Description
- HOBBY MODEL KIT – Unassembled model packed in an envelope with easy to follow instructions. Ideal for ages 14 and up
- NO GLUE OR SOLDER NEEDED – Parts can be easily clipped from the metal sheets. Tweezers are the recommended tool for bending and twisting the connection tabs
- HIMEJI CASTLE – 3 Sheet Model with a challenging difficulty level. Assembled Size: 2.81 x 2.69 x 2.34 inches
- FROM STEEL SHEETS TO 3D – Pop out the pieces and connect using tabs and holes. Includes illustrated instructions
- HIGHLY DETAILED ETCHED MODEL – Display your 3D model once completed – collect and build them all
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JJ –
I’ve put together about a hundred of these kits. So I thought I’d share some of my insights with you about them as I think they would be helpful. First, I’ll address what these kits are not. They’re not made for kids to build on their own. They involve tiny and sharp metal pieces that can do some damage to fingers. They are not easy to assemble. The packaging is deceiving a bit in this way. As for the assembly process, don’t expect the process to be as simple as cutting out the pieces, bending them and then putting them together via a pair of pliers. If you start off with these expectations, then odds are that you will be very disappointed and frustrated. So here’s what these kits really are about and what’s required to assemble them. They’re made for people who really like to put things together and have the time and patience to do so. If you like putting together models of ships or airplanes or complicated Lego sets, then you’re probably going to like these kits. You’re going to need some special tools. Having these on hand will make all the difference in the world. As mentioned above, scissors and pliers won’t do the job. The tools I use include the following: Small short needle nose pliers. Small long needle nose pliers. Small flat end pliers. Long nose tweezers. Sharp, small metal cutter. Small metal file. Two types of photo-etching bending tools. One for bending straight edges and the other for making curves or circles. A good light source. A strong magnifying glass that can stand by itself while you’re doing your work. Instead of this, I have a special pair of glasses that my dentist uses. As mentioned above, you’re going to need time and patience. It takes me a few hours to build their simplest of models. Once you have all of these, then my suggestion is to start with the simplest kits first. These are pretty easy to spot versus the more complicated ones; one sheet versus three, more straight edges versus curved, etc. My next suggestion is that for your first several models that you consider buying 2 or 3 kits of the same model. You can count on that you’re going to make mistakes early on and you’re going to wish you had a spare part or 2. The good news is that the kits are inexpensive. Assuming you have the expectations and the right tools, then these kits become a real joy. At least they have for me. They’re a workable challenge and the finished result is very gratifying and fun to show off. Building these can become an obsession. Your skills will improve with the construction of each model. You’ll also find yourself more discriminating of the results and want to do a better job on the next one. This is a fun and challenging hobby that is worthy of consideration assuming, again, that you have the right tools and expectations. Hope this helps.
Jonathan J Kim –
Very involved project that required good 12 hours. But this was my first work in fact first handy work in awhile so it was very satisfying and relaxing. It comes in 3 small sheet metal. It is exceptionally well cut and engraved. None of the part came a part, fell off, nor not fit as shown. It being a metal too a little bit of coarsing to get it in place but the thin and small material took the extra force and held on.
All the connectors are notches were all good as one little nip would have ruined the project that it was very pleasing to see such well designed and finely crafted work of art. It seats on top of my speaker and pretty. I will buy more.
Caelan Aegana –
This model is really beautiful and I had a lot of fun putting together. It’s definitely for someone who’s familiar with building models, as it is challenging and you will probably need a lot of manual dexterity, some fine-nose tweezers, and maybe a magnifying glass!
I knocked off a star because the version I received came in a little cardboard sleeve instead of the white decorative box I was expecting from the product page. It makes me wonder if it was counterfeit. If it was (and I can’t prove anything), the materials were still high quality and nothing on the packaging screamed that it was stolen. Still, I’m disappointed because part of what I wanted was the nice display box.
Orlow –
The package that the castle came in said “14 and up.” This thing is very difficult, but fun. While a younger child may find it pretty to look at, they’d easily get frustrated at the fragile pieces. The instructions are at times difficult to understand, but the website has good 3D renderings that help. The tiny tabs are very, very difficult to bend into place and have stay. Even when it’s put together, it will most likely be a bit wobbly. I had one piece that just altogether was not the right shape and didn’t fit properly, which I had to shave down. There are a few points where you almost can’t reach the tabs, as they’re blocked by previous constructed towers. The model is, however, a great time-consumer if you like to get lost in work and it turns out amazingly if done right.
John J Lazell –
I’ve built over 30 Metal Earth models, this one has the most design flaws, and that’s why it gets three stars. Don’t get me wrong, it is a beautiful model! — it just needs some tweaking to keep everything straight. Their own 360-degree-view of the model on the Fascinations website is pathetically twisted and doesn’t sit flat. It’s not terribly difficult to build but it is three sheets and is somewhat time consuming. My model is perfectly straight and I’ll tell you how I did it…
To fix it: Part #12 bends into a small piece connecting two sections; **you must make its roof shallow** or else the sections that sit above it will not be level. To keep the roof shallow: don’t worry about the back of pice 12; it does not need to be vertical as it won’t be seen once the model is completed. Also, this piece (#12) does not take into account the curvature on the bottom of piece #2 so you will need to cut a little bit off of the bottom-right of it with wire cutters. Do a dry-fit first and you’ll see what I mean.
I forget i ti’s piece #15 or piece #17, one of them is not long enough. The small section made up of parts # 15-19, I waited to connect that until I finished the rest of the model. If you connect the section to the base without bending and tweaking, that whole section will be crooked.
Make sure each floor is flat and level before you add to it or your problems will only compound. Just bend and tweak as necessary.
The very last section (pieces # 54, 55, 56 and its roof) were a pain in the ass. I ended up needing glue.
YOU MUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND HAVE VAST AMOUNTS OF PATIENCE in order to build any of these Metal Earth models and have them come out looking good, especially this one.