Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Meccano (and why metal)?
At its heart, Meccano is a system of reusable metal parts – strips, girders, plates, wheels, gears, and more – which are connected using nuts and bolts. It was invented in England by Frank Hornby in 1901 (originally called “Mechanics Made Easy”). The genius of metal is its durability and precision. Unlike plastic, metal allows for intricate, strong, and highly functional models. You can build actual working mechanisms that wouldn’t hold up in lighter materials. It’s miniature engineering, right in your hands!
How do you build with it? Do I need special tools?
Building with Meccano is wonderfully straightforward! You simply choose the parts you need, align the holes, insert a bolt, and then secure it with a nut. That’s it!
And yes, you’ll need one or two small spanners (wrenches) and sometimes a screwdriver to tighten everything properly. Most Meccano sets come with these basic tools, so you’re usually ready to go straight out of the box. The focus is on precision and dexterity, not brute force.
What kinds of things can you make with Meccano?
Oh, the possibilities are virtually endless! Meccano is known for its incredible versatility. You can build:
- Vehicles: Cars, trucks, trains, diggers, cranes, airplanes, motorcycles.
- Structures: Bridges, towers, buildings, ferris wheels.
- Robots & Mechanisms: Simple robotic arms, working engines, gearboxes, clockwork devices.
- Even animals or abstract sculptures!
The beauty is that the same set of pieces can be dismantled and reassembled into a completely different creation, again and again