Children's iron constructor. Models from metal constructors Machines from an iron constructor instruction

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 constructor is universal, then the book will indicate several options assembly 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:

1. By size. Play sets are divided into large ones, which have an impressive number of parts (their assembly takes a considerable 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).
2. 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.
3. 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 various parts in different mechanisms.

If parents buy their son his first metal constructor, it is better to start with more simple options with few details. 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 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.
• Kits introduce the child to elementary male work around the house: work with a screwdriver, nuts, screws, threads.
• Pronounced male character toys.

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 assembled.

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 details made it possible to make everything that a boyish soul desires from the designer: various aircraft, cars, helicopters, 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:

1. "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 level technical complexity. Metal parts - colored. Production - Russia.
2. "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.
3. 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. Completed wrench and a screwdriver. Production - Great Britain.
4. Meccano. Constructor with a high degree detailing and elaboration technical nodes their 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 metal constructors

When choosing a metal construction set, consider not only the age category for which it is designed, but also individual characteristics 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.

All children, from the very early age and also many adults like to build various structures from constructor. There are currently a huge number of various variations of this game - the well-known Lego sets and its analogues of Russian and foreign manufacturers, a metal constructor that came to us from Soviet times, magnetic, wooden and others. Most toys of this kind are equipped with a set of diagrams that show which models can be folded from the available figures. In this article, we will tell you about what can be done from the details of the designer, putting the diagram aside and showing quite a bit of imagination.

What can be done from the Lego constructor?

Lego is one of the most popular trademarks designers. On sale there is an incredible number of different sets for children of any age, both boys and girls. In addition, there are quite a lot of similar logic games from Russian and foreign manufacturers.

From Lego figures, children can build simply amazing figures - buildings, cars, planes, trains. Large sets are designed to build entire cities or farms. In addition, from a small number of parts you can make something useful and undoubtedly original, for example, a cup for toothbrushes or a gift box.

What to make of

No less popular, at all times, remains a metal constructor, often used in labor lessons at school. Usually, from its parts, the guys assemble models of tanks, planes and helicopters, cars and ATVs. Having shown imagination, you can build anything from the details of a metal designer - from small elements to full-size models.

Hello friends. Haven't reviewed crafts for a long time. creative people. 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 is homemade parts, these are door hinges, 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. Though lifting mechanism this 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 parts maybe I'll 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 the usual aerosol can With alkyd enamel for internal and external works It turned out not bad, in my opinion.

This is how I remember my childhood. Light, including due to the abundance interesting technique and iron around. Parents, especially dad, from small nails surrounded me very much. interesting things- then the engine from the Cossack to kitchen table, then a color tube TV disassembled for repair, then Mriya's portable radiogram, which could play gramophone records in the air. But most importantly, my parents sometimes bought me various interesting designers. And the set "Electrical engineering in 200 experiments" was the most memorable for me.

Photo from the Virtual Museum and Directory - Domestic Radio Engineering of the 20th century

Now, unfortunately, they do not do such things, including abroad. I constantly look at the shelves of stores with toys both in our country and when I travel around Europe. There is nothing like it. And this constructor was good because it combined a lot of different parts and components from which it was possible to assemble both toys and conduct entertaining physical and electrical experiments. For example, it was possible to assemble a telegraph.

Photo from Made in Leningrad community

Or an electric motor-fan, or a home-made galvanic battery, in general, the designer corresponded to the name - you could collect two hundred unique crafts, not counting your own ones.

And now, when my son is growing up, I also want to surround him with interesting technical things. And one of them is such a constructor. I don’t want to buy incomplete used ones 30 years ago, because incomplete sets are a tragedy :) Yes, and it’s almost impossible to find it at flea markets. But it is quite possible to assemble something similar from the available parts, and without much effort.

First, the base, the usual inexpensive metal construction kits that you can still buy in toy stores.

And secondly, what will enliven this constructor, will add movement. These are motors, wires and batteries. Where to take them? Ha, I'm sure if you have children, you know what Chinese toys are. They are certainly bought as a gift to children by both parents and grandmothers, acquaintances, guests of parents. All these flying dogs, jumping cars, barking planes - all this breaks down in an hour (day, week) and flies into the trash. But in my case they fly into the trash only after extracting the main treasure from them :)

Engines direct current. Taking into account the fact that I have four children growing up, this wealth has accumulated a lot. How can these motors help? But what. Somehow a couple of years ago, my son and I were tinkering with my tools and I suddenly suggested to him, let's assemble a car from a stick. Who wouldn't agree to this? We took a piece of some kind of bar, a motor, nails, a AAA battery and bungled it in 30 minutes.

From nails and sticks, literally, an unsightly self-propelled toy turned out. The child did not let go of her hands all evening, and then showed to all the guests - "Look, what a limousine we made with dad!" That's when I decided it's time to do things like this on a more serious level. First we put together a windmill, a memorable object from our last trip to Europe.

It turned out so cool that there was only one thing left, to stock up on parts for such crafts in sufficient, industrial quantities :) In the market, I bought all sorts of switches, battery holders, rubber bands. Grandmothers and acquaintances were told that now our best gift- metal constructor. And after a while, my son and I became the owners of the coolest set possible. You could start creating.

Our next craft is an airplane. Twin engine fighter.

Where there is a plane, there is a helicopter. The son built two additional floors on the rotor, so it seemed to him better.

With this helicopter toy, the child played the longest, because the main rotor was easily used as Circular Saw grinders - a lot of things in the house were cut down by a helicopter - to the delight of my mother :)

Now she walks reluctantly, it is necessary to adjust the mechanism.

But immediately after the manufacture of the stepping machine, as her son called her, everyone was very amused with a cheerful tread :)

And the latest of our crafts. To make it, I bought a radio control kit on Aliexpress, a remote control with a receiver, a motor with a gearbox and wheels, a steering servo drive and a motor control scarf. All these things are available on Ali by the shaft of the most different sizes, capacities, opportunities. We made a radio-controlled tricycle with full control - gas, brake, steering.

There are so many fools in this frenzied tricycle that it is difficult to start without slipping. But it is easy to make a police U-turn.

Below is a video of an unequal battle between a mad car and a caterpillar. My son and I collected the caterpillar for an exhibition in kindergarten, there needed a craft from natural material, well, here we have built a real slow caterpillar from coconuts, chestnuts and constructor elements. Due to the slowness of the caterpillar, the video is slightly delayed.

Such wonderful things can be made from an ordinary metal constructor, fragments of old toys and a certain number of purchased parts. The only necessary skill for parents is to be able to solder a little, without it it will be difficult with all these wires, switches and batteries. And, of course, fantasy, but usually children have even more of it than adults, so involve the child, he will tell you what to do.

There is, of course, another way. For example, ready-made Lego sets. Lego has a windmill.

There are all sorts of racing cars and trucks.

In general, Lego has everything, including robots and kits for setting up and programming them.

But personally, I don’t have a soul for Lego. And my son has problems with Lego, once he dropped the toy, and it was shattered into small cubes, it’s very insulting to collect everything again. And Lego costs a lot, especially interactive robotic kits with motors or limited editions of all kinds of starships from Star Wars. Our metal will be more budgetary, even taking into account the purchase of remotes on Ali.

There is also the original metal constructor, Meccano. But again, it is very expensive and it is not easy to get it in our area. Therefore, here is the final photo of our wealth.