Mechanical Calculator

This wooden machine uses only gears to do arithmetic. It is literal number crunching. With a very satisfying few clicks of the mechanism you can add, subtract, multiply and divide. Available as a kit or fully assembled below.

Download the laser cutting files here. 

It comes with illustrated instructions as well as an assembly video below to follow along with 

Build Time: 1–2 hours

Age: 8+

Materials: Precision laser-cut wood

Concepts Demonstrated:

• Mechanical computation

• Place value arithmetic

• Carry mechanism 

• Designed and manufactured in Australia 

Mechanical Computing Before Electronics 

Before electronic calculators existed, arithmetic was performed using ingenious mechanical devices made from gears and number wheels. These machines automated the carrying of digits so that complex calculations could be performed quickly and reliably.

This kit recreates those principles in a simple, visible mechanism inspired by early pocket adding machines. As you operate the calculator you can see how place-value arithmetic and carry operations work mechanically.