FX,

I totally agree. It is loud. I believe the card does have a battery. When the crank is turned -- even the least bit -- the music starts. It continues to play a moment or two beyond the turning, but not for long. I suspect a timer circuit is in there.

There is resistance when you turn the crank but it's minimal. The crank feels like it is connected to the mechanics that make the cards move, but not to any tiny generator.

I'm reluctant to take mine apart, but if nobody else does it in the coming weeks, I will.

Best,

Dug North

Hi Bavi H,

Oops! That is a typo. My post should have read "move in appropriate ways". I'll fix it. Thanks!

The inside of the party scene card says: "Party like you mean it today!". I don't have the Peanuts one, so I don't know what that one says.

All the Best,

Dug North

Joel,

Thanks for backing me up, man. Solid.

I couldn't find much about the cards online -- even at Hallmark's site. I see from another comment that they have trademarked them as "Spin-a-majigs", but I can't find that anywhere on the card itself. The back of the cards say they are from "Innovations from Hallmark".

There is another very nice card that shows an island scene with hula dancer and ukulele player.

There are also several designs that utilize the little crank for motion, but have no sound unit. They are also worth checking out.

Regards,

Dug North

Did they reuse the molds from the c. 1980 board/electron game called "The Dark Tower"?

Regards,

Dug

Dear #1,

The automaton video was made by Michael and Maria Start in Scotland. They restore vintage automata. You might drop by their site and ask -- automatomania.co.uk.

Let us know if you find out. I'd like to know too!

Regards,

Dug North

Everything old is new again. Hammacher Schlemmer is selling a Motorized Monocycle in their Spring 2008 line.

Regards,

Dug North

Awesome set! You might also like to see these horror-themed animated props. Some of them cost almost $30,000, but they are scary/cool.

Regards,

Dug north

THE OTHER MICHAEL,

I don't know...some may disagree. Many motorized animated scenes are regarded as automata. Take for example the Chinese Magician Automaton performing the "transported lady" act. This piece, recently sold by Skinner Auctioneers, is driven by an electric motor. Many of the famous French automata makers made motorized automata -- often for window displays -- once electric motors became available.

Regards,

Dug North

I ask you: what kid could resist these amazing wood robots by Take-G?

Regards,

Dug North

#13 Agreed, running is the best option. No knife fights in my future. This is strictly for utilitarian purposes. (And to satisfy my obsession for things that serve more than one purpose and have hidden features.)

Regards,

Dug North

LIZZLE,

No...I don't own chaps. I think you have to own a motorcycle or a horse or perform with The Village People to pull that off.

Dug North

OK, OK.... "Looks great" is subjective. They don't have good picture of the scroll engraved version on their site. It really is nice, IMHO.

As mesmerizing as that .GIF is, check out the video on http://www.belt-buckle-knife.com/video.

Now...if I can just find a watch with a retractable garrote my secret agent kit will be complete.

Regards,

Dug North

Submitted for your consideration: my trick top hat with hidden springs, hinges, a four-bar linkage, cable, and hand lever.

Granted, the rubber monster lacks a Victorian feel, but this is the most mechanical top hat I have encountered.

Regards,

Dug North

I've got one of these too. My friends owned one and recruited me to sharpen their kitchen knives. It did such a good job, I got one to sharpen my wood-carving knives.

Sypderco also has ceramic stones for sharpening larger tools and specialized carving tools.

Regards,

Dug North

I always feared the 6-in-1 Unimat was more toy than tool.

If you are serious, you'll want to step-up to the miniature machine tools like those sold by Micro-mark.

Not ready for something that big or expensive? This setup to convert your Dremel into a milling machine looks very well made.

Regards,

Dug North

Check out this animated paper kit you can download, cut out, and assemble to make your very own moving Flying Spaghetti Monster (about half-way down the page on the left.)

Regards,

Dug North

RIBLETS,

This piece -- by the amazing artists at Fourteen Balls Toy Company -- is entitled Spaghetti Eater and has been produced in limited numbers a couple of times.

Best,

Dug North

Paper automata lovers may want to check out the DIY kits at Flying-Pig Paper Animation Kits too!

Regards,

Dug North

I never liked using these for gapping spark plugs, so this is clever repurposing/marketing.

But...if this is for a key chain...I'd opt for a semi-serrated knife, flat AND Phillips screw driver, eyeglass screw driver, and bottle opener.

I am speaking of Swiss Tech Utili-Key.

Regards,

Dug North

This is a time-honored lock bypass method.

I was helping my friends get back into their dorm rooms as freshman at the University of Vermont back in 1988 with this technique. A wise and kindly old sophomore showed me how to join two coat hangers and bend them into the proper shape.

I would wager this technique has probably been around about as long as those ADA compliant lever door handles.

While lock-picking is a fine and subtle art -- when necessity is the order of the day -- never discount a straightforward lock bypass.

Doh! It looks like I spent twice as much as I needed to on this knife.

I received my Toollogic SL Pro and it seems to be a very solid knife. The edge could be sharper. One nice thing about it is there is a bit of room around the Firesteel where one could stuff in a bit of tinder to stay dry. The whistle is high-pitched.

Poster #1 does make a good point.

This could be a nice addition to a travel/job site/install toolkit where you wouldn't typically have all of the specialized tools with you. This seems like a small market, but hey...I want one.

-Dug North

FYI: I just ordered one of these for shipment to the US. I encountered no problem with the order, though it does cost an additional £9.95 -- a small price to pay for the unqualified bad-assness of this tool.