Comments on: Introducing Wild Gears

By: Catherine Thomas

Catherine Thomas — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 14:50:00 +0000

In reply to Heather. Thank you, I look forward to watching the video. Luckily I have a birthday in just over a month and am hoping that a friend of mine might treat me to the set :)

By: Heather

Heather — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:51:55 +0000

In reply to Catherine Thomas.

Yes, definitely! In fact, I’m currently working on (finishing up) a video of “unboxing” the Compact Gear Set. It can do the main things that are unique about Wild Gears, in a small package. Parallel lines, wheel-within-a-wheel etc. Aaron selected gear numbers that work well together (making patterns with smaller numbers of points because they have common factors) and put it together in a 7×7″ package that you can store in a large baggie. I’m editing what I recorded already, and as I play further with the set, I’m thinking I’ll have to do a follow-up video. Or several.

By: Catherine Thomas

Catherine Thomas — Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:38:44 +0000

I am thinking of purchasing a Wild Gears set. I have several vintage and new Spirograph sets including a Super Spirograph and several odd spin-offs. I’m a bit baffled by the different packages of Wild Gears and am not sure where to start. Would the Compact Set be a good way of dipping my toe in the water, especially as Wild Gears seem to be (justifiably) pricey? Thanks.

By: Heather Holm

Heather Holm — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:15:21 +0000

In reply to Jason. Thanks for the alert! I'll write a blog post about it so subscribers can find out.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:50:33 +0000

I’ve just noticed that Aaron is doing a 2.0 version of the Wild Gears system, and has a Kickstarter campaign that ends in 36 hours. He is making some design improvements to the existing shapes, as well as adding some new ones. See https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/465068187/wild-gears-20-reinventing-the-spirograph before the campaign ends.

By: Heather Holm

Heather Holm — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 17:16:24 +0000

In reply to Rhonda. I have the Combo #1: Full Page Gear Set and Strange Shapes Gear Set, and I'm very happy with my choice. I haven't even come close to exploring the full potential. Thanks for the kudos! Have fun, and feel free to share your work when you're ready!

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 16:43:03 +0000

Hi Heather,
I am thinking of purchasing some Wild Gears, maybe two sheets. Do you have any recommendations as to which ones would make a good starter set? I already have a vintage Spirograph set and love it. Thanks for the great blog, your art is inspiring.

By: Heather Holm

Heather Holm — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 11:15:44 +0000

In reply to Jason. Ideally, if you had the space, you could arrange them like a well-organized carpentry workshop, with each gear hanging on a peg over the outline of its shape. :)

By: Heather Holm

Heather Holm — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 21:21:16 +0000

In reply to Jason.

No bright ideas yet, but it’s been nagging me. I cleaned off my late father’s big old oak desk, and it’s pretty well dedicated to Spirograph and Wild Gears right now. The frames are leaning up against it vertically, ready to use, and the gears are spread out over the table. It would be nice to categorize the wheels somehow – round ones, shaped ones, small ones, big ones. Maybe some big ziplock bags for the big ones, small bags for the small ones, and when in use, a small dish for the teeny ones and donuts. I think I’d want something I can see the gears through. Let me know what you come up with.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 08:15:54 +0000

I have been pondering the best way to store my Wild Gears. First I was considering gluing some cardboard to the back of the acrylic “frames” to make trays out of them for the gears, but then quickly realised that this wouldn’t work as I would need them free to work as the “rings” in a regular spirograph set. At the moment I am leaning towards creating some cardboard envelopes for them, with a heavy card backing layer and a thinner card top layer to help keep everything in place. I was thinking of storing the little donut hole size adjusters in a separate zip-lock bag so that they don’t get lost.

Have you had any bright ideas?