Alldarker

Indeed! Actually, last night I suddenly realized Lego probably stole the color scheme from Zam Wessel's speeder. And to be honest, the colors are ugly, but they *might* grow on me. Both colors are used in normal construction equipment, after all... FOR all those complaining about the deeplinks: I'm sorry! I've changed all the links to the regular Brickshelf gallery links, which are somewhat smaller. For those asking about the pirce of this set: all prices in this theme were originally mentioned in the review of the 8957 Mining Mech, but the price of the Thunder Drill is €29,95. I did consider buying the rest of the sets, especially the 8961 Crystal Sweeper, but eventually I decided against it. It's nice and big, but it doesn't really fit in my (mainly SW Lego) collection. The rest of these sets don't take my fancy much either, although I am interested to see what the future (three) sets will look like!

Well, that's funny! I might have walked past you then carrying these sets, as that is exactly the place where I bought them (using 15% extra 'Pietenkorting').

As I have already posted in this review of set 8957, I was very surprised that the PM sets have been released for retail since this week, here in the Netherlands. This is review of the second set I bought (for €29,95), the 8960 Thunder Drill. The Thunder Drill is the second largest set in the theme. When opened the box contains three large bags, 4 loose wheel parts, a sticker sheet and the instructions. Two of the large bags are numbered 1 and 2, and each contain a smaller bag. The third bag contains more wheel parts, and the bagged orange rock monster called Firox. This theme numbers its vehicles like it they are the Thunderbirds: the sticker sheet denotes this vehicle number 5. The instructions have a parts call out on every page, but this is very <insert that tiresome argument>: no more than 4 parts are ever called for per stage. This picture shows some of the new parts in my collection. A couple of these parts are big, but very interesting. This part comes in black (for the wheels) and orange (as part of the drill). Especially interesting is this part. As you can see, it has gear teeth on the inside of the rim, allowing for some interesting ways to power these wheels. And a second feature of these wheels is that a pair of these wheels can link into each other. This feature isn't used in this set, but it is shown in the combined model on the back of the box. Lastly we have the drill head. Like the wheels, this piece also has gear teeth on the inside of the rim. Apart from Firox, this set also contains two more figures. I am especially fond of this figure. His soot stained face would probably go very well with a lot of steampunk creations. Like the figure in set 8957, he two has a symbol on his torso denoting his function, in this case a very appropriate drill head. And like the other figures in this theme, he too comes with a shocked expression. The second figure seems to be a higher ranked worker, or perhaps a star of some kind! His second expression is also very cool. All four faces are fun and have character. All in all, I like these two figures a lot more than the analyst included in set 8957. Building the set is an easy challenge. You are supposed to start with bag no 1, but I just threw all the pieces together without any problem.This photo and this one show two fases of the build. Yes, there is a flame coming from some sort of a hole in the cabin; it looks quite dangerous for the operators! Eventually you add the wheels. The front pair of wheels are on a single axle which, using gears, powers another singe verticle axle. This is so as to power the drill head. Next we start building the drill head. This really is the cleverst part of this set: using this construction in the drill head, the drill head is actually planetary geared. This means that as the front (light bley) part of the drill turns clockwise, the other (dark bley) part turnes counterclockwise! When all is good and done, these parts are left. Yes, this does include an extra pair of goggles, even though the instructions only mention one pair! This is the finished vehicle. It's certainly a powerfull looking vehicle with nice greebling and a chain on top and with a pair of huge headlights to light the way. The cabin does have just enough standing room for both figures, although they should be careful not to get burned or to accidently light the dynamite in the crate. The play value of this set is good. You are able to open the roof and check the drilling mechanism. And of course the drill itself turns when the Thunder Driller is pushed along. Although it looks good, I'd say the drill parts do turn too slowely. It's a 1:1 gear ratio: one rotation of the drill head per rotation of the front wheels. This really should have been geared up, so they would turn a whole lot faster than the wheels. Still, this shouldn't be too hard to realize with some extra parts, and it's an excellent and realistic feature in a great looking set. All in all, a nice set, made extra good by a nice (though slightly improvable) feature of a working planetary geared drill, and by two very sweet and useful minifigs. Of final interest is that the instructions contain a link to www.lego.com/powerminers/buildinginstructions for the instructions to the alternate combined models. This set combines with 8958 to make the "Aero Shredder". At the moment of writing this review, this page isn't active, though. Full gallery Parts: 8/10 Minifigures: 9/10 Detail: 8/10 Playability: 9/10 Price to parts: 7/10 Availability: 1/10 (for now, except in the Netherlands?) Color rating: 2/10 Overall rating: 8/10 EDIT: All links have been changed to the regular Brickshelf links, instead of the deeplinks, due to the ENORMOUS size of these deeplinks. Sorry for any inconvenience!

