​3D Metal Puzzle Rocket Building Kit 2-in-1 Pen Holder & Phone Stand for Desk - DIY Assembly Model, Fun STEM Project, Unique Office and Home Decor for Adults & Teens

One Christmas long ago I gazed enviously at the Erector Set my brother had just unwrapped. It had all kinds of cool parts that looked just like this and you could assemble them into motorized robots that actually rolled around on wheels and all kinds of other amazing constructions. I was so jealous! If he felt the same way about my Easy-Bake oven complete with cake mixes you baked with a light bulb, he didn't let on. In those days there were boy toys and girl toys. I wanted to take wood and metal shop classes in junior high school instead of sewing and cooking (which I already knew how to do) but girls weren't allowed to. Now my brother has a granddaughter who last Christmas requested her own set of basic tools. I got this to see if it would be an appropriate skill level for them to assemble together. The rocket looks really cool and I love that the instructions are all pictures, which will help prepare her for a life assembling furniture purchased from big box stores. The diagrams are fairly easy to follow once you wrap your brain around them, and the tools are the right size for small hands. One thing that seems to be missing is a comprehensive parts list. I have trained my daughter to always inventory the parts in the box to make sure everything is there before you start assembling it. There's nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through building something and figuring out that you're missing a crucial part. Then you have to take it all apart again and try to cram it back into the box to return it. This shows the parts needed for each step, so you have to sort the parts by step to figure out if everything is there. What I don't know is how versatile this kit is. Will she be able to think of ways to put these parts together into other constructions like you could with the old Erector Sets? Only time will tell. But this is a great starter kit for stoking her imagination, helping her understand how things go together and develop basic tool skills. What a bargain for $20! And meanwhile I love my new rocket phone holder that I just had fun assembling.

Item is as pictured and advertised. Really cute that works for a display item and also for holding pencils and such. If your kids are younger, they will need assistance in building this. However, there are really detailed instructions included.

I know what you're thinking. Erector Set. Not quite. I keep looking at the images, trying to invision a "metal rocket ship". I guess if I cross-eye squint at dusk or dawn... The parts: So, the squarish base is stout metal, the shiny parts are metal and two of the "red things" are a thicker metal..perhaps alluminum. The rest of the "red things" are a thin a.b.s. type material. The hardware is "erectorish sized" The instructions are "legoish". Everything is straight forward. What could possibly go wrong...? Not much. I would estimate the hex nuts and bolts (or screws?..its 4 a.m.) to be a little smaller than the old erector set square nuts and flat drive pan head machine screws. I can see one fumble lingering the little fasteners. I recommend a pencil size/type magnetic pickup tool for retrieval of detectors. Appropriate/suitable magnetic.... wrenches, sockets and associated drivers may help keep the little boogers in order for installing/mating the threaded fasteners. So, the shiny metal multi drilled strips have a slight bend, perpendicular with their length to give rigidity and I don't recall any sharp edges. They are much thinner than the old erector versions but seem sufficient for the application, given the size of the model and its intended purpose. Relatively easy to assemble dependant on ones manual dexterity, vision and hand/eye coordination. The completed unit is fairly sturdy due to its compact size and quantity of parts. Its almost like a "lamination" strength. Strength in numbers. I would not purchase larger model items based on the scale of the parts being this thin and small. I would hope for more robust parts that are better suited for the larger models in which they are scaled up to meet the structural needs of larger finished models. There are so many promising possibilities. I'll be watching for similar items from this category of metal erection sets...terrible erector?

I'm in the midst of doing this right now. I guess I should let you know that I do a lot of the 3D wooden puzzles and book nooks and that kind of stuff. Not really familiar with the metal puzzles but I definitely want to get into them. So I guess you could say I'm a beginner with some valuable background experience. Let me tell you, I have had to go back and fix a couple crucial parts a few times now. It's not like I'm not looking at the instructions because I'm trying very hard to understand which part goes where. But it is kind of hard to tell I'm somebody's pictures. Also be an experience thing I'm sure it takes a little bit of hold there. But I am almost done now, and I think I'm on the right track now. Hopefully I won't have to go back and re-adjust anything else. But i really liked the change from my usual wooden builds. Even though im a newbie at this metal puzzle business, i do have one no-pro suggestion: use an electric screwdriver. Made my life SO much easier

⭐ 4.8 out of 5 stars ✅ Pros Fun and challenging 3D puzzle that promotes STEM learning High-quality metal pieces—durable and well-machined Encourages patience, focus, and teamwork (great parent-child project) Doubles as a cool desk decoration or pen holder after assembly Detailed instructions with clear visuals ❌ Cons Some small screws and parts can be tricky for younger kids Requires adult help for children under 10 A small screwdriver or extra tool would make assembly easier 📝 Review The Jixin Xyzhi Metal Rocket STEM Building Kit is an excellent hands-on project for kids and adults alike. The metal parts feel sturdy and premium, and once assembled, the rocket looks fantastic as a desk display or pen holder. It’s both educational and fun—great for developing problem-solving skills and fine motor coordination. The instructions are clear, but younger builders will need some supervision since a few parts are tiny. Once complete, it’s super satisfying to see the finished model—it looks more like a collectible than a toy! Overall, a great combination of creativity, engineering, and design. Perfect for science-loving kids or anyone who enjoys a rewarding DIY challenge. 🚀✨

This metal rocket puzzle looks really nice once it’s assembled, and the design is definitely eye-catching. The idea of it being both a pen holder and a phone stand is creative. However, the assembly is quite complicated and time-consuming. The instructions aren’t very clear, and some of the tiny pieces are hard to handle, which makes the process frustrating. I also wouldn’t recommend this for children, especially just to use it as a phone stand. It feels more like a decorative or hobby project for adults rather than a practical desk accessory. It’s okay overall, but I expected something more user-friendly.

This little “rocket model” set reminds me of the old erector kits I had as a kid. It includes all the metal and plastic pieces, screws, and a small wrench for assembly. The instructions are basic but clear enough to follow, and it’s a fun short project for anyone who likes mechanical toys or small builds. It's a fairly small figure once completed but does function. It’s definitely more of a one and done kit than a complex model, but for the price it’s a neat little throwback and a good gift for tinkerers. Good value.

I got this Metal Rocket STEM Building Kit as a weekend project with my nephew, and it turned out to be a fantastic experience! The kit comes with 168 sturdy, high-quality metal pieces that fit together really well — the screws and bolts lined up perfectly, and nothing felt flimsy or loose. The finished rocket is a nice medium size — big enough to stand out as a cool display piece but small enough to sit neatly on a desk or shelf. The color-coded instructions were super easy to follow, so even though it looked complex at first, we had a blast assembling it step by step. It’s a great mix of challenge and fun, and it encourages problem-solving, patience, and creativity along the way. Once completed, the rocket looks awesome as a desk decoration, and the pen holder feature makes it both fun and functional. For the price, it’s an excellent value — you’re getting a durable, educational, and creative project that both kids and adults can enjoy together. Highly recommend for anyone who loves STEM learning, building kits, or unique decor!