Kinetic Tetherball desk toy (Codename: H.A.T.S.) - Woodworking project

[@carmelpule6954]

This is not just a toy, this is the pendulum of a clock which may be evolved into a time keeping machine. In fact there were seven day clocks which worked on this principle , they rotated slower and looking at them would send you in a trance. Congratulations for the design, one can build two spinners with a single rubber band and so one may get two spins in one rotation of the horizontal bar. Very nice indeed and the finishing of the woodwork is excellent.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you very much.

[@petermorrell5666]

I have just completed this project out of metal. It is a lot more rigid and smooth flowing. I still like your design, it is simple and material cost is low. I added a bearing to mine to give smooth flow and less resistance. Thanks for your wisdom and insight.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

+Peter Morrell - Oh cool, thanks for letting me know! I'll bet it runs for a long time. I'd love to see it. If you get a chance and feel like it, you're welcome to send me some pictures (or even a short video clip) and I'll show it off in a future video. I'm collecting more stuff to make another "Your Projects Inspired By My Projects" segment. I really appreciate your support. Thanks for watching.

[@garydelder]

This will be great for the grandkids. Thank Steve.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

+Gary Elder - I appreciate your support. If you make any of these, I'd love if you'd send me a picture of them and allow me to show them off in a future video.

[@xinguo9103]

Provided woodworking project so interesting，thank steve

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

+xin guo - I appreciate your support. Thanks for watching!

[@raykent3211]

The trickiest thing is deciding what to call these things! Sometimes referred to as flying pendulum, in case anyone wants to google for more info. I've made a couple powered by a descending weight over a pulley, with the thread wrapped around the shaft, instead of the elastic band. The behaviour depends on the weights of the various bits and can get quite chaotic. Fascinating. Haven't yet found a complete analysis... But one thing's for sure, it's a great little project, thanks!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Ray, you're correct. It is a flying pendulum escapement. Your descending weight-powered variation sounds quite interesting. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate your being here!

[@clausbauer6276]

Good idea and very interesting way to show how to build it.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate the support.

[@juliekroesche5987]

love it, I'm going to make one for my granddaughter she will be mesmerized by the action

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Send me a picture if you make one and I'll show it off in a future video :) Thanks for watching!

[@shianneavery2670]

Very good job Steve. We can all see you enjoy what you are doing. Keep it going forward. Thanks, Gerald

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Hey there! Thank you very much for watching and commenting.

[@johnthompson3462]

clever and nice and simple.Not a lot of work or money. Good channel

[@physicsguybrian]

Not only is the project cool but you also present it well and with some comedy relief! Sub'ed!!!

[@matthewjohnson7933]

That is sweet! My kid wood love that! Gotta make one soon! Thanks Steve!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Get on it; your kid can't wait to have something this cool! Seriously though, I'd be surprised if any kid with a heart doesn't find this toy endearing.

[@daymondhelton1998]

I have been making this very scientific toy for craft show sales for roughly 30 years. I do not have fixed dimensions. Simply using scrap, unusual wood. It never fails to get attention. I named it the THANG (That is hillbilly for thing). I have been invited to local elementary schools to science classes to demonstrate inertia, momentum etc. Lots of fun. I am a retired Air Force mathmatician(sp) 87 years old and need to stay busy.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

+Daymond Helton It is a great gizmo. I love science - particularly physics - and find things like this quite interesting. And you're right; they do attract attention. I've had them at two craft fairs so far and they catch everyone's eye as they walk by. Thank you for watching and sharing your story. It ain't nuthin' but a thang!

[@geraldavery1396]

I always enjoy your seeing your creations. And would like to see you attending the Lakeland Woodworkers Club again.

[@PaulHutchinson357]

Hi Steve, Great video, what you have built is a "Flying Pendulum" escapement device that dates back to the dark ages and is one of the forerunners to modern timepieces. So not only is it cool to watch, you have built a historic replica that can be used for teaching as well. Thank you for sharing your time and talent.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Paul Hutchinson Ah ok, cool! I really appreciate the information. I wondered if the mechanism had a proper name. Thanks for watching!

