PlayzInline 6 Engine Model Kit - Build Your Own STEM Inline 6 Small Engine That Runs Kit for Adults & Kids Age 10-12+, Visible Inline 6 Mini Engine Kit That Works for Adult w/ 230 STEM Parts

I’m a homeschooling mama of 5, and This seemed like a cool product for a shop project when the kids didn’t want to work in the real shop since it’s still so hot out. I had my older 2 boys start to put it together. They are 14 and 16 and love to work with real tools in a real shop. They thought it looked nerdy, but I thought it would be a great way for them to learn the inner workings of an engine. Besides the fact that it’s not a combustion engine(obviously, cause it’s plastic!) it seems to operate like a real engine. I loved that they give a quick overview of how the engine will work and a few pictures of how the intake works (pictured). As they started to put it together they got aggravated because it doesn’t have any written instructions. I THOUGHT this would be great since my 14 yo is dyslexic and hates to read, but he pointed out that since no pieces are marked, you have to search through everything to find a specific piece instead of just grabbing the appropriate piece and putting it in place. (Included pictures of instructions and pieces laid out as they come.) After they laid out all the pieces separated from the plastic sheet they were attached to, they could see all the pieces easier, but it would have been better if the pieces or bags were marked in some way for identification purposes. There were a couple instances where they had to figure out which screw to use because it didn’t say which one, and they all look very similar (picture of 2 types of screws included). The main problem with this set is that there are little nubs where you detach the small pieces from the plastic sheet they come on. (Close up picture included) Those little nubs get in the way of putting the tiny pieces in tiny holes. You need to file the nub off to make them fit. After filing the nubs off some of the small dowels still don’t fit quite perfectly into the place they are supposed to, and you have to really jam them in. My boys got board with it and I am now working on finishing it with my 11 and 8 year olds. Overall, I think when it is complete it will be a neat project. I like that the body is translucent so you can see the inner workings as it runs. It is expensive, but if you look at all the other plastic toys around it is comparable in price.

This unit was assembled in a few hours by a mechanically inclined 6 year old with assistance as needed from his mechanical engineer dad. The instructions were clear, everything went together as it should and it served as a confidence builder for this young lad. Pretty successful purchase, IMO.

Bought for my 8-year old grandson. He was assembling it with modest help from his dad and found that there were two of one major part and none of the complementary one. So he was frustrated by not being able to finish.I tried contacting PlayZ using the warranty URL in the package -- but that took me to a page to make an Amazon review [which wasn't as many stars as this one], and then no warranty info at the end. So tried contacting the e-mail address listed at the warranty site. And no response after a couple of days. reviews on Amazon and learned the trick:Contacted PlayZ through the Amazon website and got a very helpful reply within 24 hours. They even did something about the misleading warranty website [they seemed to appreciate that having their warranty link take customers to the Amazon review site probably wasn't the way to get the most positive reviews].My grandson had more confidence in the outcome than I did, and was already checking the mail everyday to see if the replacement had come! PlayZ used expedited shipping so that he didn't have to wait long. My grandson was able to finish the model assembly. When his dad had him call me he was able to tell me about the four strokes of the engine. And seemed quite happy with everything.I did explain to him that this was a model of an internal combustion engine that was about to become obsolete around the time he got his license. It was being replaced by electric motors and batteries -- which was ironically how the model he assembled actually operated. But -- as I should have known -- irony is lost on 8-year olds.Nonetheless, though a bit pricey, the model was fine and is as educational as I hoped. Maybe he will save it so he can someday show his kids/grandkids how automobiles were powered when he was young [to which they will probably just ask: why didn't you just look it up on Wikipedia? -- but by then he will understand irony].

UPDATE:Ok so I want to write an update for this product because It's very possible that I received a defective item. My son and I did have a lot of fun putting together and even thought it broke immediately, Playz went way above and beyond to make this right. I'd say take a chance on this one and if something is wrong be assured that Playz will do what they can to make it right. I will for sure be purchasing from the again.I would not recommend this, poor quality and expensive.I spent a couple of hours building this with my son. We went step by step using the instructions. Once we finally completed the model engine we were both so excited. My son made the honor of starting the engine. At first it seemed to work fine until it started struggling a bit...then the timing belt snapped. I first thought it had only fallen off so I removed the front piece and noticed the belt had broken. The camshaft had also retreated some so one of the camshaft gears fell right off. The other looked more recessed than it should. DO NOT BUY THIS!

This is a great,model to learn about the operating principles of an internal combustion engine.I will admit, however, the customer support team won me as a customer for life. We had an issue with a part and the customer support was on top of it immediately. They rectified the issue in less than 4 days. Thank you PLAYZ!

My 12 year old is very into model engine building and asked for this kit. He has sat intently for hours working on it. A couple parts have failed during the installation. A few he felt weren’t “too” important, but the fan belt snapped with little effort. Not sure if replacement parts are available for purchase.