In Soviet times, children's metal constructors were very popular - sets of strips and plates of different sizes, with holes and fastening screws. Although the expression "iron toys" at one time was pronounced with derision, but as life has shown, plastic toys are much worse. Especially if it's cheap toxic material from China. It is not surprising that many parents prefer eco-friendly wooden or iron ones. Therefore, silumin models of cars are 2-3 times more expensive than plastic ones. But back to the designer from this review. In the photo below, half of the elements are no longer there (let's go), but the essence is clear.
He was bought by friends through an online store, for only 600 rubles, as a gift to his son. The set is called "Super wagon", and believe me - it fully justifies its prefix "super-"! In addition, such a thing is, as it were, a preparatory stage for mastering electronics for kids, showing how complex structures are obtained from individual simple parts.
In a convenient plastic box, there are a lot of all sorts of details, and not just cadmium ones, and painted in various colors with durable powder paint. The developers even provided for such useful little things as a crane hook, nylon rope, rollers and several types of wheels.
Complete set of the designer
- 1. Plank - 36 pcs.
- 2. Corner - 10 pcs.
- 3. Plate - 25 pcs.
- 4. Hood - 1 pc.
- 5. Stove - 3 pcs.
- 6. Fork - 5 pcs.
- 7. Bracket - 11 pcs.
- 8. Disc - 2 pcs.
- 9. Roller - 7 pcs.
- 10. Large wheel - 4 pcs.
- 11. Small wheel - 2 pcs.
- 12. Wheel - 4 pcs.
- 13. Tire - 4 pcs.
- 14. Hairpin - 5 pcs.
- 15. Axle - 4 pcs.
- 16. Cord - 2m.
- 17. Pen - 2 pcs.
- 18. Screw - 74 pcs.
- 19. Nut - 96 pcs.
- 20. Key - 3 pcs.
- 21. Screwdriver - 1 pc.
- 21. Instruction
The instructions have a dozen samples of what can be assembled from such a set, but it is clear that by connecting a minimal fantasy, the number of possible designs is unlimited. Here is just a small part of what I managed to photograph in the process:
Photo of crafts from an iron constructor
Machine
Helicopter
Airplane
self-propelled gun
Tank
Lantern with lamps
Motorbike
Tractor
Sofa
Crane
In general, at such a ridiculous price, we get not one kind of car or tank, but a whole bunch of all sorts of toys. Tired of one - dismantled and folded a new one, and so at least every day. And most importantly - they do not break, unlike delicate plastic ones. Unless you can bend, but this is fixable :)
Discuss the article CHILDREN'S IRON CONSTRUCTION
Hello friends. For a very long time I did not do reviews of handicrafts of creative personalities. Everyone could not find time for this, conducting his master classes, traveling around IT exhibitions () and starting his mini-journey and the changes that he wrote about in the blog.
I will send descriptions to the pictures and the works themselves, and the author will announce himself in the comments, if he wants.
The first sets began to be made already in 1901 in England.
Initially, the idea was to create working layouts to demonstrate projects, such as bridges.
But the material from which the layouts were assembled must be universal. This is how the idea of using perforated strips was born. Therefore, their models are unique in terms of the complexity of mechanical solutions and design beauty.
Motor:
Elevator control unit (stacker):
It's like a Tiger tank.
AN-2. It seems like it.
Mini model. The idea is taken from foreigners, but all the details are ours.
Cubism. Angular sides of large and small cubes. The big one is assembled from the standard corners of the designer, and in a small cube I put my parts to connect the sides. The gap is minimal.
I took a retro car from Meccano (red) assembled from our parts except for wheels, headlights and a cover on the hood.
I made templates for the manufacture of cover sheets from different companies. So far, only from the Yunost 4 set converted to a millimeter standard. And sheets from the GDR Construction 100 set. There are some duplicate drawings, this is to fill in the sheet. Some parts are reminiscent of the Mercur set.
Drawn in Word. It seems that it turned out not bad, but it is better to make templates on graph paper. It will be more accurate.
I will take the material from the covers of accounting folders. There are folders with normal thickness. I would like more, but what we have, then we will use it ..
I punch holes with a set of punches for punching holes in rubber. It is not expensive, it costs about 300 rubles.
