Ugears - Roadster VM-01

I had a lot of fun building this model. As others have said, you must follow the instructions exactly. The provided sandpaper and candle stub are essential, use them for every step. I had some trouble sometimes - I'm 74 and my vision is not 20/20 anymore - so a magnifying glass and miniature flashlight came in handy. Only after I finished it did I discover that you can download a pdf of the manual and enlarge the pages on your computer! Also, they say no tools - if you have a grip of iron and very strong fingers - I found I needed a small hammer, a small pair of pliers to squeeze some parts together, and a sharp penknife to cut the toothpicks.During the build I broke a part (99). UGears sent me a free replacement (actually 2 of them), but mail from the Ukraine is ... MoreI had a lot of fun building this model. As others have said, you must follow the instructions exactly. The provided sandpaper and candle stub are essential, use them for every step. I had some trouble sometimes - I'm 74 and my vision is not 20/20 anymore - so a magnifying glass and miniature flashlight came in handy. Only after I finished it did I discover that you can download a pdf of the manual and enlarge the pages on your computer! Also, they say no tools - if you have a grip of iron and very strong fingers - I found I needed a small hammer, a small pair of pliers to squeeze some parts together, and a sharp penknife to cut the toothpicks.During the build I broke a part (99). UGears sent me a free replacement (actually 2 of them), but mail from the Ukraine is not too swift so I had to wait a month for it to arrive. Customer service was very responsive during this process.The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I would really prefer not to have to tie and cut the rubber bands to make the small ones. I would happily pay extra to get custom made ones for the various sizes.The photo shows this model next to the LEGO Lamborghini Sian that I built a while ago. It has 3,696 pieces, but none as small as some of the ones from this model, and cost a heck of a lot more money.I just ordered two more UGears models, the Cabriolet, and the Grand Prix, and can't wait to get going - great winter activity.

This was gift from my son, my first u gears kit. I am a wooden model ship kit builder with advanced intermediate experience. This kit is exceedingly well conceived and engineered. Straightforward instructions that took me about 18-20 hours to build (I am meticulous and sand off the burrs, etc.). To my delight it even works; I confess I was a bit skeptical about a working car made of plywood!. I did have one problem. There is a clip (#36) that secures the wheels to their axles. Everything OK with the rear wheels, but when I attempted to slip part #36 into part #111, the front axles, the tip of the axle shattered -- not only on one side but on both sides. I would have requested the replacement parts from you and tried to fix it, but I did not realize you required a ... MoreThis was gift from my son, my first u gears kit. I am a wooden model ship kit builder with advanced intermediate experience. This kit is exceedingly well conceived and engineered. Straightforward instructions that took me about 18-20 hours to build (I am meticulous and sand off the burrs, etc.). To my delight it even works; I confess I was a bit skeptical about a working car made of plywood!. I did have one problem. There is a clip (#36) that secures the wheels to their axles. Everything OK with the rear wheels, but when I attempted to slip part #36 into part #111, the front axles, the tip of the axle shattered -- not only on one side but on both sides. I would have requested the replacement parts from you and tried to fix it, but I did not realize you required a photo of the problem part. I carefully drilled a very fine hole in each front axle and fixed the wheels with two thumb tacks. Works well and looks OK. It's probably just as well I didn't attempt a major disassembly of the roadster and risk ruining something else! In short, I congratulate you on a fine product and would perhaps recommend you consider a slightly larger and sturdier axle and perhaps even pin #36. I suspect you could make the axle 5 or 6 mm x 7 mm instead of 4 x 5 mm. You would know best. I am not an engineer, but I am a surgeon -- accustomed to delicate work with my hands -- so I suspect to be not the only one with the problem regarding part #111 (the front axle). Thank you for a fun experience.

