Found your forum regarding the orrery build, and thought that you'd perhaps welcome some comments from a UK based subscriber....
We're on the home stretch now, with issue 48 just about to arrive in the next few days. Don't know if it's the same over there, but ours tend to usually be delivered in 4's, so whether Eaglemoss will leave us dangling a month for the final single issue or if we'll get 5 this time round, I don't know!
Having (quickly) flicked through a few of your forum pages, it seems as though a few of you have experienced the same problems as we have - one which I spotted was the earth/moon gear problem.
There were various "solutions" to this, too many to list in this (first) post.... I'm not sure that I'm allowed to put another forum address on here - I don't want to get a ban on Post #1! - but suggestions/answers can be found on the forum based on a certain world-famous TV programme, on the major UK TV channel, presented by an illustrious, knighted chap.
Need I say more?!
(He also endorsed the orrery at the beginning as well, if you're still stuck!)
What you might also come across (later in the series) is a bit of a headache regarding the weightier planets/longer support arms. The problem seems to be that the collar hole/grub screw arrangement isn't "strong" enough to support the arm to stay at right-angles to the body/main column. In bad cases, the arm droops enough to snag on the lower gear......
(To give this some meaning - and I think you'll be up to this by now - take magazine 12, page 4 as an example. Support arm 05 drops/droops enough to rest on/catch the top of part 52)
It seems to be a concern with Saturn and Jupiter particularly, so perhaps by the time you're due to receive those, some proper solution will have been found, but in the meantime, again there are suggestions on the forum (not!) mentioned above.
Good luck with it - and to the doubting Thomas's out there, yes, it does look fantastic!
I have just come back to this thread after a long while,I read through the whole five pages
I am sorry I didn't subscribe to the magthe Orrery looks great
Well done everybody who is building one I am jealous
Nice! I'm only up to Mars. No Earth/Moon gear problems ... the only issue I've had are some of the grub screws are a bit mutilated and needed replacing. This thing is going to be huge when complete.
Thanks indeed Colin,
I am up to Ceres, already getting comments about how terrific it looks and how sorry they never started. In fact if any are interested seems you can start even now as two others I know have this last fortnight. Just contact your local newsagent. You will have to fork out nearly $300 up front to get to issue 20 but it can be done.
From reading Colins clues you can easily find the forum of Sir Caldwell-Moore's TV series with the same name that started in 1958 (the longest running show in the world with the same presenter).
There is some wonderful advice on there with more than 400 posts on this topic from people who have been where we are going and solved most issues along the way. I am particularly looking forward to our next issue with the planet Jupiter. Many have commented that the Great Red Spot looks like a pair of lips and they have tidied this up this with a red texta pen. Wonder if it has been fixed since the UK got theirs?
Seems the Earth/Moon gear problem some were having may come down to overtightening the grub screw that locks the Earth support arm. Many have commented that loosening off the grub screw and /or lifting the plastic bush that the vertical Earth support sits in (by up to 1mm) helps.
PeterM
Nice! I'm only up to Mars. No Earth/Moon gear problems ... the only issue I've had are some of the grub screws are a bit mutilated and needed replacing.
Assuming it follows the same UK pattern, one of your deliveries will have spares, not only grubs but all screw sizes as well. No warning or explanation, just included! Have to say I've not had any duff ones personally, but I have had a gear collar where the hole hasn't quite reached the inner side, so of course the grub didn't quite reach as far as it should....something to watch out for.
In fact I now screw a steel M3 bolt through first, just to check the thread....
Quote:
Originally Posted by goober
This thing is going to be huge when complete.
Ah...how well I remember my wife uttering those very words.... [Oh....sorry....I see what you mean, now....]
Yup, it's a biggie. If you wanted it to revolve in a glass/perspex case, you're looking at 2' x 2' : the sun centre to Eris measures just over 11".
Unsure about the height yet - currently 11", but still got motor housing - 2"? - plus legs - 3"? - to go.....
Will come back to you about that....
Completely off topic, so forgive me : we've been watching the horrific scenes from Victoria on the news over here.
We can't even begin to comprehend the anguish that you folk must be feeling, especially with the extra suspicion that some of the problems are apparently courtesy of the hand of man...
Our hearts go out to you.
That said, if there's one thing that Aussies are renowned for, it's spirit.
Those towns and homes will grow again - there's nothing so certain.
