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About our models and kits
All our kits are professionally engineered, designed and manufactured in the USA. We use
100% hardwoods, and each part is precision carved by computer controlled
machinery for a guaranteed fit and accuracy.
Our design process starts with extensive research into the history and function of an item. Then we keep five objectives in mind 1: The finished model must be functional. if it doesn't work, and work well, then we don't want to make it. 2: It must be easy to put together. 3: It should look fantastic. and 4: We optimize the manufacturing process to keep the cost of the kit as low as possible (without sacrificing any of the first three objectives), and lastly, is it something we can be proud of.
To do all that, we make countless sketches, 3D computer models, physical prototypes and revision after revision after revision until finally, we have a product we like. Then we start writing the instructions.
About our instructions
All of our instructions are written and edited by professional technical writers who are also model makers. We build the models three or four different ways until we work out the easiest and best ways to assemble the kits. Each step of the way is professionally photographed, including which parts to use, what the model looks like before, and after the parts are assembled.
More than just an assembly guide, our instructions are often peppered with useful tips, historical information, advanced techiques and in many cases, relevant physics and mathematical information too.
What You Get with our kits
In addition to all the necessary hardware and instructions, each of
our kits comes as one or more "panels" of wood - a panel is a natural plank of wood, with each part
carved out by a computer, except for a thin sliver of wooden "skin" which holds the parts to the plank. The skin is only about
15 to 20 thousandths of an inch thick (about the thickness of three sheets of notebook paper.)
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Just hold the panel up to a sunny window. The sunlight passes through the skin of wood to expose the outlines of the parts. All you have to do is trace the outlines on the back of the panel, then cut through the panel with a utility knife. If there's any excess skin on the edges of the parts, it's easy to trim it off with ordinary household scissors.
Sanding is not usually necessary, but some parts may fit together better if the corners are rounded off a little bit with medium sandpaper or a file. This is not a manufacturing error, these are by design so that the model builder has an opportunity to fine-tune the appearance of some details.
Once separated, the pieces are easy to identify from the photos in the instructions. Our instructions are highly detailed, filled with photos of every step of the construction process and often including tips, tricks and even advanced techniques in some cases. We also usually include historical information, basic physics relevant to the model and other interesting notes.
What you'll need
You'll only have to supply the tools and some wood glue to complete the kits.
The tools you'll need are only the ones mentioned above- scissors, a utility knife, and pencil, plus a ruler and optionally sandpaper and/or a file. Clamps are useful to hold parts together while the glue dries, but we also show you how to use rubber bands if you don't have any clamps. All these tools are available at most home improvement and hardware stores.
If the kit requires any string, twine, dowels, leather, screws, bolts, wheels, or other special
parts, they'll be included in the box too. You won't need to supply any other materials to complete the project.
More information
Since our kits are all made from solid hardwood, they can be beautifully finished with stains, finishing wax or oils for a truly museum quality display model. But not only do they look good, when constructed properly all our kits are fully functional, working models (except, of course, for our Perpetual Motion machine which is historically accurate but alas, scientifically impossible.)
Once completed, the modeler will have a truly unique item that he built himself. A source of pride and accomplishment for all to see and admire.