Customer Reviews

Making Animated Whirligigs (Dover Woodworking)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the best of Lunde's series. He is the man who resurrected the whirligig from the ashheap of historical American culture. In the 1970's, Lunde first investigated old whirligigs in New England, researched in the Library of Congress, and just plain hit the woodworking bench to figure out what makes a good whirligig work. Others have tried to copy him, but his whirligigs spin and turn and twist with a freedom and naturalness few can match. His political whirligig creations are snapped up immediately these days, because at 86 years old, there is no telling when he will stop. Simple, straightforward, and detailed, these designs and instructions will put you in the drivers seat for making any design you desire. He is a specialist in devising creative designs, not of the art crowd kind that look great but don't work, but the kind that really move in ways pleasing to all. He is the master of this genre.

I purchased this book because I was looking for some new whirligig plans. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was that and more. The author shows you some good plans, but also gives you enough information to come up with your own designs. If you enjoy making whirligigs and how they work, this book is a good buy

I speak spanish, it is my native language, but this book is easy, I can understand it very good because it has many picture, in my country the Whirligigs are unknown and get hardware for them is very difficult, but thanks to the Anders' book I can build my own devices. This books is very good

I haven't actually made a whirligig yet, but I plan on it. Since I read this book I really believe I can. What I wanted to know, it told me, mainly things you can use to make the mechanical components of a whirligig. I've done woodworking and that part I knew I could do but putting it all together was another matter. This book definitely helped me see how it can be done.

I have seen whirlygigs in movies, and occasionally the simple birds with spinning wings. I wanted to know what sort of materials were needed to make the more involved mechanical devices - such as the man sawing wood. This book did not disappoint. The author provides information on materials to use for reliable service in a device exposed to the elements. This is an excellent place to start.

This is the greatest book ever if you are looking for direction to make a whirlygig. My husband made one and the instructions were clear and concise. There are illustrations and step by step instructions on how to make one.

I've had this book for several months now, and I have had a chance to look it over carefully.
I'm a teacher by training, and I have to say that Mr Lunde could use a lesson or two about organization, the use of an outline, as well as good pictures.
This book is very poorly organized - the author skips around as if he never had an outline or plan.
The result is half-written instructions that rarely contain all the necessary info you'll need to create one of his projects.
Mr. Lunde tends to waste your time with personal stories that aren't relevant to YOUR project at hand.
His instructions are often confusing and contradictory - he refers to different projects often while confusing you as to the project at hand.
His pictures are very poor as well - the hand drawn pictures often have absolutely no information about them - the actual photographs very rarely show you all of the piece - instead showing sections of the project you may or may not need to actually see.
Photographs are expensive to add to books and it is clear that Lunde and his publisher cheaped out -
and left you - the buyer - hanging in mid air with next to no visual reference.
I'm sure Mr. Lunde is a great fellow -
but this is what happens when you let a craftsman - who may or may not be able to write clearly -
write a book.
Wouldn't recommend this book if you need adequate info on making any kind of whirligig.

Lots of detailed diagrams on how to make these cute whirlygigs.

But be careful where you put yours... they will disappear from your front yard if you're not careful!!

its a good book on the subject will help start my ideas on the subject