The Love Machine – a Mechanical Metaphor.

Download the parts and make you very own Love Machine. Members and Patrons can download the parts for free, thanks for your support! Non-member can join in the fun for £2.50/$3.75

Print out the parts onto thin card. 230gsm / 67lb is about right.

Score all the dotted and dashed lines, cut out the holes then carefully cut out the parts.

Roll up and glue down the various tubes that make the axles. Line up the ends as accurately as possible.

Several of the parts are made from double thickness card. Fold them over and glue them down and let the glue dry completely before cutting them out.

Cut out the various gears.

Fold over and glue the hearts then cut them out.

The crown gear is made from two parts joined together. Fold over the teeth ends and glue them down to make double thickness card.

Join the two parts for the crown gear together.

Gently curve it round and glue it into a circle.

Glue the crown gear as accurately as possible within the thick dashed line on the box top.

Fold in and glue the tabs on the box top to make right angle triangle tubes.

Fold in and glue the tabs to make right angle triangle tubes on the base as well.

Fold the tabs on the sides over to make triangle tubes.

Fold the tabs on the front piece to make triangle tubes.

Fit the the axle into the large gear.

Fit the second axle to the medium gear lining up the end of the centre tabs with the end of the tube.

Thread the axle tube into place as shown.

Join together the sides and the box top.

Glue in the base then fold the box round and glue it closed as shown.

Thread the centre block into position and glue the tabs to the outer wall.

Position the large gear over the hole in the top of the centre block. Thread the axle tube down through the hole in the box top right down and into the centre block.

Fit the medium gear into position as shown.

Fit the front piece over the axle and glue it to the box front.

Assemble the handle in three steps as shown.

Fit the handle to the axle.

Glue the axle stub into the pinion gear and glue the wide tube into position so that it is flush with the bottom of the gear.

Cut two small nicks in the axle tube and glue in the heart.

Make up the three cups and glue them to the rotor side. Note that the centre cup is the other way up from the other two.

Glue on the other rotor side.

Secure the rotor to the vertical shaft. It should just touch the box top but should rotate freely when the box handle is turned.

Glue the two 8mm diameter axles to the end cup of the rotor.

Finish off the model by dropping the heart pinion gears into position over the vertical axle tubes and into the crown gear.

Turn the handle and marvel as the two hearts waltz around each other in perfect love and harmony!