MetalEarth 3D Metal Model - Black Pearl Pirate Ship

If you've done laser-cut steel models before: this is not the easiest, but it's certainly not the hardest. It takes a while but isn't too frustrating, just finicky, and the final product is amazing. The model isn't actually bigger when assembled than the simpler ones, just more complex (two sheets of steel parts instead of one).If you haven't done one of these before, be warned, these are not puzzles, but rather small models. You need: needle-nose pliers (while some of them can be done with fingertips only, the Black Pearl is too complex); something round, like a pen, to roll the sails around; and the instructions (difficult to do in the right order otherwise). The results are gorgeous but fragile, suitable for display rather than for playing with.All in all, an hour or two enjoyably spent, and an appealing final product.

This is sort of like the paper cutouts with tabs that you build into animals and such. Except it is cut out of metal. If you aren't puzzle or build minded, this probably wont be your thing - it isn't exactly hard but it has quite a few parts. The tabs that connect the pieces are SMALL and most need to be bent to hold in place. The metal is easy to get out of the sheets by hand and large bends are easy by hand. The tabs are not because they are so small. The best tool I found were tweezers. I suspect anyone that suggested needle nose pliers didnt test anything else - they were much too big. DO NOT bend parts multiple times - they will snap after 3 or 4 bends along same spot. I'm pretty good at this sort of stuff & some of the parts take some time to get into place correctly. Once complete, it makes a model that is display worthy and guests may think it was bought assembled.

BLUF: little parts can break, don't worry just go ahead, make it, and have fun! [it's missing a little piece in the image]It was very simple to make (following the instructions to a t, of course). It was a pleasure to watch it form, and the only "tools" I used were my hands and a pair of rather blunt tweezers. I also want to add that while I broke a couple pieces along the fragile fold lines, I just continued to follow the directions and the end product was very put together!

It takes some skill to put this thing together, but the results are fantastic. There are very tiny tabs, around 0.75mm wide , to fit into tiny slots in order to join the parts together. You then either bend the tabs or twist them to secure the connection. Needless to say a very good set of needle nose pliers (the kind used in jewelry making would be best) and a very good set of eyes (or a good set of magnifying lenses) are of great help. The finished model is 9.5cm (3-3/4") tall when sitting on the base by 10cm (4") long. The instructions show the base as just a rectangle but the ship sits on it better if you bend the sides out some beneath the bow and stern to narrow the structure.Laser cut steel parts that detach surprisingly easy from the parts sheets. The flag might look like it is blowing the wrong way, but closer inspection reveals that the fly is what is attached to the foremast. Yeah, that's the ticket.

I have built 4 of these laser cut models so far and this one was definitely the most fragile feeling. This one was the trickiest to put together so I would highly suggest not starting out with this model first. The stand it comes with does not hold it at all very well like has been mentioned in other reviews but if you are creative you could built a better on out of something else, such as a fake rock perhaps I think would look pretty cool. All in all when complete it does look very neat and was fun to put together. If you like these models and want a challenge I highly suggest getting this one.

I'm torn between my rating - I ultimately gave it 3 stars instead of 4 because of the difficulty it is taking to put it together. I love that this is a ship - which was the deciding factor in buying it - BUT it takes a lot of patience and an extra tool to put it together. When I got it I was so excited to put it together and then keep it on my desk at work, but it isn't working out like that. I had to go out and buy some needle nose pliers and after that I haven't completed it yet. I got so frustrated that I needed to set it aside. The pieces are tiny and very thin you need to take extra caution when removing them from the packaging. I'm sure once I get it completed I would give it a 4 star rating, but until then it will need to only be a 3.

Very challenging for a guy with fat fingers, but I did it and it looks great. Keep in mind the strings are metal and you do not have to feed and wires to the sails. The hull is a bit of a challenge to form and hold at first. Directions are not awesome, but study hard what's there and you will be OK. The model is tiny and is shorter than my computer mouse. With patience, I would say an hour and a half to 2 hours might be needed to accomplish this. You will need small needle-nose pliers and a sharp razor knife. I would not recommend for anyone under a teen trying to do this alone.

As others have stated, it's very easy to break the perforated piece that requires bending. If that happens, it's pretty much ruined. The instructions say to bend the tabs at a 90 degree angle after inserted into the slots. How? The tabs are about 1 mm, and without leverage (impossible for the most critical and delicate connections), there's no way to bend them. That means they are constantly falling out while you work on another connection. I suppose if I had super glue on hand while building this I might have had a chance. But then again I did break that key component, so there's that.Overall, great concept, poor execution. Kudos to those who did manage to get theirs together. Very happy for you but for me this was a total bust and waste of money.