[@PaulHutchinson357]

I forgot to ask... why did you make so many of them?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Paul Hutchinson​ I made so many (40) so I have some to sell and giveaway as gifts, whichever comes first. Like many projects, it's so much easier and quicker to batch them out than to only make a few and have to repeat the entire process again more frequently. Thanks for watching.

[@ArtRafaelminiatures]

Super Special Steve. Looks like you are having too much fun. Thanks for sharing.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Also, Gary Scurlock , I appreciate your watching and commenting! I'm glad you enjoy the animation sequences. I love to add them whenever I can, even if only for your enjoyment and mine! Thank you very much, Sir.

[@susie3702]

Many thanks for all the great videos you have, you make me wish I still had a workshop to try and make some for the grand children. Regards Poppy Ann.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you for watching, Poppy Ann lynagh-smith !

[@MRrwmac]

That is sooooo cool BUT what was even more impressive was all that you did for the humor, quick takes, stop animation, and audio speed. Thank you very much for all the time and effort you took to make the video informative and Very entertaining!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Wow, what a satisfying comment to read, MRrwmac . Thank you very much! I'm glad you've enjoyed.

[@mariafinnerty7184]

Great project.Thanks for sharing and showing

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

And thank you for watching!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Good to see you back, it's been a while. I loved the hats, You're a woodworking Viking! LOL! That sanding jig was pretty sweet too, I need to build one of those. You must be heading to a craft show making that many Kinetic toys all at once. Regards, Bob

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks, Bob. One might say that I "wear many hats"! The sanding jigs (for the discs and dowels) sure come in handy. I used a jig just like that to sand the the discs on the towers of Hanoi puzzles I made. Yup, I did end up making a batch of them, as I commented wanting to do in your video: Towers Of Hanoi Short Version (so thanks again for your video). I even sold some of them at the craft show! The particular batch being made in this video is preparation for future shows and to sell online. Just building up more stock. One can never have too many different cool things for sale!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Steve French Well you definitely make some cool things. Regards, Bob

[@Srcsqwrn]

Just came to see the video you commented about on Tim's video! You also have one of those extending ball things that Tim had, too! Amazing! Really cool you made one of the toys! Interesting to see the process! Although some of the music gets a bit intense at times.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks for checking it out. Sorry about the music.

[@johnnie52]

Great video Steve and a fun project to boot!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I certainly enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@nonachyourbusiness1164]

I love looking at skillful woodworking, it's my heroin

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertlangley258]

Non' AchYourbusiness Dang man, with all the available wood lying around you must stay strapped!

[@STEVEBLACKA]

Great video, great project! ..thanks Steve Steve

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Yay, another Steve to the woodworking party! Thank you, Sir.

[@johnalexandermagic]

This is very nice Steve. I really like it.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you very much! I hope life is treating you well.

[@dmgladden]

That was very good Steve I enjoyed watching that you still have the magic with the camera but I'm glad I wouldn't have that many to make as you do I hate reputation I get bored too easily, anyway mate great job thanks for sharing

Your productions are starting to get very....involved. :D Very nice work!

[@pocket83]

That Master Chief helmet is a great way to protect the head from bandsaw blades that snap. It looks a lot lighter than the Daft Punk helmet that I always wear. Great video! Really cool project, and I can't believe that I've never seen anything like that before. Beautiful stop-motion, by the way. Especially at the end.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

The Master Chief helmet is actually only the front. Who knows where the rest of the helmet is. I had to look straight ahead or it would have fallen off. All of the hats/head gear I used are my son's. A Daft Punk helmet would have been cool. Or maybe a Gwar costume. Oddly enough, no one who I've shown mine to have ever seen anything like it either. Even the woodworkers who've been working the wood for 50 years. It seems to be of Japanese origin. But who knows for sure. And thank you for the nice comments. I always enjoy your take on things.

[@destineywest7776]

Steve French How many hats does he have? Jeez.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thruth be known, I only own 2 hats that I know of.(both baseball hats). The ones in this video are all belong to my son, Dillon. Now that boy has a bunch of hats.

[@destineywest7776]

Probably does.

