Anybody got plans.......

[Shopgeezer]

So has anybody ever seen plans for a mechanical Orrery? This is a model of the solar system that shows the relationship of the planets as they circle the sun. The photo shows a small one of just the earth and moon as well. These are kits costing $1400. I would love to see a set of plans. Just gears and rods. How hard could it be?

 

[deverett]

These came as weekly kit of parts some 10 years ago. Just written instructions for assembly, no plans as such.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

 

[cds4byu]

Here's a description of the gearing for a number of orreries. It provides the information necessary to build, although it isn't a set of plans.

https://web.archive.org/web/20141221065757/http://www.sis.org.uk/bulletin/94/meccano.pdf

 

[cds4byu]

Here's another:
http://www.zeamon.com/download/ZeamonOrrery.pdf

Perhaps the best page for this orrery is here:
http://zeamon.com/wordpress/?page_id=526

Here's a different one:
http://brassorrery.blogspot.com/

If 3D printing is your thing, here's some information:
https://www.instructables.com/id/8-Planet-Motorized-Orrery-3D-Printed/

And here's a plywood one:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Orrery-a-Mechanical-Solar-System-Model-From-Plywoo/

Looks like there's lots of information.

Carl

 

[Shopgeezer]

The Orrery I showed in the photo is still offered in weekly kits. In this case it is a prize in a magazine subscription drive. Looks like there is lots of info. I will have to take some time and soak through it all thanks to all who contributed the links.