Metal Earth Millennium Falcon Review: Tips for Not Breaking Parts.

There is something satisfying about taking a flat sheet of steel and turning it into the most famous ship in the galaxy.

The Metal Earth Millennium Falcon is iconic, cheap, and looks incredible on a desk.

But unlike wooden kits like Rolife, metal models have zero forgiveness. If you bend a tab the wrong way twice, it snaps. Game over.

I built this kit in about 3 hours, and I’m going to share the specific tools and techniques you need to finish it without throwing it in the trash.

The Tools You Actually Need.

The instructions say "no glue or solder needed." This is true. But they don't tell you that you absolutely cannot build this with your bare fingers.

To succeed, you need these three specific tools:

1. Flush Cutters: You need these to snip the pieces out of the metal sheet. If you twist them out, you will warp the metal.
2. Needle Nose Pliers: For bending the tabs into place.
3. A Round Object: Use a drill bit or a pen to roll the curved parts of the cockpit. Never try to curve metal with flat pliers; it will crease.

The Build Experience.

Phase 1: The Cockpit.

This is the hardest part, and it happens early. It involves rolling a tiny strip of metal into a perfect cone.

• Tip: Roll it around a pen tip gently. Do not force it.

Phase 2: The Hull.

The main body is easier. The laser etching is stunning—you can see every vent and pipe on the hull. The fit is incredibly precise. When the tabs click in, they lock tight.

Phase 3: The Radar Dish.

Warning: The neck of the radar dish is extremely thin. I bent mine to adjust the angle, and it felt weak. Decide on the angle once and do not move it again.

Common Mistakes to Avoid.

1. Over-bending Tabs: Metal fatigues quickly. If you bend a tab 90 degrees, then straighten it, then bend it again... snap. Measure twice, bend once.
2. Wrong Side Out: Pay attention to the "engraved" side vs. the "smooth" side. The instructions mark this with symbols (circle vs. triangle).
3. Forgetting to Twist: Some tabs need to be folded flat. Others need to be twisted 90 degrees to lock. Read the icon carefully!

The Verdict.

The Metal Earth Millennium Falcon is a "High Risk, High Reward" build. It is frustratingly delicate, but when you finish, it looks like a piece of jewelry.

Buy this if:

• You love Star Wars and have limited shelf space.
• You enjoy precision work (like watch repair).
• You want a budget-friendly challenge.

Skip this if:

• You have shaky hands.
• You prefer the sturdy feel of wood kits.