Material & Origin
Where does the wood for MATADOR come from?
Our construction sets are made from PEFC-certified beech wood. We source the wood from the Salzburg region.
Fun fact: Even the wood shavings created during production get reused — we use them to heat our facility!
Why does MATADOR use beech wood?
Beech is an especially sturdy, long-lasting wood, which makes it an excellent fit for our construction sets. Its natural strength means our sets can be played with for many years and even passed down from one generation to the next.
Is it normal for the wood to look different from part to part?
Yes. Wood is a natural material, so the grain, color, and texture can vary slightly from one piece to the next. Small natural irregularities are part of the character of real wood and make every piece unique.
Rods & Fit
Why do the rods fit so tightly in a brand-new set?
New rods can feel a little snug at first. This is intentional: it keeps the fit precise year after year, even after a lot of building and taking apart.
What can I do if the rods are hard to push into the holes?
Wood is a natural material and responds to moisture. If the rods have absorbed moisture, they can swell slightly and become harder to fit into the holes.
Our oven tip: Preheat the oven to 140 °F (60 °C) and leave the door open a crack. Place the rods inside for about 1–2 hours. Then turn off the oven and leave the rods inside overnight with the door open.
Alternatively, you can leave the rods on a warm radiator for a few days.
Compatibility
Why aren't some older Maker rods compatible with my construction set?
The earlier Ki sets (now called Maker) used four different rod sizes over the years. That's why older rods may not be fully compatible with today's sets.
We now use one standard size:
- Current hole diameter, Maker: 8.2 mm
- Current hole diameter, Explorer: 4.5 mm
Are old Klassik sets compatible with today's sets?
Yes. The former Klassik sets (now called Explorer) are fully compatible with the older Klassik sets.
Are Maker and Explorer compatible with each other?
Not on their own, since Maker and Explorer use different rod and hole sizes.
To let you combine the two series anyway, we developed the Maker-to-Explorer connector set. Its special connecting pieces let you join Maker and Explorer parts together.
Maker & Explorer
What's the difference between Maker and Explorer?
Maker is designed for children ages 3 and up and uses larger rods and holes.
Explorer is designed for children ages 5 and up and uses smaller rods with correspondingly smaller holes. That makes finer, more intricate models possible. Also, there are extensions for more technical builds, such as gears, belts or a motor.
Damaged Parts & Claims
What should I do if a rod or another part of my set breaks?
We're sorry to hear that! Our sets are made of wood, so individual pieces can vary slightly in thickness and grain. In rare cases, this can make a piece more sensitive to stress.
How the set is handled and how much force is applied can play a role as well.
Please get in touch with us. We'll be glad to take a look and find the right solution for you.
Why can a rod break while I'm building?
MATADOR is made of wood, a natural material. With longer rods in particular, a break can occur in rare cases when a lot of force is applied.
Building with MATADOR is also a skill that develops over time. Our sets promote fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, 3D perception, and technical understanding. It takes a bit of practice to get a feel for the right technique and the right amount of force, so a rod may well break from too much pressure during those first attempts.
That's why we deliberately chose the number of rods in our sets so that the occasional broken rod isn't a problem. We know that building means experimenting, connecting, taking apart, and sometimes pushing a little harder — and we want to make sure there's plenty of material for exactly that.
A part broke: can I get a replacement?
Please contact our customer service directly with your claim. We'll be glad to take a look and find the right solution for you.
Building Instructions
The instructions are too complicated for me. What can I do?
MATADOR is a construction toy that teaches children to think spatially and bring their own designs to life, step by step. More complex models can be challenging at the beginning.
We recommend starting with simpler models and building together with your child. As experience grows, the more complex models get easier too.
And it's just as rewarding to skip the instructions altogether and build your own ideas and dreams.
Missing Parts
Parts are missing from my set. What can I do?
That shouldn't happen, of course. If a part is ever missing, please contact us and let us know which parts are missing, along with your order number if possible.
Our sets are packed by hand with great attention to detail. Even so, a part can be overlooked in rare cases.
We'll be glad to take a look and find a quick solution.
