Phil 9 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 My son is nearly 6 but is already spending alot of time on computer games can anyone suggest a toy of a more engineering theme that might hold his attention for a while at least. He seems to prefer cars to planes but any suggestions are welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Lego Technic is brilliant! Maybe you could find some s/h on ebay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevejet66 Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 CAD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 9 Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 I don't really know alot about lego. Technic I imagined it was for older children is that the case? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plummet Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 I was not exposed to Lego as a kid. However I did have access to a certain amount of Meccano. Building with Meccano really does give you an idea of structures and strengths. I never found the same thing later when I met Lego. With Lego you could make things the rightish shape, but the structural integrity of the result did not match that of the structure being modelled. However Meccano now seems to have gone the same way as Lego, and is selling kits that make one or two specific models, rather that allowing imagination to guide the builder. So, if you can find, perhaps at an auction, a nice big box of old Meccano, that is my recommendation. Plummet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 +1 Meccano. Mamod stationary engine. I still have mine. Also have the traction engine...still in the original box. It cost me £12, when I were a lad Edited By cymaz on 25/09/2015 21:03:46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert baker Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 kinetics was the most popular with my lad, They do some brilliant kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Meccano is a bit fiddly for a 6 year old and he might get frustrated with it. Have you looked at Knex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stringer Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 My lad is 8 and learning to fly r/c planes but loves lego...had a technics "buggy" and loves it - great to build. I just got a 3D printer pen so hoping that will grab his attention too but more likely his 6yr old sister will want it!! If anyone has a lego At-At let me know, its on to of his xmas list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Buy him a football. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jez Harris 1 Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Another vote here for KNEX... Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Get him this: Best toy ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 "Mamod stationary engine. I still have mine. Also have the traction engine...still in the original box. It cost me £12, when I were a lad..." I'll give you £15 My dad got me an electronics lab when I was 11, (my grandad also got me the same Mamod engine, Cymaz) I was converted there and then. I was using Meccano at 5yrs... Knex, Lego into Lego technic, anda good few sessions in the workshop may do the trick. Get him to use the full size equipment, under supervision of course - (H&S brigade - no comment) My dad taught me the basics of wood turning when I was 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 9 Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Just bought this on ebay. maybe more for me than the boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Still got mine Phil... from 1968! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 I've got one as well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vecchio Austriaco Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Grew up with Lego and I loved it. Had also Trix (metal construction kit, similar to meccano) but it didn't allow building very quickly and also never had enough parts for the projects I wanted to build. So what happened? Grew up and ended as an engineer. Would have earned much more money as a lawyer or a dentist VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 I think you're wasting your time and money Phil My son is 12 and is just that generation, you have to let them do their thing. It's not all bad, he still plays Sunday league football, and he even bought a drone with his birthday money - no pressure from me! We all had Lego and Mecano because we didn't have Xbox's 😜 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 There are some people who like moving balls round in difficult ways. There are some who like staring at a screen. There are some who like to buy things ready to use But best,there are some who like making things. They all have their points but at least those who like making things tend to be able to fix things which does save some money. and time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 **LINK** Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Posted by Peter Miller on 02/10/2015 21:40:59: There are some people who like moving balls round in difficult ways. There are some who like staring at a screen. There are some who like to buy things ready to use But best,there are some who like making things. They all have their points but at least those who like making things tend to be able to fix things which does save some money. and time. True (and I am a fixer/diyer) , but a lot of those who aren't spend their time making more money and can pay others to do the fixing 😉 Edited By Rich2 on 03/10/2015 22:28:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 9 Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 Posted by Phil 9 on 01/10/2015 21:12:08: Just bought this on ebay. maybe more for me than the boy well the engine arrives and it runs ok and my lad is fascinated with it and so am I I bought this one because it was cheap but it is in very poor condition. it has been badly repainted in non heat resistant paint and the filler plug has been glued on with some form of putty with who knows what damage underneath, I would love to fix it up but I am not sure if it is worth the expense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Oh its worth it. Dismantle it and throw in in a bath of thinners...that will strip the paint off.Clean it all up... spray it with smooth Hammerite..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Chambers Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Useful bookmark http://www.mamodparts.com/ Edited By Tim Chambers on 09/10/2015 20:01:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 9 Posted October 9, 2015 Author Share Posted October 9, 2015 thanks for the link I worry is dismantling it will not be straight forward The main pipe is soldered onto the boiler. The putty is covering the safety valve insert hole and the insert is rolling around inside the boiler I do risk destroying it buy trying to get it apart. It would be nice if I could smarten it up though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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