This is how the retro truck turned out from memory. There are homemade parts, these are hinges on the doors, wheels and many other reworked parts from our kits. A trial version of making impromptu headlights from ketchup caps. In principle, LEDs can be installed in these caps and power the headlights. It is possible to add this model with hinges on the body and a lifting mechanism for the body. Although the lifting mechanism is for a different type of truck. Or make a roof on the body or put an awning. I think from Lego, add colored parking lights. You can paint the wheels with black paint, it’s like highlighting the outer shoe, as if the model has rubber wheels.
What do people think, can manufacturers be recommended to create such a set?
How do I make loops.
Yes, the occupation is long, dreary and thankless. A little distracted and that's it ... a loop to release.
And so, we take a panel 5x5 or 5x10, better 5x10 where the metal is thinner and easier to bend. We unfold the turns on the panel on the anvil and outline the future blanks for the loops. Everything is visible in the photo.
Well, then it’s a matter of technology ... mode, bend, saw, nails mode, and drive the loops to each other.
Trying to make gear sets.
It turned out such an impromptu ... not a known model of the aircraft ... Objections and comments are accepted. 🙂
I decided to continue the collection of old tanks from the war. This time it is an English tank Cromvell Mk 4 (A27M). This is the first version of the model so far. I will clarify some small details, maybe I will add some small details on the tower. I won't install tracks yet. Perhaps I will put them on after disassembling the KV-1. You need to loosen up the wheels a bit more. The tank gun was made from a telescopic antenna.
Where two tanks are together, you can clearly see how the iron coating oxidizes in air. Becomes pale, dull, then begins to darken. Iron on the second tank lay all this time in the package. Designers were bought almost simultaneously. Conclusion: our coatings have poor carcass, although not all manufacturers of designers. Still shame!
Trying to make big wheels 3 and 4 option
Part of my instrument.
Here is the continuation of the retro series. This is a Parisian taxi from the beginning of the last century. This is not a complete analogue of any model. In those days there were a lot of models of this type, and the series of cars were very insignificant.
Mekano has worthy models for re-building, our material and technical base is very small and depends on the amateur's wallet. Not everyone wants to spend several thousand rubles on 3-4 dozen parts.
In short, the model is not yet the final version. I need to do the front bumper and the rear too. Might be worth putting a spare in the back. On the roof, make railings for suitcases.
In short, take another model for assembly from domestic parts for criticism. I tried to paint the wheels from a conventional aerosol can with alkyd enamel for interior and exterior work, it turned out not bad, in my opinion.
Now in the market of children's educational toys there are a large number of types and types of various designers. Each of the options has its pros and cons.
Of interest to boys of all ages are the designers, the details of which are made of metal. With the help of such kits, you can create both small cars or helicopters, as well as professional models of vehicles, as well as buildings and architectural monuments.
Construction is a useful game at any age
As a rule, the designer includes various metal parts with slots for fasteners. The set also includes: screws, nuts, bolts, technical units, wheels that help fasten the iron parts into a single game model.
From it you can assemble a car, a helicopter, a construction crane, a tank and other toys that are interesting for a boy, which can really drive and perform their originally assigned functions.
Small car with rotating wheels (photo)
You will find detailed information about wooden constructors in.
The basic kit always comes with assembly instructions. If the designer is universal, then the book will indicate several possible assembly options to stimulate the boy's creative and engineering thinking.
The toy helps children unobtrusively and with interest to study the basic laws of physics, to understand the essence of phenomena, to model new versions of things that are interesting to him. If something is done incorrectly, then the car will not go, and the crane will not be able to lift the load.
For a boy, a constructor made of iron parts is a storehouse of household knowledge that will be needed in the future. He will learn how to tighten nuts, tighten bolts, invent designs that will undoubtedly fulfill their assigned role.
Iron Tank by Eitech (Track Vehicles Metal Building)
Varieties
Constructors made of iron can be classified as follows:
- By size. Play sets are divided into large ones, which have an impressive number of parts (their assembly takes a significant amount of time) and small ones, made from a small number of parts (they are easily assembled by a child in a short period of time).
- According to age restrictions. They are divided into sets for boys 5-6 years old, 7-8 years old, 9-10 years old. The greater the estimated age of the child assembling the constructor, the smaller the details and the more elaborate the assembled model can be. The complexity of the assembly process also depends on the age characteristics.
