Build a Working Solar System from Wood — The JoBolt Mechanical Orrery

An orrery is a mechanical model of the solar system. The planets orbit the sun in their correct relative positions, driven by a system of gears, and the whole thing moves when you turn a crank. They've been made since the early 1700s — originally in brass and silver, for kings and scientists. The JoBolt Mechanical Orrery is one you build yourself, from 316 laser-cut wooden pieces, in about seven hours.

When it's done, it sits on your desk at 33 × 32 × 35 cm and it moves. Turn the hand crank and the planets orbit. It's the kind of object that makes people stop mid-conversation.

What You're Building

The orrery is a fully rotatable mechanical model — hand-crank driven, with each planet moving in its correct relative orbit around the sun. The gear system is intricate and satisfying: you can see exactly how the mechanism works as you build it, and watching it come together is half the appeal.

Every piece is laser-cut from FSC-certified basswood — smooth, splinter-free, and precise. The snap-fit design means no glue is needed. The illustrated English guide walks you through the build in stages, and the finished model is substantial enough to be a genuine statement piece in any room.

The Build

316 pieces across roughly seven hours. This is the longest build in the JoBolt wooden puzzle range, and it earns that time. The assembly guide is clear and well-structured — you work through the base and central sun first, then the gear mechanism, then the planetary arms and spheres, building outward from the centre.

It's the kind of project you settle into over a weekend. Focused, absorbing, and genuinely rewarding at every stage. One tip: once it's assembled, rub a little candle wax on the gear teeth. It makes the whole mechanism run noticeably smoother.

Who Is It For?

• Space and astronomy enthusiasts — a working mechanical model of the solar system is a different kind of appreciation for the cosmos
• People who like making things — this is the most ambitious wooden puzzle kit we stock, and it shows
• Anyone who wants a serious desk piece — at 33 × 32 × 35 cm, this commands a space. It doesn't sit quietly in the corner.
• Gift buyers looking for something genuinely impressive — birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day, graduation — this is the kind of gift people remember
• Ages 14 and above — though younger builders can tackle it with adult supervision

When It Moves

Turn the hand crank and the planets orbit. Mercury moves fastest, the outer planets slower — just as they do in reality. The gear ratios are calibrated to reflect the relative orbital periods, so what you're looking at isn't just decorative. It's a working mechanical representation of how the solar system actually behaves.

That's the thing about an orrery. It's not just a model. It's an explanation.

What's in the Box

• 316 laser-cut FSC-certified basswood pieces
• Full step-by-step illustrated assembly guide (English)
• Sandpaper finishing sheet

Quick Specs

• Pieces: 316 laser-cut basswood
• Assembled size: 33 × 32 × 35 cm
• Package size: 47 × 30.7 × 6.85 cm
• Weight: 2,000 g
• Assembly time: approx. 7 hours
• Recommended age: 14+
• Certifications: EN71, CE, FSC, FCC
• No glue required

The JoBolt Mechanical Orrery is £119.99 with free UK delivery. If you want the most impressive wooden model kit we make — or a gift that genuinely stops people in their tracks — this is it.