OK, I have been lurking around here for the last 6 years. I wrecked my profile and put in the wrong email while resetting my password, Oh well let's just start again...

I have been collecting bits and resources to build a Flea Circus all this time. Books, Videos, Walt Noon's kit, Electronics, Timber, Fittings and the like. To date I have not found one that I completely like. So, it's finally time to make one that lives up my idea of how one should be.

The idea is an over-sized Cigar box with an antique feel, lots of glossy timber, brass and fancy bits. By over-sized I mean big enough to hold the production for a week from a Cuban Factory. The finished Circus will be remote controlled electronic and all items should be clean to add and remove from the arena. I want to include a Trapeze, High Wire, Diving Board, Cannon & Flaming Hoop, Ring, Caravan, Seesaw, Strength tester and a number of other gimmicks.

I have no particular skills or experience and do not really want to make it for my own use, just to make it as a challenge.

This post will be a chronicle of its construction over the next few months and any feedback would be much appreciated along the way.

Picture below is a dry fit of the box (52x43x16cm) with a test design of the artwork sitting on top as a laser printed overhead transparency final artwork will be waterslide decal. Frame is 18mm Tasmanian Oak router cut & stained Walnut. Panels are 9mm lightweight ply stained light beech. The frame is fully mitre cut and glued with silka PE Glue (no screws or nails. We will see if the no fixings is a smart move, I'm Sure...

Click here to view attached image.

A better version of the image above.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FL......rectlink

Detail of Overhead Transparency test artwork. Photoshopped image from Leah Palmer Preiss http://leahpalmerpreisscuriousart.blogsp......cus.html . Used with licence from her. Font is Cast Iron by Westwind Fonts. Coloured in Photoshop.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zY......rectlink

Brass corner detail still at dry fit stage.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MM......rectlink

Panels, 9mm Lightweight ply, stained and initial coat of gloss sealer.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FF......rectlink

9mm Tasmanian Oak Frame router cut and stained Walnut with initial gloss sealer. corners cut on mitre saw.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jL......rectlink

First panel titebond glue and clamp.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Tx......rectlink

A man can never have too many clamps.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B_......rectlink

Width approx 52cm
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Vv......rectlink

height approx 43.5 cm
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jo......rectlink

Decal applied. Circle Flea approx 20cm wide. Time to varnish..
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L2......rectlink

Top cut away from box. This was my most anxious part so far, done on a table saw, I was worried that the grain would blow out but the gloss enamel held it in place very well. Just needed a little sand and all good
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_j......rectlink

Lid and base cut apart, needs edge strip fitted after routing to size.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/as......rectlink

Original Artwork before modification
http://leahpalmerpreisscuriousart.blogsp......cus.html

Decal detail
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sP......rectlink

Best of luck to you, I do find it interesting that you want to build a remote controlled circus without any experience or skills as you say. Anyway, as I said best of luck.

Below is a remote version which I had built a few years ago ( actually made three - just sold the last one ):



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUqBwLqIGQA


Happy Holidays!


Chuck Caputo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gekB9B1epjw

Hi Chuck,

Thanks for your interest, I have followed your work and love what you do. My project is more of a personal challenge. In saying I have no skills, perhaps it is a little self depreciating Aussie style. I would not say I'm totally clueless but I will be pushing myself. The system will be arduino powered and the idea will be to have Multi-events triggered off a single button press, I want it to operate hands free, the only hand work would be tweezers and the cannon trigger. I will be using memory wire and smart valves that I have collected over time. I will keep updating the post as I go. Hope you can drop by and I sincerely appreciate and respect your comments.

Cheers
Murray

There is a lot of satisfaction in building your own props and doo-dads. Have fun! I look forward to watching the progress as you get into the actual flea-works!

OK, its time for a progress report. Like seems to be the trend in here, everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as expected. What between work, family and life in general I ground to a halt. over the last month or so I have been doing some more work and I thought I'd share my progress, partly for interest sake and partly self motivation to move this project forward. My goal is to complete full construction for Christmas then work through the programming of the Arduino controller to get it going. Since last time I have completed the case including all artwork and am up to about coat 5 of 8 of Poly Urethane finish prior to assembly of hinges and brass-ware. A friend is currently turning some finials to add to the circus trick bases in matching swamp mahogany. The sign-writing is in a font "Egyptienne Zierinitialien" and hand coloured in photoshop then printed to clear waterslide decal paper for application. The "oldde time" luggage labels were printed onto white waterslide paper then applied. There are also a couple of pics of test fitting the brass case ware. Love any feedback...

Picasa Album of current work stage

https://picasaweb.google.com/11053814360......53911730

Sorry link was wrong

https://picasaweb.google.com/11053814360......rectlink

So far, I think your work is looking AWESOME!
You previously stated "everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as expected"
So true. Most folks do not fully understand how much time it takes to develop a new creation/product.

Well, once you have the box complete...the real "FUN" begins!!
Electronic mechanism will drive you CRAZY!!!...but it is so fun to win the battle!
Enjoy the ride and I look forward to seeing the final result.
Chance

Superior!!

Excellent artwork!

Oh!!! I love it when the postman calls around. Picked up these tiny stepper motors from China. one Variety is only 7mm long x 6mm diameter. So small I think they must have been assembled by fleas!

Click here to view attached image.

Awesome stuff.

Very cool, love the "olde tyme" look!