Hallo,

as you know, I'm trying to build a cat marionette. For attaching the legs, I don't want to use screws but I saw a picture (see picture below) where the body has 2 sticks where
they carved a little line in. Anyone familier with this methode who can help me out? What do I have to do to put the leg onto the body and keep it there?
johan

Your picture is from the Puppets In Prague workshop.  Anyone who can afford to go should go, it's great!  The upper leg has a hole drilled into it, but not all the way through.  The dowel goes in the leg hole, then a nail is driven through the upper leg, front to back, that just intersects with the hole.  The part of the nail that intersects with the hole sits in the groove on the dowel attached to the pelvis, holding the leg on but allowing it to rotate around the grove like a track.  I'm pretty sure that the assembly is made possible by measuring and drilling all of the various holes while the leg is still in block form.  Does that make sense?  Have you read Luman Coad's Marionette Sourcebook?  It can answer any questions you have with pictures.

Hallo Abdolos,
thx for the help! I will try this out... I let you know how things work out, with pictures ;o)
johian

Hallo Abdolos,

this morning I could not wait to make the joins as you told me to do.
And yes, it works. Here are some pics of the progres.
Thx for helping me out!
Johan

I have to say it is a very ingenious method for attaching the legs. When you first posted your question Johan I had a similar idea of how it might be done but held of to see if anyone recognized the method. I am glad I did because Abdolos details where a bit easier to do then how I thought it might be done.   I applaud both of you. 

Your picture is from the Puppets In Prague workshop.  Anyone who can afford to go should go, it's great!  The upper leg has a hole drilled into it, but not all the way through.  The dowel goes in the leg hole, then a nail is driven through the upper leg, front to back, that just intersects with the hole.  The part of the nail that intersects with the hole sits in the groove on the dowel attached to the pelvis, holding the leg on but allowing it to rotate around the grove like a track.  I'm pretty sure that the assembly is made possible by measuring and drilling all of the various holes while the leg is still in block form.[/u]  Does that make sense?  Have you read Luman Coad's Marionette Sourcebook?  It can answer any questions you have with pictures.

You will do yourself a big favor by marking and drilling the parts of the puppet while it is still in block form. It is the only way you can get accurate centers, etc. I draw a complete, lifesize drawing of every puppet; then cut the wood blocks for each piece; then drill all the holes you will need for all the joints while the piece has flat sides. In short, draw, saw, drill and then carve or shape the parts.

Hallo Docmic,

thx for your help.
I also made the wholes when every part was in block. The only step I didn't understand was the fitting.
For each puppet I build, I also make a drawing - the puppet in front and even in side view. WHen you start to make a marionette totaly in wood... there will follw a lot of relaxing workinghours. Just me, my tools and my music.
Hope to see also some pics from your work.
Sincerely Johan