This is the second UGears model I've built. (The first was a Disney-themed locomotive). I bought the Roadster as a birthday present to myself. I'm still impressed by how well the laser-cutting of the wooden parts works out. The engineering that goes into these is pretty amazing; after some confusion about how to wind it properly (I finally watched the end of the assembly video), it works like a champ. Running it across the floor wasn't my priority in building the model, but I'm impressed with how well it works. I'm very grateful that they included the candle wax and a sheet of sandpaper with the kit, because those are definitely a must-have. As other reviewers have noted, it's sometimes hard to figure out which sheet contains the part that you are looking for, ... MoreThis is the second UGears model I've built. (The first was a Disney-themed locomotive). I bought the Roadster as a birthday present to myself. I'm still impressed by how well the laser-cutting of the wooden parts works out. The engineering that goes into these is pretty amazing; after some confusion about how to wind it properly (I finally watched the end of the assembly video), it works like a champ. Running it across the floor wasn't my priority in building the model, but I'm impressed with how well it works. I'm very grateful that they included the candle wax and a sheet of sandpaper with the kit, because those are definitely a must-have. As other reviewers have noted, it's sometimes hard to figure out which sheet contains the part that you are looking for, although the instructions are in general excellent. I also broke 3 pieces during the course of assembly (a couple of these just seem too small for the load they have to carry), and UGears supplied replacement parts immediately free of charge. I couldn't be happier with the appearance of the finished model, and my only complaint is that you can't see the engine running with the hood on. I'm looking forward to building another model soon.

I assembled the U9 and the Cobra. This was my third UGEARS kit. All three were perfect in their presentations, the quality of the kits, and the fit and finish of the parts. The manuals are a 9 out of 10, causing me to stumble only a few times, especially when I got tired. Each puzzle has "personality" and each took me about 15-20 hours to assemble correctly. I must be really getting old after reading some reviews where the person put these together is less than half the time. The weak link in the finished products is the drive mechanism, although the Cobra seems the best and strongest. The rubber band drives are good with the gears, but the U9 cranking is marginal, and the Roadster levers are sloppy and poorly fit, although they do work. All three are proudly on my ... MoreI assembled the U9 and the Cobra. This was my third UGEARS kit. All three were perfect in their presentations, the quality of the kits, and the fit and finish of the parts. The manuals are a 9 out of 10, causing me to stumble only a few times, especially when I got tired. Each puzzle has "personality" and each took me about 15-20 hours to assemble correctly. I must be really getting old after reading some reviews where the person put these together is less than half the time. The weak link in the finished products is the drive mechanism, although the Cobra seems the best and strongest. The rubber band drives are good with the gears, but the U9 cranking is marginal, and the Roadster levers are sloppy and poorly fit, although they do work. All three are proudly on my bookshelves and stand out as very beautiful and creative works of modeling art. I'm thinking I'll get another U9, sand and paint/color every piece. Wow, that will be a great way to present a "before and after" model. Retirement is wonderful.

This is my second kit I have built. Gaining experience from the first to the second certainly made life easier in building but as a retired person, I spent every day working for at least an hour. UGears has totally thought these kits out. Book sometimes caused me pause but patience figured the process out. Love the kits, preparing to order another.

Build in progress

I am about 3/4 of my way through the build. so far, I have encountered two issues:- many of the toothpicks are too small for some holes. I keep finding cut picks on my desk, causing me to hunt for the empty hole. Either the picks are too small or the holes are too large;- trying to tie elastic bands to the right dimension is very challenging. I have had to retie many of the bands in order to get a tight fit. In fact, the instructions do not indicate that the bands must be taut or mention the bands at all.- the parts are easy to separate from the boards. Any broken pieces have been repaired using carpenter glue.- some of the diagrams do not clearly show how the pieces are to fit. For example, on page 24, images 6 and 7, the pictures do not clearly show how ... MoreI am about 3/4 of my way through the build. so far, I have encountered two issues:- many of the toothpicks are too small for some holes. I keep finding cut picks on my desk, causing me to hunt for the empty hole. Either the picks are too small or the holes are too large;- trying to tie elastic bands to the right dimension is very challenging. I have had to retie many of the bands in order to get a tight fit. In fact, the instructions do not indicate that the bands must be taut or mention the bands at all.- the parts are easy to separate from the boards. Any broken pieces have been repaired using carpenter glue.- some of the diagrams do not clearly show how the pieces are to fit. For example, on page 24, images 6 and 7, the pictures do not clearly show how assemblies 101 (instruction 2) and 101-103 (instruction 5) fit to the slots in part 99; the instructions 2 and 3 are also not explanatory. My review of the structures led me to believe how they should fit.In spite of the foregoing, the build has been challenging and fun. At this time in the pandemic, a very pleasant time-waster. I will be looking for another challenge.

