather than a global, audience in mind. A lot of the recommended suppliers for parts only have a presence in the USA, it uses of the imperial rather than the metric system, the quality of the black and white photography is poor in a lot of cases and some of the workshop practices are dubious and at least one is unsafe without protective gloves. Some of the projects are a bit misleading. For example Project 7.1 "make your own gears" gets you to design a gear using a cad package and then, rather than make your own as the title suggests, you order it from a fabrication house in the USA who makes it for you. Where the book scores is its simple, sometimes too simple, description of the theoretical aspects of engineering. To be honest most buyers would be better of using the money to buy some hand tools and making something or spending a bit more on the somewhat dated but excellent "Physical Computing" by O'Sullivan and Igoe and a decent book on Model Engineering such as Model Engineering a foundation course by Peter Wright. Lastly, this book claims to be about making. Part of the making ethos is recycling, yet this seems not to be mentioned. But there is much to be harvested from, for example, a broken microwave oven. Lots of screws, steel, a fair few meters of copper wire, a lovely synchronous 3-4 rpm motor....

So, you've read and understood a basic practical electronics book like Make: Electronics: Learning Through Discovery  or programming an ardiuno Getting Started with Arduino (Make: Projects)  and now you want to, as the book says, make things move.Like the above books, this is an entry to medium level book. If you've struggled with concepts of materials, levers, motors and stuff; this book will give you the keys to open up the techniques and technologies that will help you.It's very practical, but puts the theory in where it's needed in an understandable way. It's littered with diagrams and real world examples. Fortunately, this is not a book that has loads of pre-digested projects; instead you are given far more useful concepts and principles that you can apply to what it is you want to do.I'm an artist that makes kinetic sculptures; I'm not a mechanic or a geek. This book was a perfect start and reference book. Recommended. Make: Electronics: Learning Through DiscoveryGetting Started with Arduino (Make: Projects)

There doesn't seem to be many other books for this topic so its difficult to compare but overall its okay. I have very little experience of making moving mechanical objects but I have to admit I don't feel I have learn't as much as I expected reading this book. I also found the book lacks inspiration inside; its very well presented but it didn't get my imagination spinning with ideas for projects. I think it will sit on the shelf and act as a good reference book for the future. Its easy to read and follow; you don't need to be technically minded to follow it making it accessible to everyone.

The information is interesting and well presented but has poor photos and illustrations.Fairly sure the author was uncertain of her audience but will look out for her next work and hopefully it will be aimed at "Inventors" .fair

Great book that will get your mind going with future projects.