- According to the presented models. Thematic ones are characterized by 1 or 2 specific models of equipment of a certain theme assembled from the constructor. Universal ones involve a large number of assembled models, and the same part can serve as different parts in different mechanisms.
If parents buy their son his first metal constructor, it is better to start with simpler options that have a small number of parts. More complex and larger sets may scare the child.
Powerful sports car
The constructor made of metal parts has its own special features (both positive and negative), which distinguish it from other similar toys.
Advantages of a metal constructor:
- Develops fine motor skills of hands, instills perseverance.
- Stimulates constructive and spatial thinking, the construction of logical chains by a child, develops mental abilities.
- Metal parts withstand multiple assemblies. If desired, they can be bent and bent back.
- Large range of models. Each child will be able to choose from a wide range of options that he likes best.
- The kits introduce the child to elementary male housework: working with a screwdriver, nuts, screws, threads.
- Pronounced male character of the toy.
Loader
Flaws:
- Age restrictions - designed for boys from 5 years.
- Increased risk of injury - iron parts carry not only wear resistance, but also a real possibility of injury. Therefore, the assembly of a set of parts by a child of 5-6 years old should take place under the careful supervision of an adult.
- Metal constructors are less bright and attractive than their plastic counterparts.
If, after buying an iron constructor, the boy did not show due interest in him, you should not impose him. Set the set aside, and when a little time has passed, offer the game set again.
locomotive with wagon
Probably every little boy had a metal constructor in the USSR. It was a boring plastic box in which various iron parts with round holes (slats) of various sizes and shapes, bolts, washers, nuts, wheels, hinge elements and a wrench were collected.
The metal was solid, not covered with anything, so it had a natural color. Models from the game set could hardly be called cheerful and bright, and it was not created for these purposes. The toy served exclusively for the formation of the first engineering skills in boys.
A large number of parts made it possible to make everything that a boyish soul desires from the designer: various aircraft, cars, helicopters, steam locomotives and other equipment. The model building manual was complex and confusing, so initially the children were assisted in the construction by adults.
Modern ones are suitable for adults and little boys, represented by a huge assortment for every taste and budget.
From the Soviet guys who were passionate about designing from a metal constructor, excellent engineers and mechanics grew up in the USSR.
Set from the Soviet era
Manufacturers and prices
In the line of metal constructors, there are several most popular manufacturers:
- "Samodelkin". Outwardly, it is very similar to the old Soviet metal set. It has universal parts that can be assembled into a variety of models that are not similar to each other. There are series "Baby", "Junior", "Technician", "Samodelkin", "Genius", designed for different ages of boys and different levels of technical complexity. Metal parts - colored. Production - Russia.
- "Tenth Kingdom". This manufacturer creates both universal (numbered) and thematic sets (Truck, Jeep, Retro Auto, Train, etc.). Designed both for classes in the lessons of labor, and for an independent game of the child. Details are painted in standard colors. The kit comes with assembly instructions. Production - Russia.
- Rinzo. Themed of metal parts with the addition of bright plastic elements. Compatible with similar play sets from other manufacturers. Two models can be assembled from one set, carefully described in the assembly manual. Complete with wrench and screwdriver. Production - Great Britain.
- Meccano. A designer who has a high degree of detail and elaboration of the technical components of his models. Has painted parts. The collected equipment is distinguished by spectacular realism. Production - Canada.
Meccano produces some of the most expensive metal constructors. The fact is that the models from it are obtained in size much more impressive than those produced by other companies and are as similar as possible to real prototypes.
Racing car from Meccano
Helicopter from the brand “Tenth Kingdom”
Transport from Rinzo
Game set from the brand "Samodelkin"
Table - Approximate cost of metal constructors
| brand | Name | Recommended age, years | Number of parts, pcs | Approximate price, |
| Meccano | Combat helicopter | from 10 | 374 | 5450 |
| Samodelkin | Baby | from 4 | 74 | 400 |
| Junior | from 4 | 124 | 450 | |
| Samodelkin S-30 | from 6 | 184 | 580 | |
| Young Genius #2 | from 6 | 228 | 700 | |
| Rinzo | Truck | from 6 | 224 | 820 |
| Excavator and lift | from 6 | 132 | 660 | |
| Tenth Kingdom | Set #5 | 6-10 | – | 250 |
| Jeep | from 7 | 383 | 680 |
When choosing a metal construction set, consider not only the age category for which it is designed, but also the individual characteristics of your child.
