Smithsonian Motor Works Model Engine with plastic case

12/03/2008

By:

Bill McKelvy

Memphis,TN

I bought this kit for our four 8 to 10 year old grandchildren a year ago for Christmas 2007 with the intention of building it with them as a teaching opportunity and a learning experience. Instead it proved to be a study in frustration for several reasons,the three biggest being:1. The kit's many parts are held together by MANY screws. However the screws provided were all too large in diameter for the screw holes cast into the model,demanding that each hole be carefully reamed out with an electric drill in order for the screws to go in without stripping. The plastic is so hard that even a tiny misjudgment results in either the holes being reamed oversize and the screws no longer gripping or undersize and the screw heads getting stripped trying to screw them in.2. the instructions were unclear at several critical points. The cam shaft and rocker arm assembly instructions were particularly poor.3. the screw driver provided was a joke and quickly began slipping and stripped out screw heads until I replaced it with a proper one,though even then,without reaming,the screw heads would strip before the screws would go in. There were other smaller disappointments but the screw problem reduced a great idea into a study in frustration and disappointment.

05/25/2008

By:

  JGL

Oak Lawn,IL

We started out a little bit frustrated because the directions were missing several pages and we were missing one small piece. But,the customer service response was outstanding - they quickly gave us everything that we needed and they were a real pleasure to deal with. Then we got started,and my 8-year-old son and I had a great time working together building the engine. It was a great experience for both of us and we plan to use Smithonian's products to do more projects like this in the future.

01/02/2008

By:

  Janice G

Edmonton,Alberta

My 9 year old put this together in a couple of days with his dad. It was a great project for the two of them. An adult is required as we found you had to use an exacto knife or box cutter to smooth out some of the plastic edges after taking them off the plastic form. My son loves it and is taking it to show and tell at school. Excellent product,clear instructions,and a great learning opportunity.

11/30/2007

By:

  DG

Redwood City,CA

This motor works engine kit kept my 9 year old engrossed for hours at a time when he was building it. Very cool plus he learned a lot. Discover This is a great store.

11/30/2007

By:

  PAS

Sterling,VA

Great Kit. Highly suggest that adult lead in the building/deciphering of instructions. Instructions sometimes unclear. A Hotline number is given and the help given there is Super! I lost a piece and they sent me the replacement. Finished product is an excellent internal combustion engine demo!