UGEARSMechanical Models 3-D Wooden Puzzle - Mechanical Hurdy-Gurdy Musical Instrument

I have been interested in some of these wooden models and have seen them around a while. This was my first project and then I realized afterwards that it seems like it's one of the more challenging ones they make. That said, I didn't run into any major issues, just took it slow and steady and followed all the directions. This took over 10+ hours to complete over the course of a week.Some tips on getting started if you're new:1) You will want an x-acto knife or hobby knife for this. The model comes in about 8 large sheets of wood, and while I never needed the knife to "cut out" pieces (some people say they did), I did use the knife quite a bit to shave off bits of wood "nubs" where it was attached to the sheet, and that saved time vs. sanding them down forever.2) Sand where it says to sand. Wax where it says to wax. Follow every instruction in every place it says to follow it. Take your time, you may spend quite a bit of this project waxing and sanding components, and it will pay off perfectly. If you skip it, gears may have a hard time making a good connection, or will be uneven and that will affect how they work. Most things should turn quite freely. The wax is just a small candle, any candle will do if you want to use something else. I ended up using almost the entire candle that it came with by the end of the project.3) I popped out all of the largest pieces that looked like they made up the body, and then used some cherry danish oil on them to give them a redder finish. The end result was a beautiful two-tone effect, even though I only oiled 5 pieces. The wood can definitely be painted or stained, but you're going to want to do that and let it dry before attempting to put it together. The pieces are too delicate after building it to think about painting after the fact.4) There are quite a few pieces that will take solid pressure to pop or connect together, but nothing should ever need to be slammed or forced in, that's how you'll break something. The project actually comes with a very small wooden hammer, and it's the first thing they'll have you make. The hammer looks like a joke or a toy, it's not. Don't ever use a real hammer, use the one they give you. Often you just need a few quick taps to jar something loose or get it to pop into place. I ended up breaking only one gear (one of the last ones that controls the string winders) but luckily the kit contains extra's of dozens of pieces, so there was a spare identical gear that I was able to use instead. I also broke one of the larger pieces that connect the front and back of the body, but I was able to use a little wood glue on it and you'll never be able to tell it was cracked. So the advice is don't ever force anything, but also, don't sweat it too hard if something breaks. The manufacturer is also good about contacting them for spare parts, so I've heard.5) This is a model and a toy, not a real instrument. While it's certainly playable, it doesn't sound good. It's hard to really get a good tuning on it, because the sound quality is poor. I had half a mind to try to put some real strings on it but haven't actually gotten around to doing it. If you try that at all, get strings for a classical guitar, don't use guitar or violin strings because those are steel and wound and will probably damage the wheel and not produce the sound you want. Ideally buy 2 of the smallest or 2nd smallest classic guitar strings as a matched pair. Some good quality rosin may also be helpful, as the rosin it comes with looked pretty bad.All in all, this is a great conversation piece that I display on a shelf along with other obscure instruments. The Hurdy Gurdy was actually the definitive liturgical (church music) instrument before the pipe organ took over completely. In the middle ages, there were hurdy gurdy's so large that they took 2 people to operate, one person to turn the wheel and another to control the buttons. This is a neat piece of history and a stylish project that you'll have fun with.

This mechanical puzzle is very well made. The parts are precisely cut (I assume with a laser) and fit together snugly, as one would hope. The wood is a 3 layer plywood so, it is pretty strong. Many of the parts - especially the small ones, which potentially could easily be broken or lost (although I didn't have a problem) - came with spares. The manufacturer indicates that no glue is needed and that was true except for one of the last pieces. It was very small piece and there were quite a few of them. The last three, which included the 2 spares were just a tiny bit too small so would not fit snugly. I ended up adding a spot of clear glue and all was fine. The kit comes with 2 tools. One is a mallet that you create right off the bat. Good practice and very useful for tapping some pieces into place. The other tool is pokey kind of thing which is handy for popping some of the smaller pieces out of the wood panel. The only other tool you really might need is an Exacto knife to cut the tiny slivers of wood holding some pieces in the panel. This will help prevent damage to some of the more skinny pieces. The instructions are all picture based and easy to follow. I liked that they showed some things from different angles and they always gave you a "landmark" so you knew if you had the puzzle lined up with the photo. The only words were at the beginning to explain certain symbols used throughout the instruction book. BTW - the instruction book does include some songs to play at the end as yes, this is a working instrument!The hardest thing was to tie the strings into place - especially the ones requiring a square knot (located in the neck of the instrument). You need more slack in the string BEFORE it goes into the tiny holes (this will make more sense when you go to make it).You will need to tune the Hurdy Gurdy. The instruction book points you to the Ugears website where there are some nice videos. You will need to find an app for phone or other mobile device to use when tuning. I found that one that has some sort of gauge worked best. Mine was a free one.Lastly, if you are thinking you might decorate this thing (although it does have a certain charm without any added decorations), then do it before you construct it, taking into consideration how this thing will go together so as not to mess up the fit. I didn't think about is until after I was done. Silly me.Now, you might be wondering if this thing actually does play. YES! it does! Way cool!In summary, I had a grand time putting this together and plan to attempt another design in the near future. I might even make another Hurdy Gurdy!

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So this kit is very detailed, has many small parts, and will need exacting attention to detail during assembly. Sanding and waxing parts is not optional. I also would recommend against trying to "finish" any of the parts as you will likely only destroy their usability, and or glue moving parts together so it will not work. With that said, 5 hours all in, and using a chisel to true up the "wheel" I have an instrument that actually does play music. Fine tuning this toy isn't really possible, so don't have any ideas of joining a jam session.The finished project really does look good, and will definitely start conversations when anyone see it. And you'll have lots to talk about the experiences you had putting it together and the first time you managed to play a tune on it - and the likely will make you want to pick it up and give it a good cranking. ;)

Great value for money, sturdy, instructions easy to use, first week in , not got anywhere fast yet, will preserve

Die Qualität des Bausatzes ist nur gut. Die Anleitung ist ebenso gut und verständlich. Das Modell ist sehr gut durchdacht und das bauen macht riesig Spaß. Sehr empfehlenswert!

Qualità generale eccellente, la confezione si presenta molto bene, taglio laser di precisione, istruzioni dettagliate.Divertente da montare, prestando sempre cura e attenzione per staccare i pezzi senza rompere nulla. Al termine piena soddisfazione. Comprerò sicuramente altri kit di questo produttore.