Children under 3 years old should choose constructors from safe large textile or plastic elements, and funny children's toys will help to please them as much as possible.
Despite the great popularity of plastic LEGO sets, metal sets for boys are becoming more and more popular every year. Manufacturers come up with new models, make them more realistic, which invariably affects sales. And at a cost, metal designers are much more affordable than their plastic counterparts.
Which we began to produce at our enterprise among the first. They were created specifically for classes in labor lessons in the lower grades and have been coping well with their function for more than a dozen years.
And, despite the fact that for labor lessons we made a more modern metal constructor "School", the popularity of this series does not decrease. They are still one of the most popular and "sold" among all our iron construction sets for children. They were especially fond of the representatives of the parent committees of kindergartens and schools.
We are already accustomed to the fact that metal constructors for labor lessons are very often taken for the whole class, group or school, and therefore we reserve them in the warehouse in quantities larger than all other constructors. The designers of this series can also very often be found on sale under other trademarks, with a different name and in a different package, we have made a lot of them and continue to make them for other market participants.
And, finally, the fact that these construction sets are intended for labor lessons does not mean at all that they cannot be played with at home. They perfectly develop perseverance, logic, spatial thinking and fine motor skills. From each set, both relatively complex models and very simple ones are assembled.
To help you, we have created a “Support” section on the website of our online store, where all the instructions and assembly diagrams for all our designers are posted. There you can restore lost schemes and recharge with new ideas.
We also recommend you to see othermetal constructors , produced by the "Tenth Kingdom" (there are already more than fifty of them), in order to choose exactly the designer that your child needs from the table.
In addition, the indisputable advantage of this constructor is that all the details are packed in a wooden box, which is certainly more durable than cardboard boxes and more convenient for storing metal constructor elements. Accordingly, the chances are increased that all the details, screws, nuts will lie in one place, and not scattered around your house.
You can buy a children's metal constructor No. 1 in a wooden box in our Tenth Kingdom online store without overpayments at the manufacturer's price. Photos, assembly diagrams and detailed instructions are duplicated in the "Support" section.
Metal constructor 2 sells well, but is not the absolute bestseller among our metal constructors for labor lessons. True to its name, it has been a consistent second-seller in the series for almost two decades.
It consists of 290 parts, which allows you to assemble 4 interesting models of medium complexity.
Being more expensive than the metal constructor 1 for labor lessons by almost 82 rubles, nevertheless, in comparison with it, it is a more rational purchase. Metal constructors are generally easy to check "for profitability". You need to take the price and divide by the number of parts. The price of one part in the metal constructor 2 will turn out to be less than in the cheaper metal constructor 1. Apparently, life teaches us to count not only us, but also our customers, which is an indicator of good sales of this constructor, despite the fact that we have long become to produce new designers for the school using new methods of protecting metal parts from corrosion.
By the way, having collected all four designs recommended by the instruction, you can go to the "Support" section. There are laid out assembly diagrams for all the iron designers produced by us. You can pick up some other model that can be assembled from the parts at your disposal.
It would be fair if a person who typed in the search for "children's designer metal USSR" gets to this page. Why? Yes, because we are practically sure that "the most Soviet metal designer" is produced by us. The fact is that the molds for the suitcase of this designer were made back in the days of the USSR, we bought them in the late 90s from one of the Soviet enterprises, which in the end did not survive perestroika. The suitcase was actually produced back in the Soviet Union. In those days, they did not save on material, a suitcase takes a lot of material, which makes it quite expensive. But this, by the way, is the only drawback of the equipment, it still works like a clock.
In the suitcase you will find 158 elements, from which 5 models of varying complexity are assembled. By the way, the models are also from children's metal constructors from the times of the USSR.
Feeling some remorse from the fact that we are still producing, in fact, a Soviet metal constructor, we are constantly going to take it out of production, but constant orders do not allow this. He still has his own buyer, so he is always in stock in our Tenth Kingdom online store, along with other, more modern metal constructors.
Already shone in another group, but in my opinion it will be in the subject here.Original taken from papa_karl0 in Lego against the Soviet constructor. (Part 2) Gantry crane. One with holes, the other with pimples!
We continue the comparison
Terms of Reference:
1. Gantry crane.
2. Manual control.
It turned out like this:
Lego.
