UGears Globe

When you're looking for the ideal present for adventure-craving loved ones, you want to get them everything. While that's not realistic, why not get them a model of everything with the UGears Globe? This mechanical model of the earth is the ideal gift for anyone who loves puzzles and travel. This model features a wooden globe on a platform which conceals a rubber-band motor. Thanks to the motor, you can wind up your 3D globus puzzle by moving a lever and let it go to watch the globe spin around. As the earth moves, don't just look at the rotating continents, observe the gears sliding past each other as the motor runs. If you've never constructed a model before, don't worry. The directions are straightforward enough that anyone over 14 should be able to complete the globus. Still, assembling more than 180 parts into a globe should keep you busy for a few afternoons. When you open your UGears globe for the first time, start by punching out the pieces from their boards. They should pop out immediately, but if you're having trouble, use a knife or another sharp object. To avoid bending the pieces, push on the edges, not the center. Bent, ripped or furrowed pieces are more likely to get stuck, so if you break a piece, contact customer service for a replacement. Once all the pieces are ready, it's time to gather your materials and put them together. You shouldn't need anything besides what comes in your package, which includes toothpicks for your axes and rubber bands for your motor. However, if you're worried about gears sticking, rub candle wax onto the motor's parts or sand down their rough edges before assembling them. Now that you've completed your rotating globe, you have the option of painting it. The globus is wooden and its colors are brown and silver-white. This material does accept watercolors, but unless you're particularly artistic, you'll probably prefer the sleek original look.