Ask MAKE is a monthly column where we answer your questions. Send your vexing conundrums on any aspect of making to askmake@makezine.com. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll scare up somebody who does.
On the Google+ Make: Forum Jesse Acosta asks:
Currently I am trying to build a zoetrope, but at a larger scale. The “bucket” I built is 24″ in diameter, I’d like to have larger and more detailed frames for the zoetrope animation strips. But my snag is the crank, gears, and belt. I have no idea where to find suitable parts. I’ve seen some pulleys, and even some hand cranks for windows, but not really anything that I can imagine would benefit me. Any suggestions for parts to look for, or even a website to find parts?
My plan is to enter the zoetrope in an upcoming art show, and illustrate several strips that attendees could change out at their viewing leisure.
I think half my problem is that I’m an artist, and not much of a Maker as I’d like to be.
Dear Jesse,
Lucky for you, there is an online store that is perfect for your application. Check out McMaster-Carr. They have almost everything you’ll need to build the drivetrain for your zoetrope. For an online store that specializes in parts, they have one of the most organized and intuitive interfaces around. Check out the pages for pulleys, belts, chains, sprockets, shaft couplings, shaft collars, and crank handles.
Everything on the site is organized by size and type, making it easy to find parts that match. When I was first building the Magnetotron, I had never assembled any linkages myself. I ordered the parts from McMaster and it worked on the first shot.
Pulleys and belts are generally less expensive, but chains and sprockets are much less prone to slippage, and are what I’d recommend. An easy way to mount your drivetrain is to attach one sprocket directly to the zoetrope, make a loop of chain that’s approximately the length you want, then mock up the second sprocket before mounting it on your substrate. Shaft couplings link shafts together, shaft collars hold them in place.
To choose which gears to purchase, check out this bicycle gear ratio calculator. Find out at what speed users are generally going to turn the crank, and what speed is optimum for the zoetrope to function effectively. Set the wheel size to 24″ (the width of your zoetrope) and season to taste.
Thanks for reaching out for help on your project, and I hope it goes well. If any readers have info they’d like to add, please do so in the comments.
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