[@keithvannote729]

Nice job,keep up the great videos. I picked up one of these along time ago at a farm sale.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you very much.

[@ken1Lane]

Cool, I got to make one of them, great video Steve, thanks.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Please do. You'll be glad you did.

[@lvl4t4d0r]

Thank you for share your genius I very love your genius but love so much your safety helmet (HATS)

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Haha, One can never be too safe! I appreciate your being here. Thanks for the comment.

[@JesusvonNazaret]

great project, perfect for my desk

[@robertlangley258]

Jesus von Nazaret You must be a supervisor that was promoted beyond his abilities. The government job I had in Florida for 38 years was loaded with folks that would have loved to have had this on their desks to help keep them awake part of the day.

[@theweepinghunter]

what a fab build thank you

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks, Joseph.

[@twlson49]

nice video .. love the animation .. the editing.. and the hats...he he....I am making one of those toys.

[@gpuguy]

+wood n stuff w/ Steve, great job dear friend.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you very much!

[@jessl8917]

Awesome video! Love all the headgear haha

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Haha, I was feeling particularly goofy in this one. Thanks for watching!

[@pablocordoba5822]

great vídeo!! thanks from Argentina!!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I appreciate the feedback!

[@iamdjon]

Best safety gear ever Steve >D... another great video!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Haha, sometimes I'm pretty goofy. Thanks for watching!

[@franciscojavierfelixlares4301]

Me gusto mucho el proyecto... gracias, y me suscribi

[@daredevildarryl]

Cool

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Hey Darryl, thanks for watching.

[@gedwardlarson5980]

very clever

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks for watching. I appreciate the support.

[@thomasheymans]

Good work Steve, if one would to make this out of metal, I guess the ball and counterweight's weight would habe to be the same? TH

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Possibly so. If the overall weight on the swing arm were too great, you may need a heavier rubber band to power it. I'd love to see one made of metal. That would be awesome. Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@morningcrafts]

Very great Idea l like your video.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks a lot!

[@leslieb6881]

Good job! Clever!

[@VarnishSpar]

Great video and project. I really enjoy your animation sequences. Is the sound on video distorted on purpose or is it a result of compression or perhaps my PC is dying?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Gary Scurlock , you seem to have your settings so that people cannot reply to your comments. You might want to change that. To address your question: I've sped up the vocal tracks on most of the video; The distortion you're hearing is my stuttering and stammering which - along with an attempt to make this fit within a reasonable time frame - is why I generally speed up the talking in my videos. Plus, it adds a little character and distinctive quality (for better or worse).

[@afpwebworks]

+Steve French Steve, I'd forget about speeding up the vocal track if i were you. I"m a broadcaster, and I worried a lot about my own stammering and hesitations when I started my own radio shows. I tried to edit the stammering out and it only made things worse. My advice is to leave your vocal track as recorded. The result will be better, I think. The subject matter and the video is excellent, and suffers in a minor way from the jerky nature of the commentary.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

+Mike K Thank you very much for your feedback. The reasoning for my speeding up the video segments isn't because of my stuttering; I weed out a lot of that in my editing. But I weed the stuttering and stammering out in entire takes (or at least large chunks of various takes). The speeding up of the video (and, by extension, the vocal tracks) is mainly for the purposes of attenuating the overall video run time. Frankly though, I think you'll find the real time recordings to be even more painful to listen on. The jerkiness doesn't go away in real time. But the pauses do increase in duration. The stammering will be there at any speed. That's the way I actually said the stuff. It is NOT an artifact of editing. I don't bother editing down to the word to eliminate individual stammers (you may be under the assumption that I am). These are the best of the many takes I recorded. Sometimes it's better than others. The fact seems to be, however, that people generally don't like to watch videos that exceed about 7 minutes. And really, 5 minutes is pushing it. People are also less likely to watch multi-part videos. So it's all about fighting to get the most views and highest average watch time for a given video. The speech issue is something people will either accept or be highly annoyed by. Hopefully the content will rise above my shortcomings for those willing to give my videos a chance. I really do appreciate your feedback and the chance to respond. Others may have the same questions/points and may appreciate that it was addressed. And I like knowing how my videos are being perceived by others and where exactly they find weaknesses in the presentation. It allows me to keep improving what I do. Thank you for watching!

