>
> I am thinking 8 flip-flops (the sliding 1's and 0's) and at least 20 logic
banks (clock rods).
>
> Any thoughts on this?
>

you might want to look at information on konrad zuse's z1 computer.
(http://user.cs.tu-berlin.de/~zuse/Konrad_Zuse/en/z1-metal-sheets.html)

it shows another way of doing mechanical logic gates that might be interesing to
you.