This fascinating mechanism converts rotary motion to reciprocating motion in two axis.

Notice that the handle traces out an ellipse rather than a circle. A similar mechanism is used in ellipse drawing tools.

One of the delights of making a living running a web site and designing card models are the letters and emails we receive. We were delighted, then, when we received a small packet containing this intriguing model.

Using corrugated card and toy cars Louise Hart made this wonderful mechanism and sent it to us with a letter and a series of photographs illustrating how it works.

We got hold of this wooden version of the same mechanism from Tumbleweed, a wonderful shop in Paris.

Inspired, we've added this page to our web site. Thanks Louise, you made our day!