TIMBERKITSBeam Engine - Wooden Automata Kit

If you do not know what to buy someone who tinkers with gadgets, or fiddles with strange contraptions (or who even builds models?) then this will be a winner. It took me an afternoon to build, but I rush things like this. It could be a passion, and you could spend ages ensuring every joint was glued to perfection and sanded to within an micrometer of perfection. Then there's the painting or staining!It is a well designed kit, though I personally would like it to have operated something better than a very small (simulated) water pump at the front of the main piston. It looks like it was an after-thought as the actual beam engine is exquisite. Of course it is quite possible to be creative and scratch build something yourself!I also used the battery powered base platform, more because it was in all the same material and in keeping with the model than anything else, and this does add to the whole thing, though be warned to build this base first, as it replaces some parts of this model that you would otherwise of glued solidly in place!!

The kit well packed and the parts easily identifiable, how ever the instructions left something to be desired as half of them and the accompanying illustrations related to a mirror image of the model in the box, making the last few stages of construction a mater of trial and error.

My 87 year old father in law enjoyed putting this together, although he did find it a bit frustrating as some of the holes were too short for the relevant dowels. He is a bit picky though as he used to be a joiner !!

Bought for a friend as gift.

Excellent constructional value for dads and kids. Great historical value as well for learning about vintage machinery.Some alignment issues but overall a good kit.