[@dogwoodtales]

This is really kewl! I like these fun projects you post. I think I'll make a few myself.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I'm glad you enjoy. I do try to post projects that are a little different from the norm. Not that I won't ever post some more common styles of projects. But it's the oddball things that excite me the most. I hope you do make some of these. People really do find them quite stimulating.

[@nic590]

sempre surpreendente

[@ManCrafting]

This was a great little project. Love all the stop motion and Tom Foolery. People still say that right?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Only the cool people still say that! Thanks for watching, Sir.

[@CarlJacobson]

That's awesome! great project.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks, Carl!

[@ilskr12]

חמוד

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you for watching, ישראל קרמר‬‎

[@田之上光雄]

Carl Jacobson p

[@layki1272]

Super

[@Mauroiltornitore]

Great, the video is very interesting and funny. Bravo, Steve!!!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you very much, Mauro!

[@jeremiasduarte4822]

Hello, Thanks for your nice device. What is the objective of it? Can you say me if the cord with the ball is elastic?

[@brandondblaine]

That is great

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I'm glad you're here, Brandon. Thank you.

[@brandondblaine]

Good stuff. I even started uploading my own.

[@ampb12]

very cool breh!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks, Austin!

[@filbert311]

Well worth the sub!

[@NeniomFood]

6:27 I actually subscribed. If the wooden little man tells me to subscribe, I must do it.

[@robertlangley258]

Jorge Andrés Oh Jesse, I hope you don’t listen to the “Slenderman” crap, next thing you know you’ll be bent over a prison cafeteria table with a huge man behind you whom you think is named Mr. Ben Dover.

[@michaell7877]

Love ur vids steve. The sound affects on your voice is a little hard for me to understand. Keep up the great work!

[@AntonioRamirez-bt7sz]

Realmente sorprendente, gracias por compartir, intento acceder para bajar los planos, pero,,, dice que no existe la información, me puede decir por favor como puedo obtener los planos, gracias nuevamente.

[@tomellis487]

Hat's the way to do it.

[@CosmasBauer]

That is really cool! Great vid!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you for being here, Cosmas B!

[@stowescreativecorner3612]

Hi, I wanted to make this project but the link doesn't work? Love the video style

[@jasonmccabe5915]

Does it change direction, or does it just keep going in the same direction until it completely unwinds the rubber band?

[@robertlangley258]

Jason McCabe Ummmm....a, did you watch the video?

[@monkwerks]

Great project! Would painting them cause any issues, do you think?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thanks. I doubt painting would cause any issues at all. It would sure look nicer.

[@عباسالسباع]

Good

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

+Abbas alsbas Thank you for watching!

[@robertlangley258]

Abbas alsbas Are you a man-nun?

[@mauriciomarchantceledon4270]

Steve te quedo genial este proyecto muy original y entretenido. saludos desde chile, me gustaron los gorros. chaoooo.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

mauricio marchant celedon Thank you for watching! That hats were a goofy, silly touch. I'm glad they were amusing.

[@AndreaArzensek]

That is a great project. I have 2 questions :) Why did you make so many? Big family? :) and how long does it go for (time wise) when you wind it up? Thanks!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Hey, Andrea, those are some great questions. I made so many because I'm selling them. I don't always show it but I make a lot of my smaller items in bulk; it makes it easy to stock up without spending a lot of extra time. For example, excluding the time it took to record the video, I probably made the batch of 40 in about or less than the amount of time it would have taken to make 8 from start to finish. Obviously, when making only 1 you can do skip making the jigs and setting up the dado stack on the table saw, etc... But, in bulk, those steps save a LOT of time and effort and allow you to be much more consistent. I've had them run for 10 minutes or more with fairly fresh bands and a lot of winding. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@anonymoustraveller2254]

good job.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you for watching.

[@slimbarker102]

haha i like the head gear

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Hah, thanks for watching.

[@EvenStevensss]

Steve great vids....who cares about the stuttering etc b.c like you said it gives the vids character....BTW. ..love the hats...masks etc...!