Perfect gift!

I bought the race car model for my husband for his birthday. He enjoys model-building, likes race cars, and loves truly uniquely-crafted items. This one was all that! It is a challenging model--he's been working on it for a couple of weeks now, but he is really enjoying it. The laser-cut wood pieces are precise and fit well. It's very cool-looking, and really amazing to see it moving when all the gears engage.

Very Challenging

I received the motorcycle model as a gift and was instantly hooked on Ugears kits. If you are looking for a challenging project to keep you busy during the cold winter this is it and you won't be disappointed. The engine was cleverly designed and fun to assemble and the wheels and body are pretty cool tool. There are a lot of very small parts to handle and other parts that can be easily broken if you aren't patient, careful and generous with the wax to assist with assembly. I broke a couple but they were easily repaired with a little Gorilla wood glue so it wasn't a problem. Unlike the motorcycle this kit came with wax and a tool used to measure the toothpick pins but also handy for punching out the smaller parts. There are plenty of extra toothpicks and extra ... MoreI received the motorcycle model as a gift and was instantly hooked on Ugears kits. If you are looking for a challenging project to keep you busy during the cold winter this is it and you won't be disappointed. The engine was cleverly designed and fun to assemble and the wheels and body are pretty cool tool. There are a lot of very small parts to handle and other parts that can be easily broken if you aren't patient, careful and generous with the wax to assist with assembly. I broke a couple but they were easily repaired with a little Gorilla wood glue so it wasn't a problem. Unlike the motorcycle this kit came with wax and a tool used to measure the toothpick pins but also handy for punching out the smaller parts. There are plenty of extra toothpicks and extra elastic bands incase they're needed. I haven't been able to get it to work yet but that isn't why I bought it anyway. I highly recommend using small wire cutters to cut the toothpick pins, way easier than using a knife. Next up is the fire truck I think.

We can’t wait!

The motorcycle was purchased as a gift for my son. We haven’t sat to put it together because of an ongoing debate. Technically he’s too young (7) to put it together so I said we’ll need to wait until we both have a day to work on it. His argument is he’s put together 2 of these, similar kits, by himself and he doesn’t need me. So, right now it sits and I bring up the subject frequently. Eventually we will have it together! I can’t wait!

a vary great model project! fun for ages 9-99

some of the parts can brake easy while building, but are solidly repaired with glue. there are a few places that may need to be glued as well to keep parts on, or fill in the gaps in the hood a bit better where its needed.the motor pistons sometimes.. sorta work i guess, they stick sometimes but free there self's, good sanding helps little, maybe make them heavier somehow? i added some grease after building, along with the candle wax from the kit to help it run better. your fingers may be a little sore from pushing parts on, but its worth it to build this really nice model that actually looks about as nice as it dues on the box or ads! i really like the inside details as well, the dashboard is pretty cool, has a working steering wheel that turns the wheels, witch i ... Moresome of the parts can brake easy while building, but are solidly repaired with glue. there are a few places that may need to be glued as well to keep parts on, or fill in the gaps in the hood a bit better where its needed.the motor pistons sometimes.. sorta work i guess, they stick sometimes but free there self's, good sanding helps little, maybe make them heavier somehow? i added some grease after building, along with the candle wax from the kit to help it run better. your fingers may be a little sore from pushing parts on, but its worth it to build this really nice model that actually looks about as nice as it dues on the box or ads! i really like the inside details as well, the dashboard is pretty cool, has a working steering wheel that turns the wheels, witch i don't remember reading about online (steering wheel hardly turns, but it dues the job just fine). if i remember right, there are 16 rubber bands in the winder, pretty crazy! the more you run it the better it will work, it needs tuning, tweaking and running in for the best results possible. you will have a few spare parts, tooth pick like parts, and extra rubber bands, the more you conserve them, the more you have left over (you trim and tie them to the right sizes, or if you choose, use scrap from others you alreadycut to help conserve them). i will be trying more of there models. this one was fun to build, and looks vary good for something that was made by sheets of wood nailed together with toothpicks. hope this review was plenty detailed! :D