A minor bit of sightings news for those who like to make kits – a line of Transformers Metal Earth kits are currently being found at US retail. The metal build-it-yourself kits advertise that they can be assembled without glue or solder – though feedback suggests that you may still want to make use of a little glue on some parts. There are four in the line – Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and Soundwave.
These were spotted at a Hastings in Ponca City, Oklahoma – thanks to TFW member MnemonicSyntax for the heads up.
olevelo
This is my 3rd Metal Earth build (first Transformer), and definitely toughest! I didn't clock in and out, but spent a few hours at a time across 3-4 days over the last week to build him. I did have one breakage, literally 3 pieces from the finish! Was able to super-glue it back seamlessly though. They can be a pain, but fun to build!
DesertDog
I've done two of these so far, a biplane that took about an hour or so, and Soundwave, at about 2 1/2-3 hours. I have Prime and Megatron still in package waiting for me to get off my ass. I'll be getting Bee and the P-51 Mustang next. Then a few Star Wars, the TIE Fighter and X-wing at least, probably the Falcon as well.
Definitely not for the mechanically disinclined or folks with bad eyes and shaky hands. And proper tools are a must. I found a pair of scissor type tweezers in the grocery store among the emery boards, nail clippers and such, that are perfect for this kind of stuff.
gbm
That came out great though!
koonfasa
Yeah but quite rewarding if you don't mess it up. I got one a few years ago, and thought I'd buy a couple as gifts. Decided to finally try the one I was given to see what they are like before I gave those others away and well I really don't think they were suitable for who I intended…
They're neat, but took me three hours and not really my thing. Not for little kids or people who don't have the patience for modelling.
(sorry not TF, but was trying to find out more about these in general and best I could find was this thread and Amazon reviews)
gbm
Wow….what a great way to spend a snowed in weekend.
This was not easy. lol
gbm
allllmoooost theeeeere……
gbm
Snowed in on Saturday morning, what better time to start this tedious, time consuming project than NOW!?
Well, 45 in minutes, I managed to finish Soundwave's left leg. Eeeeeeek, THIS is not for people who get overly frustrated….I suggest getting some proper tools too. (like I posted a few posts up)
Otherwise, this is awesome. So much fun to watch it come together…its like dropping a bunch of Tetris shapes into the form of a Transformer. Fun stuff.
gettin' there:
dCon
Wow man that architecture looks fantastic with Thundercracker standing above it. Its almost in perfect scale ….awesome!
Woah! Another Ben Franklin's!? I thought we had the only one lol and yea I remember they were always expensive. Guess it doesn't change state to state
I've seen pictures of your TakaraTomy Dual/Deluxe model kit Optimus' they look good I'd love to see pictures of your micro model metal earth prime Soundwave Megatron & bee
DarkProwler
I got the Optimus Prime for Christmas. He does look good, but was a real pain to put together. His left upper leg and the end of his gun snapped off from bending the metal too much, trying to get everything into position. I had to look a few steps ahead each time to see how everything connected, then figure out the best way to get it all in there and close the part out without breaking it. I wouldn't mind getting Soundwave or Megatron to go with him. Hopefully a second time building would go better
gbm
Just ordered this tool set made specifically for these; can't wait to get busy on the 4 kits I got for Xmas!
Fascinations Metal Earth Tool Kit – – Amazon.com
Timothy.R
i love putting these things together. i usually have time to waste at night, so, it's fun to put them together.
i've learned that it's best to look through the directions just so you get a feel for how everything is going to come together.
i use a small pair of pliers, tweezers, and jewelry cutters.
i really wish they'd make more transformers sets.
to be honest though, i think the star wars ships tend to turn out better and are a bit easier to put together. though, the tie fighter is a pain in the ass.
the worst thing about these sets is how small the margin of error is. that's why i suggest skimming through the directions. the perforations will only withstand a couple folds.
no problem. there's no reason someone with an AC moore in their area should be paying full price for these lol.
TransfanG1
These things look great but are a pain in the ass to put together and are wicked time consuming. Also a bit fragile so be careful if you're gonna attempt these!
gbm
Even more awesome! Thanks for the info man.
Aernaroth
These things are neat. I may pick one up.
Timothy.R
These things are fantastic.. Some are better than others. The transformers ones are pretty nice but the Star Wars ones are great.. Especially the falcon, star destroyer, and kylo ren's shuttle.
Right now I'm building the bigger colored iron man. So far it looks great, then onto war machine. After that I'm going to do the imperial shuttle, then slave 1, then the at-st which looks awesome.
Also.. If you have an AC Moore in your area, they carry these and almost always have a 50% off coupon on their website. So, I've gotten most of them for $6.88 and some for less because I have a family member who works there. And on Friday they had a 60% off coupon so I got the iron man kit for $7 and change.
gbm
Old thread….but I just saw these in the store yesterday so it's NEW to me. lol
What a cool idea.
An absolute perfect stocking stuffer for Xmas…..I've already forwarded links to all four to the Mrs. for me.
I love getting lost in multiple hour long projects with teeny parts….I can't wait!
*they're soooooo shiny!*
knightmare6
I saw a few Megatron kits at the St. Mark's Comics booth last weekend at Special Edition NYC
ArchAngelz
Wife just found these for 14.99 each at Ben Franklin's craft store in Monroe Washington
Smashs
Just grabbed the set of 4 for $7.50 each online.
steelsalami
These are absolute nightmares. One wrong move and you are reduced to broken sheet metal. I have tried these, and you REALLY need to have a slow/steady hand.