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Directions for an Erector Set Car

Erector sets, called Meccano in some parts of the world, are made up of small nuts and bolts, as well as beams and bars with corresponding holes. Many of the sets also include sets of wheels and axles, which you can use to make vehicle like a car or truck. The model system is designed to allow for a huge amount of experimentation and imagination. Anything you can imagine, you can build with a few turns of the included wrench and Allen key.

Instructions

- 1
  Select two beams to serve as the sides of the vehicle base. Select two beams which are the same length; eight holes is a good length. Find two bars of the same length to act as the front and back (around six holes), and four L-bracket pieces. Pull out eight bolts and nuts and set them aside.
- 2
  Hold an L-bracket over the last hole in the end of a side piece. Insert a bolt into the hole and screw the nut on the end. Use the wrench to hold the nut in place while you turn the screw with the Allen key to tighten. Repeat with another L-bracket at the other end of the side. Repeat also with the other side beam.
- 3
  Hold a hole on the front piece over the free holes on an L-bracket. Use one of the last two holes on the beam. Insert another screw into the hole and another nut on the end. Tighten the nut and bolt set. Repeat with the other three L-brackets to create a rectangular base.
- 4
  Slide an axle rod through the rectangular base. Use a hole two or three spaces in from the ends of the car. Use the clips to hole the axle in place by placing four on the axles, inside the rectangular base. Clips are shaped like three quarters of a circle with two flanges.
- 5
  Build the walls, front, rear and roof of your car using the pieces in the box. Begin by using beams and connectors to build up a frame, and use the panel pieces to cover the interior of the car and strengthen the vehicle body.
- 6
  Attach four wheels to the axle rods. The wheels are often made of rubber and will grip the axle rod, so you will need to spin the wheel back and forth while pushing to get it onto the axle.

Construction Toys