Orpheus - The Saddest Music Machine Wood Music Box Kit

  • $35.00
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We all need companions in our lives, and it's always helpful to have one who needs you in return. Orpheus, a robot-shaped DIY music box that plays music and lights up, is a bit sad and melancholic. But he looks cheerful, and he has a big heart. Orpheus will be a steadfast companion to any older child or adult.


Assemble Orpheus yourself or with your kids from the laser-cut wood pieces, and soon you will have your own hand-cranked music box with moving gears and a light-up heart, as well as moving and poseable arms and legs. His melody is called "Cycle of Happiness", which you can play any time you need some inspiration, or when you feel Orpheus needs some attention.

Assembled, he stands 7" tall x 8 1/2" wide x 4" deep (depending on how you position him).  Includes 221 laser-cut plywood pieces in 4 sheets, music box with winding key, electric parts, and instructions. This model is easier to assemble than most of the others we offer, but is still recommended for ages 12 and up.

Notes from Alex:

Orpheus was the first model kit we sold, and we will carry him as long as we can find a supplier.

We were asked how long he takes to assemble, and it's actually hard to determine. This is one of the few models where glue is needed (included in the kit), and the sub-assemblies have to dry, so it's a series of starts and stops. Our sample was assembled over two evenings. If I had to guess, I'd say about 2-3 hours of actual build time.

The instructions are straightforward. Although the model is articulated (shoulders, elbows, knees, hands) we would guess that if it's moved a lot the joints could become loose, so keep that in mind. He's something you would pose occasionally, rather than play with. And he looks terribly cute holding a flower in one of his claws.