Anglerfish: The Best Model Building Project for Engineers

This is not my first attempt at building a model of this kind. A novice or inexperienced modeller should not use this model. It would be simple to lose patience and put the box away "for later." To understand the nuances of this type of model, start with a few simpler models. Upon initially viewing this model on the website, I was astounded by its substantial appearance and quantity of parts. Additionally, the finished anglerfish model on the website looked fantastic.

The Anglerfish model was delivered to me in a compact toolbox. When I opened it, it was evident that there were more than a thousand components in it. Every component is in its own tiny plastic bag, and there is a book of instructions. I arranged the components according to the first letter on the bag because this model employed letter and number combinations to identify the parts.

I've discovered some significant things over the years. The initial step is working on felt or another material that fragments from rolling off. The second step is to arrange your pieces such that you can locate them. I spread everything out on a foldable table roughly three feet (91 cm) square.

Another trick before constructing the step is to arrange all the components exactly as described in the instructions. The part's direction is crucial in certain steps because it allows you to align everything before proceeding.

I worked on it for one to two hours every day for nearly two weeks. Once more, this is not a model for a new person. In terms of difficulty, I rate it a perfect ten. I agree with Metal3dpuzzles that it's the most complex model they sell. It is packed with tiny components, such as bolts, screws, and nuts. Although there are some difficulties, the instructions are generally good.

I must draw attention to something and give the designer credit. When I was building, I was constantly concerned about the ultimate alignment. Would the thoughts align? Given how large the model is, will the parts fit together? The model seemed to twist into shape as the parts came together, which astounded me. Several portions appeared to self-align as I moved pieces into position. I was astounded. It falls into place if you follow the directions. I'm still amazed at how it occurred.

The model is fantastic overall. The design provokes thought, and the pieces are of excellent quality. Upon completion, it weighed 2 pounds 7 ounces (1.1 kilograms). The details are amazing, but I could finish with many screwdrivers, a lighted magnifying glass on a stand, tweezers, and needle-nose pliers of various sizes. If you're patient and looking for a challenge, I suggest this—the best present ever for an engineer.