I was very surprised when I read on www.lowlug.nl this week that the Power Miners sets had been seen at retail! These sets hadn't even been officially released by Lego, so I had to check it out for myself. Lo and behold, all six sets were available at the Dutch department store "Vroom & Dreesman", a store not known for the quality of their toy department. The first time I saw these sets on the shelves, I was disgusted. The colors of this theme are primarily lime green and orange, not an ideal combination. But after sleeping over it a night, I decided, OK, I'll see what these sets are made of. First up is set 8957, the Mining Machine (I am not actually sure if this is the offical name for this set). Its the second smallest in the theme, which currently consists of 6 sets in total. Pricing for these sets is actually quite reasonable, considering size and normal European prices: 8956 Rock Destroyer: €4,95 8957 Mining Machine: €7,95 8958 Granite Breaker: €9,95 8959 Claw Digger: €19,95 8960 Thunder Drill: €29,95 8961 Crystal Sweeper: €59,95 When opened the box contains three bags, a sticker sheet and instructions. The selection of bricks contains a couple of pieces which, although perhaps not new as such, are new to my collection. A piece which is definitely new is the roll cage. It's a lot nicer than I thought it would be: it's symetric front and back, and I can see this being used in a lot of MOC's. Also new is the pack of dynamite. It's a nice enough piece, but it is made of a slightly softer type of plastic which tends to deform when you click it on a clip or minifig hand. Wiser is to slide it on any clips. Another new piece is of course the rock monster, Boulderax. It's a whole lot smaller than the Rock Raiders monsters used to be, but these guys are still nice. The body and legs is cast in transparant green with dark bley printing, and the head is cast in dark bley. I'd have expected a clicky jaw hinge, but in fact it's quite a weak, non compatible hinge. The body contains enough space to swallow a crystal or any similar sized pieces. All in all, the monster looks good, although the monsters are hardly compatible with Lego, except for the holes in the feet. This set comes with one figure, some sort of professor / analyst, considering the symbol on the front and back of his torso. Of note is that the face has two seperate expresions: one calm and collected, and one rather shocked look. I have to say, I'm not too keen on either face, mostly due to the weird monocle. This same figure is also included in set 8961, the largest of the PM sets. The vehicle itself is an easy build, although it does use some nice SNOT techniques. The vehicle is slightly front heavy, but this is easily corrected by adjusting the ball joints in the legs. It's also a squat little thing, being wider than it is tall. The prof fits in the cabin comfortably, with the dynamite and a pick axe within easy reach. Of note is perhaps my own positioning of the legs in a sort of compact transport or rest position. All in all, this set is a whole lot nicer than I expected it would be. It's small, but a walker is always fun to pose and play around with. The fact that every set includes a rock monster adds a lot to the play value, even in such a small set. Of final interest is that the instructions contain a link to www.lego.com/powerminers/buildinginstructions for the instructions to the alternate combined models. This set combines with 8956 to make the "Cave Cutter". At the moment of writing this review, this page isn't active, though. Parts: 7/10 Minifigures: 8/10 Detail: 8/10 Playability: 9/10 Price to parts: 7/10 Availability: 1/10 (for now, except in the Netherlands?) Color rating: 2/10 Overall rating: 8/10 Full gallery can be found here. EDIT: Links have been changed to normal Brickshelf links (not the deeplinks) due to the ENORMOUS size of the pics. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Yup, that'd be my pictures. Uploading some better pictures as I am writing: photo reviews of sets 8957 and 8960 will follow.

Cool! Unknown free stuff! Count me in, please!

Nice job Eilif, it's been a very interesting set of progress rapports! I especially admire the way in which you are thinking ahead about sorting the new pieces you get: all too often I have found my sorting efforts slowly losing effect as more pices enter the collection.

