Can You Imagine Time Machine Tabletop Clock

by Can You Imagine

Product Features

• High quality wooden spiral track
• 3 drop/connecting holes
• Helix: 14 3/4 long, 9 1/2 inch diameter
• Accelerator: 1 1/2 x 1 5/8 inches Ages 4+

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B0000BEWO6
• Item model number: 5413
• Manufacturer recommended age: 8 years and up
• Batteries: 4 C batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,149 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Time Machine is the clock that's fun to watch! Just turn it on and its precise mechanism transfers a chrome ball every sixty seconds for the perfect time. With its custom acrylic display case and ultra-modern design, Time Machine is destined to become the centerpiece of any room or office and will entertain and amaze for years!

Product Description

Watch time pass while observing the science of physical energy and the power of machines. -- A battery-operated motor lifts a steel ball bearing onto a durable concentric track at regular intervals. Here it moves with others on a slow downward course, both halted and propelled by 'see-saws' that tip when correctly weighted. Correct time can be read by observing the numerals that the balls are aligned with - hours and minutes are both indicated. -- This intriguing conversation piece is encapsulated in a clear, impact-resistant case. The base measures 10" x 6", the clock mechanism stands 8" high. -- Powered by a 6V AC adapter (not included) or via 4 "C" batteries (not included). -- Resources: -- » See It Work (Flash Movie)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't underestimate how LOUD these are!, July 28, 2007

By 

aquapt (CA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Can You Imagine Time Machine Tabletop Clock (Toy)

I had always wanted one of these, and finally got one a few years ago. I'm still very fond of it, but I rarely plug it in. It's fine if you're actually sitting and watching it, but there was nowhere I could put it in my house that the incessant clunking of balls wouldn't drive me nuts the rest of the time. Don't even *think* about putting one of these in a bedroom, unless it's occupied by somebody with severe hearing loss. Other than that, though, these clocks are fascinating and great fun.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Clock but not durable, August 17, 2008

By 

Mickey W. Mitani (Nebraska USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Can You Imagine Time Machine Tabletop Clock (Toy)

I had the original ball clock back in the mid-70s but it didn't survive a move so when this version came out we bought a couple this time.

Unlike the original, you don't have to put it together, which was a positive. Also unlike the original, the arm doesn't move constantly, which turns out to be both a positive and a negative. On the positive side, the arm moves faster than one revolution a minute, which means it is less likely to drop a ball, which happened often with the old clock. On the negative side, the gearing that keeps the arm stationary for most of the minute failed after 9 months, rendering the first clock useless. The arm moves constantly now, picking up several balls per minute.

The second clock was found to have been put together slightly off true, so the balls get stuck in the vertical tube instead of rolling to the pickup point. So neither clock works now and they're not worth sending back for fixing, although I might try to swap the motors to see if I can get one good clock out of the pair.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best gift I ever bought my husband, March 24, 2008

By 

Angela Wolf "bookangel" (Hamburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Can You Imagine Time Machine Tabletop Clock (Toy)

My husband was thrilled with this gift. He had one as a child and talked about it often. He says he could just sit and watch it all day. It does not seem very durable, however, and the clear plastic case arrived with scratches on the sides and back. I'm not returning it though, because my husband is too enthralled with it. It's noisy but we just don't put it in our bedroom!