jim_smits
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Just to tease you all, the next set of parts arrived last night!
I've now been able to add Saturn to the build and as per the real thing it looks awesome. It has also highlighted just how large this build is going to be with another four arms still to go. With that in mind a new set of wider 'feet' were provided to keep the orrery upright. In addition, all the brass grub screws have now been upgraded to steel to avoid any stripping issues when adjusting the arms.
I'll follow up with images tonight / tomorrow morning.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Hi Omega
I was just thinking last night that I'll make sure I make a video and upload it for you all!
Hope you enjoy the updates.
Jim
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
As promised here is the addition of Jupiter to the build. Nice big planet!
Same routine as before, built the sandwich of gears and the support arm and threaded onto the main shaft and tightened the grub screw to attach.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Yes it will include Pluto and Eris. They will move really slowly....!
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Finally added the planet support arm and Ceres. Next step will be Jupiter!
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Construction of the gear support arm.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Not a huge amount to describe as alluded to before as the builds will be very similar for the next few sets of issues.
Built the gear sandwich and mounting support for the planet arm.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Hi all,
Slight delay on the Orrery build; my debit card expired and I so I had to pay Eaglemoss over the phone. They weren't exactly prompt in sending out my magazines.
Anyway, I've finally received this months batch and parts.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Finally the Mars support arm is inserted into the gear sandwich and fixed in place with a grub screw. The finishing touch is to add the moons Phobos and Diemos and Mars itself.
All the brass parts are really starting to add up and the Orrery is starting to get pretty weighty!
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
The second past of the assembly is a gear support arm which transfers power back to the main gear sandwiches. The build will be repeating these two sets of builds for the next few months until all the planets are in place.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Hello all,
Slightly enforced break unfortunately as Eaglemoss couldn't source issue 12 and sent 13,14 & 15. This meant that I couldn't proceed with the build until this week when I finally got issue 12.
Anyway, on with the build!
The first set of parts can be assembled to create a gear sandwich that will form part of the power chain and also provide the mounting point for the Mars arm.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
The two arms are threaded on the main shaft. The lower gear arm is then attached firmly using a grub screw.
Once this is place the earth/moon system can be added. A spindle is threaded into a small gear wheel and inserted into the earth support arm.
Three planets now, and the rotating moon looks the business!
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
The earth support arm is threaded onto the main shaft but it is free turning and must be supported by a second gear arm.
The gear arm is put together with two plastic spindle halves which are used to attach a pair of gear wheels with a screw.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
The next set of magazines have arrive along with the orrery parts.
This group of parts will form the Earth / Moon arm. The plastic spindle is inserted into the earth support arm, and a pair of gar wheels are attached, a smaller 47 tooth gear wheel and a much larger 92 tooth gear wheel, using three screws each.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
The last set of parts contains the gearing for the Earth/Moon system and the Venus arm and planet.
I've shown the construction of the Earth gear arm on its own but in reality it is constructed around the large engraved gear. It was just hard to image and show what was being put together.
Once this was complete, the gears constructed in my earlier post were slid onto the main support by followed by the large gear wheel and its attached earth gear arm. This was then attached to the support post with a grub screw.
Final part was to attach the Venus support arm with a grub screw and insert Venus into the holder.
The mechanism is starting to come together now and nicely shows the differences in orbital speed between Mercury and Venus.
Before anyone asks; no it doesn't take into account the precession of Mercury's orbit due to relativity...
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
The next pack contains another very nicely engraved brass part.
This is a large gear that will provide the ability to rotate the Earth/moon system so that the moon orbits the earth once a 'month'. It is also engraved with two historical planetary positions - the millennium and star of Bethlehem.
As with the other engraved part I have used some black boot polish to pick out the engraved markings to nice effect.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Onto the next section of parts.
This is primarily construction the gear wheels that also mount the Venus arm.
This comprises a brass ring, two gear wheels and a plastic hub. The hub is mounted in the brass ring and fixed with a grub screw. The gear wheels are then mounted into the hub with three screws each.
The assembled part is put aside and will be slid onto the main bar when the next pieces are complete.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Augie - fair enough! I'm still right though
Landlocked - it's £6.99 a week so around £350 overall
bhermann - if you're interested it published by Eaglemoss I think
Brian - not sure if it was the same kit you made but this is made from solid and plated brass and looks excellent so far
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Not wishing to enflame but I agree with the downgrade. Pluto is one of dozens in that same area and isn't even the biggest.....
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
The kit actually includes Ceres between Mars and Jupiter and Pluto and Eris out on the edge. Although it looks as though Pluto does not cross inside Neptunes orbit.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Mercury can now be added to the build.
The support arm is inserted to the main drive gear just below the Sun and fixed in place with a grub screw.
Mercury is then inserted into the top of the support arm.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Hello!
The next lot of parts have arrived and I will be able to update the Orrery to add Mercury and Venus.
First step is to finish off the Venus gear arm.
Firstly, a second gear wheel is attached using a screw and then the gear arm is fixed to the main support with a grub screw.
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Finally part of the gear arm for Venus can be added to the support column. There will be two gear wheels attached but the second will be sent in the next batch. Two interlocking pieces of plastic are used to hold the gears in place with a tapping screw. Attached the first gear and awaiting the second.
The gear arm is currently loose on the support column as, again, the grub screw to attach is sent with the next batch.
Well, that's the first set of parts used and the basic structure is in place. Got to wait a month now for the next parts, but the mechanism should start to come alive then!
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jim_smits got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Mechanical Solar System Build Log
Next stage is adding the drive shaft.
At the top of the shaft is the Sun. This is a brass plate and weighs an impressive amount. The sun simply screws onto the top of the drive shaft. After this the driving gear is slid onto the driveshaft up to the sun and fixed in place with a grub screw. This gear also has a couple of holes for attaching the support for Mercury when it arrives with the next batch.
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