To me these hobbies are not a problem until you have trouble paying bills. Compared to other addictive things like alcohol, gambling, drugs, etc., it's imho harmless and actually productive. Those other things people often have nothing to show after spending lots of money (except maybe withdrawal or guilt?), but for us we have these little treasures that we are often proud of and others often admire.So I was talking to my wife about this thread, which I didn't know existed until today. We started counting how many I've built. The answer later, but I think I should explain myself first.
I recently retired from the Merchant Marine (working on cargo ships). In the last few years of sailing I discovered these models. They were easy to pack and take with me to sea, and I enjoyed building them at night when I had a little down time. They kept coming out with new ones, and I kept building them. Sent most of them home, but a few I left behind on the ship or gave to some folks that seemed fitting for whatever reason. Here are a few pictures of a few of them that I have scattered about the house. Didn't get pictures of all of them, but you get the idea. Like Ken, I also built the peacock, and it's friend the macaw parrot, and both are a challange. Both are sitting in a garden window among the plants and metal earth butterflies.
So how many have I built? We figure at least 90 of them. Maybe 95 even. I have about 80 here at home. I have another 4 or 5 on the shelf waiting to get built. I kind of hate it when I've built one, and they come out with a new version that is painted. Then I end up getting the painted one too since I like that better. Oh well.
Now I KNOW I don't have a rocket problem, but now that I think about it, maybe I DO have a Metal Earth problem???
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They are not easy, and with each passing year they seem to become more difficult for me. I don't even know if I consider building them to be "fun", but I seem to stubbornly enjoy the challenge and do get a lot of satisfaction for each piece I manage to attach correctly. It's not pleasant and relaxing in the way that building rockets is, at least for me.I bought a P-51 Mustang model. I can’t do it. Impossible to do some things. You guys are amazing to even try one. I can’t believe how many of you completed your models.
My neighbor gifted me with a set of 3 Star Trek models and it was surprisingly difficult to build two of them. When I told her about it, she jokingly gave out a sinister laugh!They are not easy, and with each passing year they seem to become more difficult for me. I don't even know if I consider building them to be "fun", but I seem to stubbornly enjoy the challenge and do get a lot of satisfaction for each piece I manage to attach correctly. It's not pleasant and relaxing in the way that building rockets is, at least for me.
The SV was a tough one for me as well, mine isn't not much to look at. The Apollo CSM with LM, while it has more parts, some of them very delicate, it was a much more satisfying build, and holds a prominent place in my display. Looks great, especially helps with the gold pieces. It helped that I had built a stand-alone LM before this one came out.Although it was only rated as "Moderate" difficulty, I struggled with this one and it did not come out well. If it looks good in this picture it is only because I intentionally photographed from its most flattering angle:
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Somehow the catwalks ended up backwards, so the beveled end was pointed in the wrong direction to snug up against the rocket. This despite the fact that I stared at the instructions for a *long* time (under the magnifier) to check exactly how to do it. Also I could not for the life of me shape the fin assemblies so the snugged up against the base of the airframe, and finally the tab at teh top of the rocket did not align with what I thought it was supposed to attach to (still no clue how that happened). I think the instructions could have been better with this one.
Anyway, it did serve to get me back in the swing so I'm hopefully ready for the next one. This will stay towards the back of the shelf, away from prying eyes.
Great Idea! I will have to do that with some of my tools. The key I found is to have flat jaws where you grip the parts, and serrated jaws where you need to grab the tabs to twist them.I use masking tape to cover my tools so they won't scratch the parts.
Some of the buildings were great starting models. Simple and fast to build, but gives you the chance to learn their methodology. The lighthouse, Washington monument (especially easy) and other skyscrapers go together easily. Then try some of the easier airplanes. I find arms and legs are a bit frustrating, so you might want to avoid those for now. And as someone said, pick ones that he might be interested in (i.e. superhero stuff, planes, space, bugs, etc). Really a wide range of subject matter.Do you guys have a recommendation for a decent starting kit and a basic set of the right tools for the job? My son is probably ready to try these again. We attempted one a couple of years ago, but his patience has improved dramatically since then and I suspect having better tools would also contribute greatly. As it is he'll spend a couple of days working on the Rokr kits, but I'd love to find something new. He's built a ton of those at this point and finding new and challenging options gets more expensive by the month.
Many of the character models are rated "Challenging" or "Expert", definitely do not recommend as a starter. C-3PO almost defeated me.I find arms and legs are a bit frustrating
Me too. Twice!!! Once in silver, and once in gold.... C-3PO almost defeated me.
Good looking build. I’ve found more than a few where I swear whoever did the instructions never tried to build it. Sometimes the tabs end up in some really inaccessible places.James Webb Space Telescope.
It is a 2 1/2 stainless plus 1/4 brass sheet model. The Brass is as thick as two of the stainless sheets, but bends just as easy.
The build was fairly easy with just a couple of rounded items, until the end where there are some really small pieces that need to be formed into channels, then whoever designed it was asleep at the last step which is difficult to bend tabs under the heat shield and on top of the stand mount. I used a small dowel with a chisel end to push over the tabs, and it worked.
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Noted.I used a small dowel with a chisel end to push over the tabs, and it worked
Just saved the picture for reference.As for tools here is a picture of the tools I use.
I use masking tape to cover my tools so they won't scratch the parts.
Hey hey, Just did my first ever Metal Earth parts assembly,
The stand is step 13 in the instructions - seemed wiser to start with its simplicity than step 1's rolling the cockpit and walkway tubes.
I often use pens, or the refills inside them. The points can be useful for cones. Toothpicks also help sometimes. Sharpie markers of different sizes are good too. Like you said, round objects are everywhere.Congrats on taking the first step on the slippery slope of Metal Earth!
When you do decide to roll those tubes, use a round object to roll them on. Round objects are everywhere, but for larger Items I use Dowels, and sockets. Smaller diameters I use the round shanks on various drill bits, round nosed pliers are also handy.
When you do decide to roll those tubes, use a round object to roll them on. Round objects are everywhere, but for larger Items I use Dowels, and sockets. Smaller diameters I use the round shanks on various drill bits, round nosed pliers are also handy.
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