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 was a stocking stuffer for my son's Christmas. He really liked it.

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.

Very small, but super awesome! There are complaints about it being difficult to put together, but I had never done one of these and got it put together in about an hour.

As long as u don't go at it like a bull in a China shop it's super easy to get the pieces out without snips if you don't have any. Just be aware that if you have to twist the pieces at all, it could warp them and the ship could be misshapen when it’s all finished. It does take longer that way without snips though. I love how it looks when it's finished! It's so metallic and detailed and it fits in the palm of my hand. I actually put it in a dollhouse and I set it up to look like the kids art project! It was the perfect size!! Not hard to put together, me and my husband did it in a night and had fun doing it. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I highly recommend!

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.

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.

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.