Steam Locomotive with Tender Mechanical Construction Kit by Ugears – Self-Propelled Modular Mechanical Model - 3D Wooden Puzzle for Self-Assembly Without Glue - Brainteaser for Kids, Teens and Adults

Axles in wood

The model itself is good quality, laser cut, very intricate and detailed. It was bought for my husband's 30th birthday. He's very mechanically minded and enjoys modelling of all kinds, so he is experienced with wooden models. However, the gears and axles require substantial adjustment to make the product work due to the amount of friction it is under. The suggested waxing of the cocktail stick moving parts with a tea light to grease them is not enough. The product could do with being supplied with a small container of proper grease or to suggest a mechanics grease to over come this issue. Model had to be deconstructed several times to fine tune the gear system, because even if you test the parts before final assembly and they work, final assembly stiffens things up and readjustment is again needed. The gears needed removing one by one under a process of trial and error to see which caused the problem, the cocktail sticks needed much adjusting and several extra greasings to get it right. Getting the thing to work took longer than it did to build it. The cocktail sticks snap easily and are under a lot of strain.Although the model is supposed to made out of all wood, the small axles could really have been done with being made out of metal because wooden cocktail sticks just don't do the job. This would be a necessary compromise.Another pitfall is that the train can travel 5meters under it's own momentum but only 30cm of track is supplied. It is a straight piece, so is barely enough. If you wish to purchase the extra track it will set you back another £30 for 4 meters, the railway platform is another almost £60.

The user guide of how to put it together lacks some extra details. You have to cut cocktail sticks (provided) but you dont know how long they need to be. The wheels have to be very specifically put on for the external pistons to go on. The pieces are not very easy to push out and the laminate often comes apart. We have only got to page 11 and our fingers were aching from pushing it together. Dont think ours will move even with the candle wax (not supplied) rubbed on the moving parts.

At first sight the box appears quite small but upon opening it you find 8 panels of highly detailed and perfectly cut lazer cut parts. Its obvious from the word go that this is not going to be a 5 minute build. With the panels is a pack of cocktail sticks and some rubber bands. Building is a joy as the parts are so accurate. You really dont need glue, its all push fit and or held together with pegs. You do need a sharp knife to separate the parts and a candle to lubricate the moving parts with wax. This model is a work of genius. It is beautifully thought out and engineered and great fun to build. You really do need to follow the instructions very carefully as its easy to miss a vital part but the instructions are very well put together and clear. A great model but not for the feint hearted.

I have become at the age of 82 a big fan of UGear models and have at this time built 13 of your models.I have also built 10 of your competitor in this field Wood Tricks.I am now trying another maker Wooden City.This is how I have spent some of my time during the Covid 19 isolation times

Quite fiddly and difficult but challenging.

Good value. Well made. Delivered on time.

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