Metal Construction Toy Systems
During the 20th century, many different metal construction toy systems were developed and produced around the world. Some systems, like A.C. Gilbert's Erector® and Frank Hornby's Meccano® are famous to this day. Both of these names live on today in a line of new products, as do a handful of other names like Merkur, Ami-Lac, Entech, Exacto, Metallus, and Stokys. However, the vast majority of systems have long since ceased production and most of these have faded into the mists of time. Here at Girders & Gears, our mission is to help the wonderful world of metal construction toys to live on, both new systems and old. Some of these, like the aforementioned Erector, Meccano, and Merkur, we cover in extensive detail through a series of pictorial features, articles, how-to tips, and our now famous Model Gallery.
To begin your exploration, just select a system from the list at left or below. Please note: The information presented within each of the topic areas below has been compiled from a variety of sources. While we have tried to present accurate information, some errors may be present. Also, our coverage of each topic is not exhaustive. If you discover any errors or ommissions, please write and let us know.
Featured Systems - Click an icon below for more information |
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Specifications for Selected Systems
(values in mm)
Boss Tap: s = single; d = double. I.D. = inner diameter; O.D. = outer diameter
N/B (Nut/Bolt) Type: S = square; H = hexagonal; C = cheese head; R = round; T = tapered cheese
| System | Thread | Boss | Gear | Hole | Boss | Axle | N/B | Nut | Bolt | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nut/Bolt | Boss | Tap | Pitch | Pitch | I.D. | I.D. | O.D. | Type | Size | Head | |
| AMB | 8-32 | 6-32 | s | 30 | 12.7 | 4.2 | 4.14 | 3.96 | SC | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| Ami-Lac | 5/32W | 5/32W | s | 38 | 12.7 | 4.1 | 4.00 | 3.91 | HT | 8.1 | 6.9 |
| Constructioneer | 8-32 | 6-32 | s | 16 | 11.1 | 4.7 | 4.17 | 3.96 | HR | 8.6 | 7.6 |
| Erector - Type I | 8-32 | 6-32 | s | 16 | 12.7 | 4.3 | 4.00 | 3.96 | SR | 9.5 | 7.5 |
| Erector - Type II | 8-32 | 6-32 | s | 24 | 12.7 | 4.3 | 4.06 | 3.96 | SR | --- | --- |
| Erector - Type III* | 8-32 | 6-32 | s | --- | 12.7 | 4.2 | 4.21 | 4.04 | SR | 6.5 | 7.1 |
| Erector - Type III** | 8-32 | 6-32 | s | --- | 12.7 | 4.2 | 4.22 | 4.04 | HR | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| Exacto | 5/32W | 5/32W | d | 38 | 12.7 | 4.2 | --- | --- | SC | --- | --- |
| Lynncraft | 8-32 | 6-32 | s | --- | 12.7 | 4.8 | 4.22 | 3.95 | HR | 8.6 | 7.5 |
| Märklin | 5/32W | 5/32W | d | 38 | 12.7 | 4.3 | 4.01 | 3.98 | HT | 8.0 | 6.2 |
| Meccano | 5/32W | 5/32W | d | 38 | 12.7 | 4.3 | 4.14 | 4.06 | SC | 6.4 | 5.5 |
| Merkur | M3.5 | M3.M4 | s | 30 | 10.0 | 3.9 | 3.84 | 3.73 | HC | 5.9 | 6.0 |
| Metalcraft | 6-32 | --- | --- | --- | Var | 3.9 | --- | --- | HR | 7.9 | --- |
| Mignon | 2.6x.45 | 2.6x.45 | s | 32 | 6.0 | 3.1 | 3.03 | 3.00 | HC | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Modern Morecraft | 8-32 | 6-32 | b | 24 | 12.7 | 4.4 | 4.01 | 4.00 | SR | --- | --- |
| Norelco | --- | --- | c | 15 | 15.0 | 5.0 | --- | 3.0 | --- | --- | --- |
| Stabil | 5/32W | 5/32W | --- | 14 | 12.5 | 4.2 | 4.06 | 3.80 | HC | 7.5 | 6.2 |
| Steel Tec | 5/32W | 5/32W | d | 40 | 12.7 | 4.2 | 4.10 | 3.99 | Sd | 6.4 | 6.5 |
| Stokys | 5/32W | 5/32W | d | 38 | 12.7 | 4.1 | 4.05 | 4.00 | HT | 7.0 | 5.5 |
| Temsi | M4 | M4 | d | 38 | 12.7 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.00 | HC | 7.0 | 5.5 |
| Vogue | 4BA | 4BA | d | --- | 12.7 | 3.9 | 3.92 | 3.66 | HR | 7.9 | 6.4 |
| * Gabriel; ** Ideal | |||||||||||
Some Manufacturers Currently Producing Metal Construction Sets and/or Parts:
| NAME | COUNTRY | BRAND(S) |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | India | Entech |
| Cross | Czech Republic | Merkur |
| eitech | Germany | eitech |
| Exacto | Argentina | Exacto |
| Lac | Italy | Ami-Lac |
| Meccano | France | Erector, Meccano |
| Metallus | Germany | Metallus |
| Stokys | Switzerland | Stokys |