'Other' Constructional and Allied Systems Info & Downloads
Masterbuilder Construction Sets
Masterbuilder metal construction sets were similar to Meccano. It was made in England from 1946 till the early 1950s. There are two identifiable phases with this system.
Masterbuilder(a) - Early sets (1946 to 1949)
Manufacturer / Distributor
K.W. Products Ltd., Erektor Works, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK
Inventor Wardlaw W. Waddell
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for MASTERBUILDER [a] (Ref:MBRa)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
United Kingdom
1946 to 1949
Steel / Plastic (see comment *1)
1/8W
double-tapped
1/8W
40
49 (see comment *2)
12.7
4.0
3.9
3.9
Nuts: square
Bolts: cheese (slotted)
Steel with a Brass finish
(see comment *3)
6.4
4.7
Comments
Many parts marked KW+part no.. Plates Bakelite, 3.3mm thick. Early sets may have been called METALWORK with some light alloy parts. *1 For Set 2 (Set 3 largest). *2 Also plain brass Nuts.
The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the MCS document does not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for MASTERBUILDER [a] do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Below there are manuals/instructions which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.
The Masterbuilder(a) instruction leaflet for set 0.
The Masterbuilder(a) instruction leaflet for set 1.
The Masterbuilder(a) instruction leaflet for set 2.
The Masterbuilder(a) instruction leaflet for set 3.
Masterbuilder(b) - Later sets (1949 to early 1950s)
Manufacturer / Distributor
K.W. Products Ltd., Erektor Works, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for MASTERBUILDER [b] (Ref:MBRb)
Meccano principle but sig. differences
United Kingdom
1949 to early 1950s
Steel
1/8W
double-tapped
1/8W
40
57
12.7
4.0
3.9
4.1
Nuts: square
Bolts: cheese (slotted)
Steel with a Brass finish
(see comment *1)
6.4
4.7(see comment *2)
Comments
All parts painted. New parts include metal Perforated & Flanged Plates, but some parts dropped. Many parts have KW+part no. on them. *1 Nuts Nickel plated steel. *2 ½" Bolts are plain brass with 5.4 round head.
NOTE - This system is covered in the MCS document above, so it is not repeated.
NOTE - The 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages displayed further up this web page, may also include information on this system/era.
Below there are manuals/instructions which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.
The Masterbuilder(b) instruction manual for sets 4001 (Baronet), 6001 (Carfax), 8001 (Carrier).
Photos of a Masterbuilder(b) Bayonet set with yellow plates.
Photos of a Masterbuilder(b) Bayonet set with red plates.
Photos of a Masterbuilder(b) Carfax set.