Indeed a great review! I loved building this set, even if I still really don't have the room to dispaly it properly (it's sitting on top of my unbuild UCS DS II box!). T be honest, although swooshability doesn't really apply to this set, it really is very sturdy and portable: it's easy to take it from one room to another without fear of it falling apart (I'm looking at you UCS ISD!).

It sounds like your addiction is less lego based, than it is based on the excitement and uncertainty of e-Bay auctions. What I mean to say is, for you the thrill is in the chase; the getting and probably not actually in the having. You're probably finding that once you have received these sets they don't give you the fulfilment you thought they'd give you. To be honest, I've had periods like this, especially with Transformers and GI Joe: you see a figure you want, and during the hunt for the most attractive offer, you come across other very attractive offers. I am usually able to snap out of these periods after a while, realizing that what I bought didn't really make me that happy. And yes, lack of storage is also a And when that happens, I sell everything again! I try to make a profit, but I find that the excitement of selling is usually just a great or even greater than the hunting and buying. I'd suggest that you also start selling some of the objects you have bought. Even if you break even, that's not too bad: you've had the objects in your hand, and I find that is sometimes all I need (although I have bought and resold Transformers that never left their MISB inbetween).

I bought the Sailbarge when it came out, and it is still one of my absolute favorite SW sets. My arguments: 1. The build is very interesting, with a lot of SNOT (one of the first official sets to use SNOT on such a scale) 2. The result is very satisfying: noweher near on scale, but perfect as for shape 3. It has enormous playvalue: both inside and outside look great. Inside has room for the enormous figure which is Jabba, and still has plenty more room for any other figures you want to join the party belowdeck. The cell (although it misses a door!) gives some extra playvalue, as do the deck canon and the skiff. True, the Sarlacc isn't great, but welcome as an extra. 4. Great figures: Mainly Lando Calrissian with the superb helmet and flesh colored slave Leia, of course, but the new torso'd Gammorean is also nice. Lastly, at the time this set came out, there weren't many sets in which flesh Han and Luke had appeared. All in all, in my top five favorite non-UCS sets, this makes the nr 3 spot (behind AT-AT and Millenium Falcon but before Sandcrawler and Star Destroyer)

That's great news, Bricks0937, especially on the Endor set. I don't care much for Ashoka's Fighter OR the Solar Sailer, but I'm sure willing to believe you.

We have Toys 'R' Us here in the Netherlands, so no, the Us does't stand for United States. Here the TRU's are usually just as expensive as the Blokker owned chain of stores, which in fact includes Blokker toy shops, Bart Smit and Intertoys (that's why prices are all the same in these stores). Actually, I believe here in the Netherlands, Blokker has a majority share in TRU, so they try to keep uniform prices for all stores (yes, it's a monopoly ). However, here in the Netherlands we have quite a few Internets shops which do sell the regular (non-exclusive) Lego sets at discount, cheaper than the S@H website. Only good thing about TRU Netherlands is really the fact that they do sometimes sell the exclusive sets (Hoth Rebel Base, Peril in Peru, UCS AT-ST etc.).

Nope, no missing pieces, although with the bad coloring of the instructions, you might get a few colors wrong, making you THINK you have pieces missing. Asides from the usual assorted small pieces I actually got a few major pieces extra (I think) and also an extra red Imperial guard cape. I sorted the bricks into at least 12 tubs, and two shoeboxes for the large plates and bricks. The pieces are all unsorted, but there are a few bags which contain the same pieces, so you can leave those unopened for a while, while building.

At firest glance it looks good, but you cut the tracks!!! How could you?

Wow, we here in the Netherlands wished that were true... The major toyshops here sell the battlepacks for a standard price of € 14,99... But they try to rip of customers with almost every Lego set. Luckily I also know independant retailers who sell the battlepacks for € 10,95.

