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Return to Useless Machine Kit (Metal Hinge Version)
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  0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 
Disappointing for a Maker Shed kit February 26, 2013
Reviewer: William from Mountain View, CA United States  
I read the reviews on this, but really folks, as it comes the hinges are unacceptable. By now this should have been fixed.  You will need to drive the pins out and expand the parts that hold the pin on one side so they don't bind, then put the hinge back together.  Not so easy to do with such tiny hinges...

MakerShed, you should stop selling this! I'm sorry I bought this one instead of the newer version.

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  0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 
Really nice kit, a couple of minor issues September 18, 2012
Reviewer: Anonymous Person from Hoffman Estates, IL United States  
Overall I really liked this kit.  It took a novice solderer about an hour to put together.  The kit has a really nice fit and finish, and looks quite stylish on my desk.   My only complaints are, as others said, the hinges are stiff even after working them for quite a while.  Also, There is a bit of a "bounce" when the arm hits the limit switch and the motor disengages, causing it to turn back on for an instant and then back off again.  (A minor quibble, that I could probably fix with some tinkering)

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  1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 
Hinges - again May 20, 2012
Reviewer: Dan Tuchler from Campbell, CA United States  
I built this with my 9 year old daughter in about 90 minutes, and everything went well - until we were done and the hinges were too stiff, as others have noticed.  We tried oil, realigned the hinges, worked the hinges - nothing helped.  Finally took the suggestion of another reviewer - removed the hinges, drove the pins out, widened the center part, and put it all back together.  Success!  My daughter is very happy with it but the hinge issue should be fixed !

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  2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 
Works, but not 100% satisfied March 4, 2012
Reviewer: Anonymous Person from Sydney, Australia  
I bought hinge version. The base of the box was split in shipping due to very poor transit packaging, but they replaced it free after 2 emails from me, the first to request a replacement; the second 4 weeks later to remind them to action my request. The hinges are far too stiff and I can't get them loose enough to do the job properly no matter what I try. The high gloss case shows fingerprints, etc, too easily. I'd much prefer a wooden box version to the plastic. The instructions are very poorly written.

UPDATE Manged to loosen each hinge by driving out the wire pin with a small punch, then gently widening the hole of the centre hinge part, not the end parts as they have to stay tight enough to retain the pin. Now lid works as required.

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  0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 
great, aside from the stiff hinges December 22, 2011
Reviewer: Matthew Kime from Brooklyn, NY United States  
great kit - but the hinges are too stiff!

I fixed the problem by loosening the hinge screws considerably. when the robotic finger presses the switch the hinges do not bend because of the loose screws. the cover falls back into place exactly like it should.

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  0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 
Hinges!? December 15, 2011
Reviewer: Rich from Chelmsford , MA United States  
So as the description above states, I got the new version with the hinges.  Build went pretty well, my only issue is with the new Hinges.

The hinge is stiff, I did the 10 wiggles on each one, I loosened, and re-tightened a dozen times, the hinges look straight, but I can't get a good closing action (it sticks open completely).  

Suggestions?

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  0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 
pretty good kit December 4, 2011
Reviewer: Mark Landiss from Hazelwood, MO United States  
I, too, was disappointed by the lack of hinges ($5 more if you buy the kit from solarbotics).  I will get hinges at the hardware store next trip.  

Works great, instructions I found were very good overall, but pictures weren't very good for some steps.  Nut/bolt assembly was sometimes frustrating, but I got the hang of it about halfway through the job.  Whole things only took about two hours.

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  1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 
Purchased at Maker Faire NY November 29, 2011
Reviewer: PaleoDan from Yardville, NJ United States  
My son was looking for something fun and I was looking for a project when we found this.  The build was a bit challenging at times but that is what a build is for - if everything went too easily together, we would have learned nothing.  I agree with the others that hinges should be included but the tape does not bother me too much.  What we have found is an awesome toy that you find yourself compelled to play with!

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  1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 
A few problems November 18, 2011
Reviewer: Ronald Goble from Xenia, OH United States  
It was difficult for me to hold the parts, the nuts and then insert the screws in the case so I glued the nuts in place first. Helped a lot. I also put the bottom plate on upside down causing the arm to not trip the limit switch. Turning the plate over and reinstalling everything will take care of the problem. Instead of using tape for the hinges I used 2 inch brass hinges. Works a lot better than tape.

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  2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 
Tape hinges, really?! August 22, 2011
Reviewer: Disappointed from NH USA  
Poor assembly instructions, cheap wires but the killer is using tape for the moving lid hinge and tape to attach the non-moving lid!  Insult to injury - you have to supply your own tape!  They really need to fix the hinge situation before selling any more of these.

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