[Review] Moulding Machine #4000001 (Lego Insider Tour Exclusive)

[Si-MOCs]

First review... here goes:

So I was able to fulfill one of my life long dream and go on the Lego Inside Tour in Billund. I would in a heart beat recommend this to any LEGO fan. For those that can't afford to go, there's a nice little documentary that National Geographic made that does show a lot of stuff that I saw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCPGlM9TJyo&feature=related

Every year the Lego Insider Tour has run, the participants have received an exclusive set. In the past they have been cars - some even designed by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen (current owner, and grandson of Ole Kirk Christiansen) - houses, and for the 2011 year, LEGO has created highly appropriate (and amusing) set to go along with the Inside Tour: LEGO model of the LEGO moulding Machines that made the LEGO bricks that made this LEGO set :)

There are two moulding machines, the smaller is the original hand crank machine that dates back to 1949. The second larger moulding machine is an example of the current ones that are being used today to create the bricks we love.

Info:

Set: #4000001 Moulding Machines

Pieces: 795

Price: Free with Inside Tour

Minifigs: None.

New Pieces: None, custom Sticker sheet.

Packaging:

The first thing I noticed when I received it was how HEAVY it was - at over 800 pieces (including spare parts), it's probably the most densely packed set I've ever seen.

The front of the box shows the assembled set (I did find it amusing that even Lego Designers suck at applying stickers). And the top shows pictures of the actual machines:

The back provides some nice information on the Mould Machines, as well a group pictures of the Lego Insider Group #14 (dedacted for privacy) as well as the KKK himself playing with it :)

I actually debated a good 3 weeks before I decided opening this set. Originally I had grand illusions that I would keep it Mint In Box forever. But I realized I would never sell it, so what's the point of keeping it sealed? I'd rather enjoy it and share it with the community.

When I finally opened it, I was surprised at what I saw. First it was a slip box - which wasn't standard LEGO packaging - but it makes sense as it's a super small run (68 only), secondly instead of the standard polybags I encountered a series of LEGO ziplock bags:

Anyone who has had to order missing parts would be familiar with these bags, they are the bags that are used by customer service to fulfill missing part orders (which we saw on the tour). I suspect that these sets were litteraly assembled by customer service. It also explains why the set was so densly packed - as there were no air pockets in these bags.

Along with the bricks were two instructions and a little sticker set. The Instructions are pretty nice, but not the same quality as the mass produced ones - both in paper quality and instructional quality. There was a odd disclaimer proclaiming the instructions were generated through proprietary means - which could mean that the instructions were auto-generated - probably something similar to the DesignByMe instuctions (though I've never actually done a DesignByMe, so I'm not sure).

The Build:

Timelapse of build

The build was pretty quick, and had some nice wrinkles and some advanced techniques, while it's officially 10+ (according to the box) interms of standard LEGO sets, the build rates slightly higher, as there is some snot work and some nice greebling (though i'm sure it's actually on the real thing, not just to make it look cool).

What really stuck out for me during the build was the attention to detail - even for parts that are hard to see. For instance on the larger Moulder Machine - the mould has some nice work - simple cheese wedges - but much better than say simply tiling it.

I was also impressed at the accuracy of it, when I saw the box art, it's instantly recognizable as THE moulding machine - that we had seen just a day before.

Both models are fantastic. Of the other Inside Tour sets, it's probably either best or second best (Ole Kirk's house the other notable set).

Conclusion

They're not as swooshy as some of the other stuff Lego has produced (in general and for the Tour). While there is some playability very nicely built into the set- it's really not something I see many kids playing with for extended periods of time.

Set in action:

It feels like something I would put on my office desk (if it wasn't secured in my bullet proof glass display case).

It's definitely feels like an AFOL set - which course makes sense, as it was designed by an AFOL LEGO designer (see the smiley on the front for signature!).

Ultimately, is this set worth the admission price? - absolutely not. I would never pay that much for this. But the Tour isn't about getting this set, the tour is about seeing LEGO and how things are made, how it's done, and meeting the people that "have the best job in the world". THAT was well worth the price of admission.

Though this set does make one kick-butt souvenir.

see flickr stream for additional pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/si-mocs/

Cheers,

Simon /Si-MOCs

Edited June 7, 2011 by Rufus
Indexed

[Pugsly]

Very nice review!!!!!! You are one lucky guy. I'm jealous.

[Brickdoctor]

I actually debated a good 3 weeks before I decided opening this set. Originally I had grand illusions that I would keep it Mint In Box forever. But I realized I would never sell it, so what's the point of keeping it sealed? I'd rather enjoy it and share it with the community.

