UGEARS Wooden Marble Run 3D Puzzle - Wood Marble Run Stepped Hoist with 3-Stepped Lift 3D Wooden Puzzles for Adults - DIY Crafts for Adults - Model Kits For Adults To Build - 355 Pcs

I bought a pair of these so that I could link them as advertised. This linkage works very well, but is the only flimsy element, and care is need in moving the complete assembly. Otherwise I have nothing but praise for this complex and ingenious construction. It's certainly very complex, and therefore not at all suitable for a beginner in this type of thing, but as long as you take care in sanding down the odd break-off point where a piece is detached from its framework, and use plenty of candlewax (supplied) to grease the moving parts, it goes togther very well indeed. The intructions are very clear indeed, and highly commendable, and the accuracy of the design is awesome. .Best of all, it comes from the Ukraine, and therefore buying it will help to support their industry and their economy - I hope that both survive the attempt to destroy them. I've already bought other models in the series and am looking forward to getting stuck in.

Ugears get better and better.Superb accuracy of parts- an engineering marvel. A satisfying level of complexity if you like the 3D modelling side. I like the way that Ugears uses slightly different thicknesses of ply so that there is strength where needed.A couple of minor points- a couple of the guidance pictures are tricky to follow- but that is the 3D challenge. You have to 'adjust' the physics of the mechanism a bit to keep the model working consistently but that is problem solving.The wax is essential to keep the mechanisms smooth- an extra stick of wax would help- don't use candle wax as it is too 'sticky'. The wax provided is very soft.All in all highly recommended.

My son really enjoyed making one of these so bought a second and asked for more models for Christmas. He's 9 (but very good at doing this kind of thing) and manages to make them well mainly independently. I'd think the age advice of 14+ is about right for most, or maybe 12+, as it requires focus on instructions and nimble but strong fingers and delicacy too. We've had a few parts break, but have mainly been able to glue them to fix. However ugears happily posted us some spare parts when we contacted them with part numbers when our fixes hadn't been enough. Lovely to have something to make that can be played with and no plastic involved!

This is great fun, but a bit of a challenge to build. It's not for a young child, but a teenager who has spent time doing art and craft, and lego should have no problem. Some of the pieces can be very tight (and small) which can be an issue if they have to be removed, so a point-nosed pliers might be needed time to time.

Bought this as a present for my wife, who has made one or two of this type of model before. Several evenings of assembly produced an entertaining device that our grandson finds fascinating. This is not a "one evening and done" puzzle. It is something that takes a while, and is very rewarding.

I have to commend Ugears on the design and execution of this exquisite model.I’m a 72 year-old child and long term Lego Technics builder and find the design of these wooden models as exciting, if not more exciting than Lego. While Lego is constrained by a finite number of manufactured pieces, with laser-cut ply, there are no such restrictions. Any part or shape the designer needs can easily be manufactured.I have previously built several very complex models from Ugears (and others) with varying levels of success, satisfaction and frustration. I can say, without reservation, that this is the most satisfying and ultimately playable model I have built. I’ve ordered the other “linkable” marble run model as a Christmas present (the Step Hoist) so I’m looking forward to building, linking and playing with the combined results during the cold winter days to come.

The marble run works perfectly.There was an incident of a broken part due to the cat sitting on the part, so I had to glue it together, but other than that it was very good.You need to be careful when releasing parts, a good sharp craft knife will do this - DO NOT try to just pop the parts out by hand. Some of the clip together joints are tight (they need to be), so this is quite punishing on your finger and thumb ends...I suggest an hour or two, then leave off for a day. Total assembly is about four to six hours, but you MUST follow the instructions and each step carefully.I was actually well impressed.Not sure I can finance another one (or especially another 3), but I'm intrigued to see how an assembly of four would work.From previous experience, the elastic bands supplied break down in sunlight very quickly, but for this model they're not massively necessary so that's not so much a worry.

This is my third Marble run from UGears and the worst. Due to its construction it makes it hard to turn the handle as on doing it the whole frame moves jamming the gears each turn making it unplayable. Also even if you struggle to do it or turn it by hand the marble run is very disappointing. I would like to add that the other two Runs I have are perfect and would highly recommend them