This is a terrific gift/contraption/geek toy/objet d'art AND objet de science! I had been wanting a good, relatively inexpensive, low-temp Stirling engine for some time, and, while this isn't low-temp enough to run solely on the heat of the palm of your hand (as some are, or at least *claim* to be), it's perfect as a temperature indicator for hot coffee and the like. It's a great value, well-made, easy to assemble, aesthetically somewhere between steam-punk-chic and a more Art Deco/Bauhaus, chrome-tinged, industrial design, and it works very well! I haven't tried yet any sort of lubrication of the moving parts, so I'm probably not getting maximal operation out of it, time-wise, but I find its gentle squeak endearing, like a tiny component from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's inner workings. Besides, it runs for quite a few minutes before it slows down enough to let me know my coffee is no longer too hot to drink. If you or a loved one is a fan of science-based gizmos and toys (I hesitate to use that word, because this is so much more than a toy), you will get great satisfaction and pleasure out of this device. Arrived quickly and well-packaged, so no complaints there, either. Five stars!