Building a Steampunk Strandbeest: Assembly and Aesthetic Focus

The Fabrication Process: How I Made My Artifact

Step 1: Research and Exploration

• I first immersed myself in the world of knockoff Strandbeests looking at how hobbyists had adapted them for 3D printing.

• I knew from the start I didn’t want a minimalistic design. I wanted something that showed visible mechanics with a detailed, steampunk flavor.

Step 2: Selecting and Modifying the Design

• I browsed websites like Thingiverse, Printables, and Cults3D and found a model by Engineezy that matched my vision: a small, gear-driven Strandbeest with lots of exposed mechanical elements.

• I downloaded the STL files, and sorted them in accordance to color. So it would make it easier to figure out the paint scheme to make my aesthetic obtainable.

Step 3: Materials and Tools Acquisition

• I sourced the following materials:

  • Filament: White PLA so basically all parts would be primed before I painted them

  • Paint: Metallic spray paints (brown, gold/brass, gunmetal)

  • WD40: I used a lot of this in order to make the linkages move smoothly especially after painting them.

  • Masking Tape: This was used to cover important joints so that the paint would not impact the motion

• I already had access to a Bambu Labs P1P and the other basic hand tools needed.

Step 4: 3D Printing

• Over several days, I printed the parts in batches:

  • I tried to print all the large stationary parts first, those were the ones that I used brown spray paint on.

  • Gears and the propeller were next which I spray painted gold

  • Lastly linkages which were all painted black because I loved the look of the metallic paint
  • Another part I forgot to mention was all the U-clips which were originally going to be random colors but I chose to make them all gold last minute.

• Failed prints were inevitable so I did them all in one batch. Those parts were mainly the U-Clips, major shafts, and a few of the linkages.

Image 2: Build Plate in Bambu Studio

Step 5: Assembly (Part 1 – Modules)
I began assembling the individual modules. These are the leg units and hold the beest up. After I assembled each one I could ensure they moved freely.

This modular strategy made it easier to troubleshoot small subassemblies before committing to the full build.

Key Focus:

Ensuring smooth rotation at all pivot points

Keeping tolerances tight but not binding

Image 3: Individual leg modules

Step 6: Assembly (Part 2 – Stacking and Linking)
Once modules were completed, I stacked and linked them together:

One of the hardest challenges was to offset every other module by 120 degrees. This was to ensure that there at least half the legs on the ground at all time. There were markers for this but I painted over them and they were hard to see.

Axles and connecting rods were added progressively.

About halfway through, I paused to test the collective motion and ensure no locking occurred.

Image 4: Halfway through the build

Step 7: Final Touches and Documentation
After full assembly, I touched up scratches and paint wear from assembly.

I took final documentation photos showing:

Full assembled sculpture

Detailed shots of linkage mechanisms

Surface textures showing steampunk finishes

I kept additional notes for possible future upgrades, such as adding a motor or better surface treatments.