I heartily agree with you. Thanks so much for this review.

Despite the fact that I am a sci-fi and castle MOCer, this is one of those sets that I'd love to have just for display. It's definitely, as you say, and AFOL's set, nicely shaped and detailed, and the playability looks to be a very nice addition.

[prateek]

Cool set. I don't know if I would open it or keep it sealed though...

[Masked Builder]

Wow. What a great set to own! I wish I had one, it'll probably be to expensive for my to buy right now..... Still you did a good job with the review and I'm very very happy you shared it with us! Oh and welcome to Eurobricks!

[Fuzzylegobricks]

Very nice review and the set is nice! I might try to get two of these, one for display and the other for the stickers.

[Si-MOCs]

Despite the fact that I am a sci-fi and castle MOCer, this is one of those sets that I'd love to have just for display.

Hehe my sentiments exactly. This almost feels like an 'Architecture' set - cool, expensive, and a set that sits on a desk/display case rarely to be played with.

And ya for Sci-fi-castles!

Wow. What a great set to own! I wish I had one, it'll probably be to expensive for my to buy right now..... Still you did a good job with the review and I'm very very happy you shared it with us! Oh and welcome to Eurobricks!

Well hopefully someone who had multiples (re: parents who took their kids) might sell one giving the community a chance to buy, but I wouldn't expect too many.

Thanks, glad to finally have something useful to contribute to this great forum :)

Cheers,

Simon

[Rufus]

Oooh I would so like to get my hands on this set, but I don't think it's ever going to happen. Nice, clear pictures! Thanks SI-Mocs

Indexed.

[Bricks2000]

Now that's a set i would really like to have, but that's impossible.

Great review, though.

[Lego Otaku]

Any chance of making manual scan for us who would want to build a clone? Clone set wouldn't be worth anything without original box, manual, and sticker as proof, and his model used a part that isn't available to us like dark green door rail. There may be other part in certain color in this set not available to us as well.

So pretty please, please, please???

[Captain Green Hair]

That's a great set to have indeed, very nice!

Very good review as well, thanks for sharing.

[Roger Rabbit]

Wow, that is awesome, can't believe you actually went!! Great review.

Perhaps you could review the tour, it would be great to read (even if it would make me super jealous ).

[Fugazi]

Thanks for this great review SI-mocs, it's very considerate of you to share your treasured set with us instead of keeping this beauty sealed for all eternity!

I must say that I'm not over-enthused by the model itself, it's certainly a nicely done reproduction but a moulding machine is not something very exciting to me. More exciting is the exclusivity of the set, and the signatures of the designers! Anyway, I'm sure that this Insider tour is the experience of a lifetime, and such an exclusive gift really nicely caps the whole experience!

Many thanks again for a quite unique review!

[Big Cam]

I saw this set on Gizmodo a few days ago, but to see an in depth review, is great. I'd kill for this set, besides the fact that it's super rare, it's just awesome. A masterfull display piece, no doubt.

[dunamis]

Wow, that is fantastic! Thanks for opening it and reviewing it for us. I had no idea they made these.

You are very lucky indeed!

[Superkalle]

A lovely set indeed. Thanks for the review

[buddy]

Great review for an excellent set! This set looks great and just like the real machine and the set is a great display piece.

Very well done on the review.

~buddy~

[BrickWild]

If you have LDD, can you please re-create this one?

[Delta 38]

Nice! Certainly a great display model, and probably one of the few instances where I actually would keep the box.

[CommanderFox]

Your one lucky guy!! Thanks for the review, i think its a very nice set, with some cool play features.

I wish i could go on the tour, maybe one day...it would be a highlight, man alive would it be a highlight of my life!

CF

[Evil Stevie]

Thank you for making my late night a little bit happier by showing the cool thing the Lego managers did for their guests!

Class act.

[tomie satoshi]

... even lego designers suck at applying stickers hahahahah just imagine one of the designers crying over the wrongly taped sticker

[The Flying Dutchman]

Very nice review of a very nice set!

I need a bigger desk to fancy all the sets that could stand there for display .

[eiker86]

I am so going on the inside tour next year...

This set is just... I want it =D

[RubeusHagrid]

You Lucky Devil!!!

Anyone who has had to order missing parts would be familiar with these bags, they are the bags that are used by customer service to fulfill missing part orders (which we saw on the tour). I suspect that these sets were litteraly assembled by customer service. It also explains why the set was so densly packed - as there were no air pockets in these bags.

What was the Missing Parts warehouse like? Did you see where Design By Me gets fulfilled? Did you get to help yourselves?