[@marcosmoura7618]

Preciso saber o seguinte: Com uma carga de corda, que seria nesse caso enrolar o elástico até o limite esse sistema vai se manter até acabar a corda ou os movimentos vão dar nova corda no sistema e vai se tornar infinito?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Sorry, Google isn't translating this very well. I can't understand your question.

[@valentinanisi6232]

anyone knows how to calculate the force exerted by the rubber bands?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Just use a spring scale, like one used to weight fish.

[@arjunhalvadiya5581]

ooooh it mean you think you are more then smarter to this person 😃😃😃

[@GeneKim2314]

ok but where do i buy one i dont have a wood workshop

[@ItSeemsDark]

wonderful project steve, my little nephew will go crazy as soon she'll see it ... I hope i can make him this weekend :) PS: I really like your helmet, I was wondering if it can be used even to ride a motorcycle or if it is specific for the wood working: D

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Cool. Let me know how it turns out. I hope the plans I linked to are useful to you. Obviously, it's a simple project. But I thought my written shop notes (jumbled as they may be) might save others the trouble of figuring out dimensions and so on.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Yes, all of the headgear in this video - even that worn by Woody and his little buddy - are designed specifically for woodworking. They don't offer any protection (or even visibility, in some cases) but they do make you look stylish when filming yourself doing woodworking. I think you'll agree that looking cool is what matters most.

[@ItSeemsDark]

LOL they are amazing in did

[@Illanril]

Great Video. Love the project, I'll have to give it a try. One small question, are you getting professinal help? :)

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Welcome and thank you! Sorry for my delay in responding to you. I've been away from Internet access for a few days. No, not getting the mental help I so obviously need! But I've been saving my pennies.

[@gpuguy]

The plan is missing in the link. Could you please look into this?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

The link is working OK for me. It goes to a Photobucket account where you can save the pages. I think there's 5 or 7 pages or so with all the information. Please try again. If you still cannot get it to work send me your email address to [e-mail] and I'll send them to you. Thank you very much for watching. And for letting me know you had issues with the link.

[@alcidesdossantosfreitas7903]

Hey, the link for plan is dead ... is it possible to obtain the plan ?

[@brw3079]

You da man!

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Thank you for watching, Brian. I appreciate the support!

[@robertlangley258]

I personally would ditch the hat routine and just cut a loud fart every now and then to break up the monotony, keeping a straight face and not allowing the two veins in your forehead to bulge throughout the passing of the fart! Just an idea.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Hah! I appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching.

[@pichurro2795]

Hello, do you sell it? Regards

[@edtau2804]

Do you still have any more of these for sale? Thanks

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Yes I do. If you're interested, please email me. [e-mail]

[@johncarey4186]

Why I can't just buy one on eBay? I don't do woodworking

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I had some for sale on my ETSY page. I need to get some more on there.

[@johncarey4186]

Please give me the link to the exact page so I can go right there and buy one. They are awesome!

[@mmeyer-ec3dl]

you have the link to buy the kit ? thank you

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Sorry, not yet. But I will have them in my ETSY shop sometime this month. www.etsy.com/shop/WoodStuffSteve?ref=hdr_shop_menu

[@fdc313]

are you still selling them?

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I did have some on my ETSY store. But haven't had a chance to add more lately. Sorry.

[@richardentwistle8980]

Great videoTurned on to your site by Bob - rjb penDid subscribe.Can you tell me how to get plan to make one for grandson.Thanks for interesting stuff. Rich

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I appreciate your being here. There should be a link in the description to download the patterns.

[@mapo1288]

Hägar the Horrible. hehe ;)

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

+Ma po Haha, great comic strip. I don't know what possessed me to do the hats thing, but I'm glad I did. There's enough serious videos out there. Sometimes it's fun to be silly and do the unexpected for my own amusement. And hopefully others find it amusing as well. If not, oh well; The cool project is the real draw. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@MrBrymstond]

I got some morning wood for you to chew on.

[@vidalzq]

,

[@mapo5976]

Hägar the Horrible ......

[@rm42749]

Stupid hats!

[@robertlangley258]

bob Last HEY! Don’t blame the hats!