I chose to create the thing without a stand (you may buy it with or without one).
It’s a really wonderful and extremely detailed rendition of a Praying Mantis (Metal3dpuzzles does several but I believe this is the most complex to date) with over 350 pieces and is approximately 24 cm in length when assembled just to give you an idea of the finished size.
This was a bit of a struggle because it was more intricate than prior projects, and because I completed it without the stand, I chose to move a few components ‘about’ in the final design to make it more ‘balanced’.
As usual, the steampunk model kits was neatly packaged in one of these very useful little plastic boxes with all the tools and instructions needed, including a very simple building guide.
The box includes a very useful clasp top that keeps everything snug and safe until you need it, with each ingredient numbered and packed with the associated color image instruction leaflet.
The head was rather simple to construct at initially, with a set of mandibles on either side giving the visage a vicious ‘look’. The two antennae fit perfectly, and the entire head piece came together swiftly, with an adjoining bracket fitting behind it.
The two forearms came next, which were complicated but thoroughly explained. When I first built the pair, I was concerned that the bug might collapse forward without its base, but as you can see, it stood on its own rather well.
The legs and wings were then put together – so far, so simple.
It’s a good idea to go through each ‘bag’ or set of instructions BEFORE screwing anything together because concepts telling you what the instructions’mean’ frequently come to life more when you examine things face to face (depending on your dexterity or dominant hand).
Counting the holes in the wing segments, for example, will prevent you from screwing them together incorrectly!
Laying out the abdomen pieces again causes the piece to ‘come to life,’ and you’ll immediately realize the ideal way it’ll fit together.
This is another excellent ‘build’ for most folks to try. It’s somewhat complicated and needs some dexterity, but as long as you don’t have enormous hands, you should be fine.
The main body revolves around a long screw that is inserted into a ‘cage’ created by bending a bracket and then attaching a smaller screw – It appears difficult until you realize that if you use the included pliers and hold it in your left hand, everything just works!
I believe the ‘secret’ to this model is to’read the directions’ and go through them systematically, and you should be OK.
The easiest way to explain it is to ‘take drink breaks,’ set out your work as each component is completed, and it will fit together quite effortlessly.
Here’s the finished abdomen, and below is a lay out I took before one of these coffee breaks, with everything lined out.
I also discovered that when you finish each piece, make sure the screws are nice and snug because changes become more difficult to make once you attach them to the larger body.
It’s not a quick five-minute model kit; it’ll take you (or at least me) a few hours to complete, but it’s a lot of fun.
However, I would recommend purchasing it ‘with stand attachment’ because I had to juggle my build a little without it.
Another amazing model from metal3dpuzzles, but don’t expect to sail through it quickly.