Making Simple Automata

This book provides some excellent examples of automata, some antique, and does give details to construct a couple of interesting models. I was hoping for more instructions on how to build other automata; but this book is a good start and inspiration.

I have the book. This purchase was a download for Kindle. Great read!

Superb visual examples and a fascinating written description of a work(s) and accurate history of my favorite subject, why did I wait to purchase. Thank you so much for the volume of effort and importance to convey your ideas to everybody that has to know. Vol. 2 comes out when?

Interesting, and very nice photos - what's really annoying about this book is that he shows photos of beautiful "very simple" automata - but his directions at the end of the book are for making a couple of unattractive, unappealing and quite complicated pieces that I have no desire to attempt. It seems like a deliberate attempt to frustrate interest - he could have helped, but he didn't. Thanks a lot, Robert.

Great little book including historical and cultural examples (photographs), how a maker thinks about design-and-materials, several small paper mechanical toys' instructions and cut-out parts, bibliography and resources. However this is not a 'simple book'; making a miniature precise paper machine is a challenge for anyone. Enjoy the adventure.

Very enjoyable to read, fascinating, it gives you insight on the history of automation and what to look for if you should every want to buy something that is automata or decide on to building your own.

Great variety of working automata. I made one of the projects shown, though not really step-by-step tutorial. You do need to analyze the illustrations to see how mechanisms and linkages are assembled. I'd say it's a great book for a beginner to intermediate woodworker with a self-starting attitude.

It seems to be for beginners in that way it is very interesting

Downgrade to 1 star .. the more I read the more I’m convinced this is written by a chap who has little intention of actually shwpobv you how to make these things work why folks give it 4 or 5 stars I have no idea. Really not worth the money. I did some simple google searches and found much more useful info for free, sadly this was after I’d bought this book and realised that however interesting it is it’s pretty crap when it come to explaining how to build automata and the different mechanisms v movement

This is the first book I've come across that gives decent guidance for making your own automata the others merely describe existing automata.

I like this book a lot. Will be trying out making the examples and hopefully will get the confidence to try more complicated machines. Cleverly pitched to encourage a successful outcome.

everything was well explained and good images

Robert Race is both a superb Automata maker and an excellent teacher. Many of these simple automata can be completed just with this book, but you can be taught by Mr Race at West Dean College if you are lucky enough to secure a place in the class.