Keep safe...
Thanks Coz for that nice bit of info. Oh and by the way to IIS from the UK Your orrery looks awsome i cant wait to get to that stage i just picked up issue 20 so this weekend i can add Ceres to it It looks mighty fine i tell ya and OMG the weight in the thing i wonder how much the motor weighs cause once that comes along its not going to be something that gets moved very often Will post some more update pics soon
I have just come back to this thread after a long while,I read through the whole five pages
I am sorry I didn't subscribe to the magthe Orrery looks great
Well done everybody who is building one I am jealous
Go for it Ron it does look awsome so far it has cost me $289 up to ISSUE 20 woah sounds like a lot of money now ive added that up but when its paid off weekly i guess you dont notice it and its something my son and I look forward to picking up every Wednesday
Which frankly looks a mite ridiculous, being virtually the same diameter as the support arm! (Not much they can do, I appreciate!)
The same applies to Pluto and Eris, of course, and if anything they look sillier because they're the outer pair.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteM
From reading Colins clues you can easily find the forum of Sir Caldwell-Moore's TV series with the same name that started in 1958 (the longest running show in the world with the same presenter)........
Well....I didn't know that! See? Learn something every day!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterM
......Jupiter. Many have commented that the Great Red Spot looks like a pair of lips and they have tidied this up this with a red texta pen. Wonder if it has been fixed since the UK got theirs?
Possibly - I'll try and find out for you. Yes, the GRS has caused some.....er....amusement.
They've certainly "replaced" Uranus and Neptune recently because of painting problems. N lots better, but the jury's still out about U. In our (UK) case, we have to request the replacements - they will not "just" be sent out to subscribers as a matter of course.
If Eaglemoss have made one mistake (in my opinion - but who am I?!), it's that they haven't made their own forum, where upgrades/official news could be released.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterM
Seems the Earth/Moon gear problem some were having may come down to overtightening the grub screw that locks the Earth support arm. Many have commented that loosening off the grub screw and /or lifting the plastic bush that the vertical Earth support sits in (by up to 1mm) helps.
Didn't have to do either in my case, pleased to say. I've actually taken mine to pieces (not totally!) on two occasions (mainly to get rid of sticky residue that I missed the first time round) and noticed something.....Again, let's zero in, and take mag 12, page 4 for specifics.
The further down the column you go, there seems to be a certain amount of play concerning part 50 on the main column.
By this point, you'll be building "upside down" - don't forget to remove the planets first! - cradling the sun in whichever hand palm. Once part 50 is slid on and (now) down, it's seems normal to press the column end of 50 before tightening the M3G grub to hold it in place. That's where the play is....
Sometimes you have to press, sometimes you don't. The conclusion I've come to is - try and line up the top surface of gear 52 with the one it meshes with, i.e. in this case, gear 54. If it needs fiddling with to achieve a flush match, fiddle. It it sites itself there naturally, fine...so be it. Be aware though, the "level" can alter as you tighten the grub....
In Eaglemosses defence, I have to say that I've not had any build problems personally, apart from a couple of hiccups which have been my own fault.
That said, I'm still a little concerned about this planet arm "droop"....no doubt tons more about this at a later date!
(Sorry! I've just realised that I've been rambling a bit!)
Thanks for all that info Colin
Eaglesmoss have obviously hit on a winner with Build A Model Solar System and Earth Moon Sun Orbiter will add nicely to the collection. That said, I can feel the wallet taking one heck of a hit over the next 18 months.
PeterM
....and Earth Moon Sun Orbiter will add nicely to the collection. That said, I can feel the wallet taking one heck of a hit over the next 18 months.
PeterM
Get thee hence, Satan!
[Thinks : if I vacuum around a bit, make sure I do the washing up and fix the flex on the iron, do you think it's worth asking my beloved? I might even smile at her mother?
Hmmm....Nah.....that would be going too far....]
[Thinks : if I vacuum around a bit, make sure I do the washing up and fix the flex on the iron, do you think it's worth asking my beloved? I might even smile at her mother?
Hmmm....Nah.....that would be going too far....]
Cool that Earth Moon Sun Orbiter looks good too, im gonna have to start that one also they will look great sitting in the same room as each other
the Orrery looks great
to IIS from the UK 
woah sounds like a lot of money now ive added that up 
but when its paid off weekly i guess you dont notice it 