Traditional problems with the implementation of moving elements and mechanisms. Everything that can be somehow adapted is used. Wow, I messed up.
In general, we succeeded.:
Metal.
Made in the GDR. The photo is not mine.
Managed:
control mechanism.
It is played, do not drag it by the ears.
Conclusions.
Reflections on the topic.
Next time I will talk about life after children's designers, when a young technician opens his own horizons.
Tags: How to, make, from, metal, constructor, crane
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1 Sep 2014 - 2 min - Uploaded by Load lifting machinesMetal kit Cranes... Construction kit from Chinese company "KAZI" No.8 lego analogue - Duration: 3:36. Hobbies...
An old argument about which is better - Lego or a metal constructor. papa_karl0 compared their effectiveness in reproducing toy mechanisms. On his blog, he talks about assembling two functional gantry cranes from fundamentally different sets of parts.
One with holes, the other with pimples!
Summary of the previous part: Lego against the Soviet designer. (Part 1) Car.
Continued in the third part Life after the designer.
We continue the comparison
Many designers boast of the ability to build cool cranes. They even print on boxes. My father also began my acquaintance with the metal constructor from a crane.
Terms of Reference:
1. Gantry crane.
2. Manual control.
3. The widest possible functionality, like a real one.
It turned out like this:
Lego.
Traditional problems with the implementation of moving elements and mechanisms. Everything that can be somehow adapted is used. Wow, I messed up.
The model cannot be controlled. Everything crumbles right in your hands. So I want to take and glue. But they say that Lego has a series of Technicians, which allows you to implement the most daring engineering ideas (Now Lego owes me a lot of money for this ad!). But this is for older people. And not cheap.
In general, we succeeded.:
Moving carriage, hook on pulley system.
I inserted a piece similar to a ratchet into the hook lifting mechanism so that the hook would not fall.
You can understand the design of the crane from this model. Understand Newton's third law. It's impossible to play for fun.
Metal.
My Soviet designer has thinned out quite a bit over the years. For the experiment, additional emission of parts was necessary. Where to get - unknown. At least rent it. The fact that “Recommended for labor lessons” is only good for ruining engineering fantasy. After all, they save on everything, the capitalists. Need help from the past. I asked my dad (oh, how he didn’t want to give it back!) A real rarity:
Made in the GDR. The photo is not mine.
The socialist countries lived together, the East German came to the aid of the Soviet designer. The result was a joint project of the USSR-GDR "Friendship". And what? The Lego box over there also has parts from Chinese substitutes!
Managed:
The enviable carrying capacity is limited only by the strength of the thread.
It turned out even to make the console.
Do you recognize the handsome man from the first part? Only on new wheels. The old ones went to the gantry crane carriage.
control mechanism.
A simple rubber washer is used to brake the hook. By the way, there is plenty of space to plug in electric motors and gearboxes for mechanization of work.
It is played, do not drag it by the ears.
Conclusions.
Today's experiment, in view of the unexpected (for me) information about the existence of Lego Technic, cannot be considered clean enough. I think next time I'll see what it is. The usual Lego today loses to the Metal constructor in functional abilities.
Reflections on the topic.
Lego is beautiful and easy to use. The pioneer himself is drawn to him. The metal constructor scares an unprepared child. Nuts, tools... It's just that it's not interesting, it seems complicated. Here it is very necessary that dad help, get interested, show how great and simple everything is here.
I remember from my childhood, and I am sure that many will support me: creating toys for yourself is much more interesting than playing with them later. Being engaged in the designer, the child receives engineering skills that cannot be grasped theoretically. This is absorbed into the blood along with design practice. Pay attention to the development of children's accuracy. Whatever the version of the designer, an ill-conceived model does not hold the load, loses stability, stops and does not go, in a word, does not forgive technical mistakes. They still need to be removed. The child learns to bring things to the end and control the results of their work. The gouging won't go away.
The question "Which is better, Lego, or Soviet designer?" I close. These are too different things. They should coexist, not conflict. They are pursuing a common goal. Children's construction sets are just a step to real adult construction. You can not stop at iron, or plastic. Lego - Lego Technician - Metal constructor - Independent production of parts - Independent production of materials and further, if only resting on the laws of physics. Having stagnated at any stage, potential Kulibin may not grow further.
Next time I will talk about life after children's designers, when a young technician opens his own horizons.
Edition of the Cyrillic segment of LiveJournal
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