ROBOTIME Motorized Wooden Puzzles for Adults - 3D Puzzles for Adults LGC01 Marble Spaceport - Wooden Marble Run Model to Build - Space/STEM/Engineering Gift

Every now and then I need to pull away from my normal work, especially if I get stuck on working through a technical problem (I write software, all day every day). Kits like the Robotime Marble Spaceport are a perfect way for me to meditate yet still have my "technical/problem solving" neurons firing. Ive built a few Robotime/ROKR kits and they are my go-to maker of kits. This kit is well packed and made from thin laser cut wood. There are some additional electronics that make the kit function as well. The instructions are well thought out and very well illustrated. If you take your time and pace yourself, you can put this kit together over 6-20 hours. I built this one over a week in one or two hour sessions while I meditated on a coding problem. Pinball and pachinko machines have always fascinated me so this kit gave me a hands on experience to allow me to understand how such systems work and entertain viewers. It turns out the ROKR built a second similar kit called Marble Night City with even more marble madness AND they worked out a way to connect them together with a small third accessory kit. I plan to get to those next. This kit is perfect for any curious child or curious adult. A little more involved than Lego kits, this kit might require some adult mentoring and supervision if your STEAM-minded younger family member wants to built this. Most middle-school-aged kids can probably make their way through this kit.

It is a wonderful building toy. But not easy. Many, many small parts but the instructions are very clear and easy to follow. The age suggestion of 14+ is correct. I have spent probably 10 hours and am maybe 1/3 finished. One does not use glue, the parts fit together with friction so when you make a mistake you can undue and make right. The kit includes 2 screwdrivers, wax, sandpaper, and a knipper to separate plastic pieces from the tree. There are duplicates of several of the smaller parts which is handy. I love it!

Great insructionsPieces are easily removed from the boardPieces have their number printed on themRverything fits easily

I've made several of these marble runs but this is the first one that had a warped base. I solved this problem by epoxying it a stiffer piece of wood. I had to do that after construction was finished because there were attachments that had to be made on the underside of the base. The most frustrating part of the build was the clear acetate that wrapped around the acceleration spiral. every time I thought I had it, it would spring off. It wasn't till disregarded to instructions and started in the middle that I succeeded. A motor was included but I didn't bother with it because it uses button batteries instead of good old penlights. On the plus side, it does work as intended.

Love it. You need a space that you can build this and not have to move it around. It takes a long time to build-which is great. The waxing of parts is kinda of a pain. But, it is much better than the Metal build projects.

14 yr old grandson loved this!

I gave this to my mechanical engineer brother and he loved putting it together! He texted me updates and then a video of it running when done.

This is the second ROKR/Robotime (same company) purchase of the LGC01/Spaceport kit. I'm sending the first back to Amazon because of the balls jamming. I forgot to ask for a replacement kit (thought I may have got a bad kit the first time), so I ordered a second kit. Same exact issues with the second kit, balls jamming.The first photo shows where the ball gets jammed at the "pick-up wheel", the ball gets jammed between the plastic wheel and the wood structure.The second photo shows the "base plate" at the pickup wheel is tilting to the left, not allowing the ball to fully enter the pick-up area. This does not happen all the time, but fairly often. If the motor was hooked up and left unattended, I can image the motor burning up from the jam.The third photo shows jamming at the top where the balls enter the "redirection ramp". My first kit did the same thing but I glued on small scrap wood pieces to direct the balls to more of the center of the ramp.I'm waiting to see if Robotime/ROKR responds to my email I sent them to see how/if they will resolve. If not, this one will also be going back to Amazon.Would NOT advise to purchase at this time!I sent two emails a week ago to the MFG, one on the webpage, another direct email. No reply at all. Customer service is terrible! More than likely will be sending this one back also.