Titanic 3D Metal Model Kit Fascinations

I've put together more than 50 metal earth models and love every one of them. Many times you can find a set of multiple models for a much lower individual price. Some are just harder than others. A few considered "easy" on metal earths web site have been harder than ones considered "challenging" or "expert". I like the harder ones. Spending $7 to $10 on a model that I put together in less than 20 minutes sucks. Having the proper tools is a must. A pair of small wire cutters (I purchased the Hakko CHP-170 for less than $5), a small pair of pliers or two (I purchased at Hobby Lobby in the jewelry section), a set of small electronic/watch repair screwdrivers (to bend the tabs or to take apart when I mess up), and since my eyes are not what they used to be, a head magnifier or cheap reading glasses you can get at any dollar store. I search around the house for things that may help. Round pencils, small wood dowel, markers of different sizes, anything that fits the shape I need.Many of the pieces in the models are very small, and the tabs to be bent or twisted are hard to get to or manipulate. But isn't that the idea of a model? With all Metal Earth models, take your time and if something doesn't seem to fit then stop, backtrack, and look and see if you missed something or have a wrong piece in the wrong place. The instructions are easy to read, but on the more than 50 models I have put together only 2 or 3 have had an error in the instructions. I have learned that if you come to a spot in the instructions that is hard to understand then slightly twist the tabs. This allows for a much easier time taking apart. You can then bend or twist the tabs when you know it is correct. The tabs can be bent several times before they break (I can't seem to put together any of them without messing up and having to take a piece or two off to correct).

I found this model to be quite fun and moderately challenging to assemble. I took my time, and in 6 hours I had a fantastic representation of the RMS Titanic! Keep in mind that the proper tools are recommended, and if you choose to just "wing it" it will not turn out at all. I used a pair of fine tipped jewelers snips, standard tweezers, and a wooden dowel approximately 1/8" in diameter. The directions advise to use a pair of needle nose pliers, but the tweezers have better control and reach than a standard pair of pliers.

This metal Titanic model, for all its minuscule aesthetic awesomeness, is a pure, unadulterated, life-drainer. I am well within the targeted market of '14 years old or older' -- very firmly situated, actually, within the 'or older' arena. Etched minutiae meticulously rendered on sliver thin sheets of metal are this close >< to being impossible to remove without damaging pieces that ought not be damaged/destroyed/ripped apart, as, for all their metallic molecular structure, there are several very frail, rather mind-bogglingly delicate pieces that are so incredibly, tightly adjoined to one another that they are susceptible to damage/destruction/rips. In the process of removing a few of these pieces, a couple parts that are pre-scored, broke, unable to handle even some amount of stress necessitating their removal (looking at you, piece #37). It is utter foolishness to state that the tools that are 'recommended' in the instructions are merely recommendations. You can NOT build this model without those tools. So be sure you've got them on hand before you start! You also need incredible amounts of patience, and really good eyesight, as well as proper lighting, building surface, and callused fingers and hands that have no nerve endings. Oh! And you cannot have carpal tunnel! Because this is consistently torturous to try if you do have it, as the fingers go absolutely numb upon every repeated attempt to try, try again. Best of luck to anyone who takes this kit as a personal challenge, I could not do it.

I enjoyed putting this together. I'm glad I purchased one of the metal tool kits as well, that helped with rolling and folding the metal.The pieces are tiny, they do have to be folded with accuracy to be able to fit the pegs in the slots, I found the most difficult one to attach is the tiny grate (#20). I did create and attach the pieces onto their platforms before folding the platforms themselves. The instructions do show attaching them to already folded platforms.I found that the triangular pieces at the bottom rear of the ship were the most difficult pieces to form even with the tools.The smoke stacks do have a slight tilt to them so I had to make sure the stack and the ring on the top all faced the same way / / / / so it didn't look / \ / \Over all I very much enjoyed this and will look for more to do.

Lots of detailed parts with this product, must have lots of time to remove the pieces from the sheets and a place to keep them until ready to put together

I bought this for my son to have as a visual in his Titanic presentation. The quality of the metal is amazing, taking it apart was time consuming and worse than that building it was a disaster.Some pieces are super small and I literally had to use 2 tweezers to be able to hold those pieces and put them in place. To add to all that is having some pieces still loose even after you put them in their slots, so if you are trying to rotate the ship to add a piece, the already done ones would fall apart. I'm usually a very patient person and love working with detailed models, but with this one honestly gave up. My poor Titanic model currently is in a Ziploc bag and soon will probably end up in my trash can.My 3 stars are only for the quality of the metal and of the final result that will never see the light. :(