I have found that the clips break mostly because of poor tolerances on the battledroid molds. The pins that the arms and legs are clipped on are not exactly round, but are in fact very slightly oval. Especially when the 'flash' (the plastic residue 'squished' between the mold halves) isn't properly removed or when the mold halves aren't correctly lined up, the shape of pins become even worse. It often means that when the arms are pointed straight out, there is a lot of extra stress on the clips, compared to when the arms are pointed down. Especially when not using the droids for longer periodes of time, it is advisable to point arms straight down, or remove them altogether (although removing them also causes stress on the clips). I find that the lightsaber blade also suffers from bad molding and sometimes has the same effect of putting too much stress on clips.

I wouldn't say 4 sets in total is really a lot, especially considering three of them were indeed conectable (Jabba's Palace (4480), Jabba's Message (4475) and Jabba's Prize (4476) And although these sets included a lot of cool and rare figures (Gammorrean Guard, Bib Fortuna, EV-9D9, B'Omarr Monk, yellow Leia in bikini) there were also a lot of figures missing (Boushh, Lando Calrissian, the band, Rancorr, slave girls, Salacious B. Crumb). Apart from that, even the connected sets made an underwhelming palace, to say the least. The Sailbarge, though is absolutely perfect...

Bah, making you own? Do I LOOK like I'm creative? Seriously, you are of course absolutely right... But to be honest, I haven't got the time any more to make MOC's. I can remember buying lots of sets in the past, all with the purpose to make my own creations, but they are all still parted out and unused. The pre-designed sets have the advantage that it doesn't take so much time to design them and make them look good. And of course the official minifigs often look excellent.

Exactly. Anyway, what's the use of seeing pictures months ahead of the date you can actually buy them? I remember when I first saw the 4483 AT-AT pictures: I spent the next couple of months agonising and counting the days until the day I was finally able to buy it! Waiting three months for the 10188 Death Star was slightly too long for me as well... I'd rather have things the way of the Sandcrawler, which just appeared on S@H without any prior warning!

No way, a set like that would have about ZERO play value, compared to a Jabba's palace. Then again the PT doesn't do much for me anyhow: there were some nice Lego sets, but the movies were terrible. The Jabba's Palace play set darkrebellion is describing sound perfect to me; I'd buy it in a heartbeat (just like I luckily did with the discount DS). I'm not actually sure a set lik that would even have to cost as much as the Ds did: I'd say that a $200 (+/- 2000 pieces) would come a long way to build the perfect Jabba's Palace (big throne room over Rancor Pit, entrance gate, extra chambers and prison, external shape of the palace).

From my own finished Death Star I can tell you that this set is VERY sturdy, and yes, it IS actually swooshable (I hold it by the walls under the floor). It might be a bit heavy, though, for some. I have cats, one of which jumped on my UCS ISD last week, with expected results but I've been able to keep the DS standing on the floor with no dire cat-related accidents.

Excellent review, Dunamis! I finished the DS last Sunday, building it in three long (but fun) sessions. It's an amazing set, and I now have to try and find a good spot to put it on display. I wholeheartedly agree with you about the problems with the instructions: much too dark to properly see the difference between several colors. I had to practically break down the entire throne room because I mistook black for dark bley. Even in your pictures I see you probably made some small mistakes exchanging trans-red and trans-orange transparent pieces (on the control panel of the DS laser dish) and solid-red and trans-orange (on the elevator in the central shaft)... Funnily enough these were exacy the same mistakes I made when building it, only finding the problem when I found I was left with too few trans orange pieces for the elevator. You might also want to check out that it's actually two solid red 1x1 pieces on the trash compactor door lever (under the tractor beam control). You did seem to have better luck (or maybe worse, depending on how you look at it) with the leftover pieces: I am still wondering where a 1x10 dark bley plate and a 1x4 light bley plate have to go... And I also seem to have gotten a red cape extra. By the way, do you have any idea what the small arched hole between the AA-gun area and the droid revision room (on the top floor) is for? I get the feeling it's there especially for the mouse droid...

Yup, please count me in as well! Good luck to everyone!

It's from this set, The Passage of Jun-Chi, from the Adventurers line. Nice set for parts, but the mask is quite hard to use, except of course when it is done as well as in this MOC.

According to the pdf of the Death Star building instructions, Darth Vader DOES fit in the TIE Fighter, and he sits, he doesn't even need to lie down... Nonetheless, it looks pretty stupid, and the cockpit window is actually blocked by a black 4x4 round plate directly behind the windscreen, so you can't see Darth Vader in there.