Erector Motorized Racing Car & More - 643 pc Metal Construction Set
by Erector
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Our Price: $71.99
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Category: Toy
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: ErectorBrand: Erector
Model: 830570E
Product features:
- Comes with a 6V battery-operated motor
- A special edition designed for real constructors
- Comes with 643 parts
- Instructions for 25 Fully Detailed Models
- Interchangeable with all Erector sets
- Sony Cycle Energy 2000 mAh Pre-Charged AA Rechargeable Batteries
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries - 4 Pack
- Sony 2500 mAh AA Rechargeable Nimh Batteries, 4-pack
- Sanyo Eneloop AA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargable Batteries with Charger - 4 Pack
- Lenmar Ready-2-Go R2GAA4 1.2V 2150mAh Rechargeable NiMH AA Battery (4 -Pack)
Toys and Games Reviews of Erector Motorized Racing Car & More - 643 pc Metal Construction Set
Customer Review: Lots of Potential. Poor design. Understand what you are getting.
Summary: 3 Stars
Amazon:
As usual, Amazon did a great job of processing and shipping the order. No complaints at all on that front other than they seem to intentionally delay the ship date on free shipping because actual transit times for most kinds of shipping across the US is 3 days or less.
The Product:
I played with Meccano/Erector sets as a kid over 40 years ago and not much has changed. However what has changed has changed for the worse. First, keep in mind that '643' pieces is highly misleading. There are only about 100-120 actual pieces. The rest of that 643 number consists of 125 screws, 125 nuts, 30 washers, and a bunch of similar tiny plastic spacers and collars. i.e. not what you would normally count as 'parts'. I am guessing that the 2 piece case and instruction booklet count as "parts" because the listed parts total to 641.
The instruction booklet isn't bad, but so much can be done to improve it. For a start each model could have a name. There are no names in the booklet, just images. There are almost no words and all instructions are pictographic which makes them a bit tough for younger kids to follow as they require some logic and 3D perspective to figure out. In some areas the instructions are pretty unclear.
There are a couple of areas where the design of this product is really poor/annoying. For example when assembling components on shafts (such as wheel axles), the components are just held in place by a friction collar which is nothing more than a tiny rubber band. The grip of this band is so light that they keep falling off with the slightest pressure, especially when in a vertical orientation where they can pop off under their own weight. In the old days, they had threaded ends that were held in place with a nut of some sort. Why they moved to this silly design is a mystery. Also in the old design, the wheels and pulleys were locked onto the shaft with a small locking screw. Now the wheels are all thin plastic and rely on the rubber collar at the end of the assembly to define their location. When you try to make something with this kit, you will realize how frustrating that can be since it gives you virtually no control over location.
The battery box is of particularly bad design. Maybe in order to increase the part count or add to the construction activities the battery box is supplied as 6 pieces. There are no instructions on how to assemble this other than one unclear picture. A closer examination of the parts will clue you into how it has to be done, but the parts fit so badly that I have been unable to assemble the unit in a way that holds together. It is clear that it requires several screws and nuts to hold it together against the spring pressure but nowhere in the instructions does it show you that. Even when you figure it out you'll find that placing those nuts and screws is a very tricky job and a crucial nut/screw that will hold the whole assembly together cannot be placed where needed. That is because it has the corresponding locations for the nut and screw improperly molded in the plastic so that the nut has nothing to hold it in place and there is semicircle of plastic blocking the passage of the screw. That is a bafflingly bad design for a kids toy. The supplied motor has very poor torque, so unless you get smart and create a gearing system, the slightest friction stops the motor.
What is good is that it provides you enough complexity to interact with your kid for hours.
More Erector Motorized Racing Car & More - 643 pc Metal Construction Set Customer Reviews:
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Description of Erector Motorized Racing Car & More - 643 pc Metal Construction Set
The Erector Set has been a favorite toy since the early part of the 20th century. Designed for ages ten and older, the ingenious system of small parts combine in numerous ways to create an infinite number of models. As kids enjoy building with the Erector Metal Construction Set, they're learning important skills like patience, organization, coordination, and how to read directions. The Erector Metal Construction Set features a six-volt, battery-powered motor so that children can see their creations move. Super Construction Set Ages: 8+ Number of models: 25 Number of parts: 643 Requires: 4 "AA" batteries (not included) What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Instructions for building 15 increasingly complex models; pieces interchangeable with other Erector sets. The Challenging: With 643 parts to keep track of, pieces might get lost; directions have illustrations but no text. In a Nutshell: A classic toy that will entertain kids for hours while encouraging creativity and honing motor and analytical skills. You can create a variety of devices, ranging from a catapult... View larger. ...to a working, motorized car! View larger. Build, Learn, PlayThe Erector Set has been a favorite toy since the early part of the 20th century. Designed for ages ten and older, the ingenious system of small parts combine in numerous ways to create an infinite number of models. As kids enjoy building with the Erector Metal Construction Set, they're learning important skills like patience, organization, coordination, and how to read directions. The Erector Metal Construction Set features a six-volt, battery-powered motor so that children can see their creations move.
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 You can create a variety of devices, ranging from a catapult... View larger. |
 ...to a working, motorized car! View larger. |
The Erector Set comes with a handy carrying case. Not only does it help your child organize the many small pieces of their set, it allows them to take the set with them on the go. The instructions are helpful and clear, showing in detail how to build the models, and stating clearly what pieces are needed before your child gets started. Please note, however, that there are no text directions, only illustrations. The plastic pieces can feel flimsy at times, but children testing the toy didn't seem to mind and played for hours.
A Classic Toy Lives On
Kids can build up to 15 different models using the illustrated instructions, or they branch out with their own creations. From planes to cranes to helicopters, there is so much that can be built with the 643 nuts, bolts, wheels, screws, and metal pieces that come with this set. A six-volt battery-powered motor makes the models come alive.
The sheer number of parts may seem overwhelming, but the compartmentalized case will help kids stay organized. Teenagers should have no problem building on their own, but younger kids might need some supervision and help, especially since the directions include no explanatory text -- just illustrations.
What's in the Box
Erector set with 643 parts, six-volt battery-operated motor (batteries not included), illustrated directions, and storage case.
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