Terrain Workshop: Sci-Fi Metal Sunflowers

Continuing on from my "Sci-Fi Metal Trees" terrain workshop post, I have a number of the Propeller 8 Blade 5 Diameter part and I'm using them in a similar way to my Sunflower build from last year.

So the Propeller connects to a 1L Bar w/Angled Hollow Stud, and that

goes into a 2L Pin Connector w/Slot.  A 3L Friction Pin then connects

a Liftarm Spacer and another 2L Pin Connector to the first assembly.

These are 1 Hit, and are 19 feet tall (not including

the base) and 10 feet across in 6P scale.  They might

 be a good addition to my Neue Regel table-setting.

The fun part about this build is that the Propeller Blade also comes in

Orange.  I have a few of those so I made a version that looks a bit more

natural.  This one is different from the other one as some of the parts from

the first version aren't available in more plant-like colors.  For this build the the

Propeller connects to a 1L Bar w/Angled Hollow Stud, and that goes into a

Pin w/Friction Ridges & Pin Hole, which goes into a 2L Pin Connector w/Slot, an Axle/ Friction Pin then connects that to a 3L Axle Connector to finish it off.

These are 1 Hit, and are 19 feet tall and 10 feet across in 6P scale.  I hope this gives people ideas or techniques to use in their terrain builds. Flickr page.

Terrain Workshop: Trees 35

I was going to post something else today but this was half finished and I'm feeling a little lazy.  Let's make another tree for the mill.

Starting at the bottom, a 2L Smooth Axle Connector is connected

to another 2L Smooth Axle Connector via a Notched Axle, on top

of that is a  Pin Connector Hub w/1L Axle, attached to that are two

1x2 Round Plates w/Pointed Leaf.  That totals up to six pieces

which is 1 Hit. It's 25 feet tall and 10 feet across in 6P scale. 

Size Comparison.  As you can see, this is taller than all of the usual

suspects.  If you alternate the way they face on a base, you can line

them up nicely and turn this design into a wall without actually making

a wall.  Which is one of my favorite terrain techniques.  Flickr Page.

Terrain Workshop: Deffo Sci Fi

This is one of those "What the hell am I going to do with this piece?!?" builds.  The Minifig Crown w/Bar only has one real attachment point.  But you can stack them on top of each other to create a 180 reversal of the bar sections.  The rest of the build was selecting random pieces in a trial and error session 'til something looked right.

The base is a Round Large Jumper.  Stacked into that are a Minifig Candle, a Plant Stem/Stalk w/Bar, Bar Holder, & Hollow Stud, two Minifig Crowns w/Bar, and a Peony Rose Flower.  A Plant Flower w/Bar & Small Pin Hole is placed on the end of the arm of the Plant Stem/Stalk w/Bar, Bar Holder, & Hollow Stud.  That totals up to six pieces which is 1 Hit.  It's 16 feet tall and 6 feet across in 6P scale.  Hydrangea Flowers change color based on the pH of the soil so using multiple Peony Rose Flower tops across a bunch of builds can make sense.

I have no idea where I'm going to use this yet.  I've built seven at this point

and I want a bunch more before adding them to a battlefield.  I also have

no idea what I'm going to call them.  I titled this post "Deffo Sci Fi" because they definitely look like something out of Science Fiction.  They could be

Mega Venus Flytraps, or maybe Baby Triffids, or whatever, but several

of these should look really colorful on the table.  As always, I hope this

gives people ideas or techniques to use in their own builds.  Flickr page.

Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Mobile Crane

 This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.08 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

Parts.  Liftarms, Thin Liftarms, Perpendicular Axle/Pin

Connectors, Thin Liftarm w/Frame, Axle Connector, 3L

Pin, 3L Axle/Pin, Axle w/Stud, Round Plate w/Down Arm,

Axle Connectors w/Pin, Friction Pins, Axle/Pins, Friction

Axle/Pins, Axles, 3/4 Pins, 1/2 Pins, Rims, and Tires.

 

Build.  Frame (2Ra [large cannon] 2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  The first Mighty Machine set with a max score.

Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Cement Mixer

This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.12 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

Parts.  Cone, Bent Liftarms w/Perpendicular

Holes, Gear, Thin Liftarms, Perpendicular Pin/

Axle Connector, 3L Friction Axle/Pin, 3L Axle/

Pins, Pin/Axle Connectors, 3L Friction Pin, 3L

Pin, Axle/Pins, Liftarm w/Frame, Round Plate,

Round Tiles w/Pinhole, Short Wormgear,

Half Pins, Pins, 1L Liftarms, Tires, and Rims.

Build.  Frame (2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I made a little homunculus of a Frame but I feel like this set needs one more variant of Perpendicular Pin/Axle Connector or Thin Liftarm to be really good.

Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Wrecking Ball Crane

This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.11 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

  

Parts.  Angled Liftarm, Liftarms w/Frame, Thin Liftarms,

Large Flat Gear, Perpendicular Pin/Axle Connectors,

Chain, Half Bushings, Round Tiles, Axles, Axle w/Stop,

Axle w/Stud, Friction Pin/Axles, Bushings, Technic Ball,

Axle w/Pin Connector, Small Flat Gear, and Bars w/Stop.

Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8 {wrecking ball & piston} 1Gd8/2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  It has some useful pieces, the 2L Bar w/Stop is always good to have, but I just feel it needs "more".  Again, the Blind Box thing doesn't help.  

Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Road Roller

This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.12 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

Parts.  Thin Liftarms w/Frame, Driving Ring

Extensions, Perpendicular Double Pin/Axle

Connector, Axles, Pin/Axles, Axle w/Stop, 3L

Axle/Pin, Friction Pins, Liftarm, Thin Liftarms,

Perpendicular Axle/Pin Connector, Axle w/Pin

Connector, Gears, Bushings, Curved Panel

("Comma"), Half Bushings, Tires, Rims, and

Perpendicular Split Axle/Pin Connector.

Build.  Frame (2Rh/2W).  [System is Light Bley.]

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I like the Thin Liftarms w/Frame, Driving Ring Extensions, and Perpendicular Split Axle/Pin Connector.  But beyond that there's not much to recommend here.

Review: 42233 Technic Mighty Machines Wheel Loader

This is a new for 2026 Technic series.  The builds being packaged in a blind box format like the Collectable Minifig Series is an interesting gambit.  Just as a "heads up" the numbers next to the QR code do not match up to the contents of the box.  I've already bought one duplicate so far.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.11 Price per Piece.

QR Code.

Instructions & Game Piece.

Parts.  Shovel Panels, Thin Liftarms w/Frame, Thin

Liftarms, Perpendicular Pin/Axle Connectors, Axle/

Pin Connector w/Smooth Toggle Joint, Gear, Axle

w/Stop, Axles, 3L Axle/Pin, Pins, Axle/Pins,

Axle Connector, Worm Gear, Rims, and Tires.

Build.  Frame (2Rd/2B/2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  I like it, I just feel like it needs "more".  And the Blind Box thing doesn't help either.

Review: 30730 Pokemon Trainer Supplies Polybag

 This is one of two new for 2026 Pokemon polybag releases.  I found it recently in Target.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.09 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Inverted Curved Slopes, Rounded Plates w/Stud on Side, Plates,

Curved Studless Slopes, Printed Round Tiles, Round Plates w/3 Short Leaves,

2x2 Dome, Large Minifig Heads, Eggshells, Tiles w/Studs on Ends, Hinge

Plates, Clip Plates, Round Plates, Curved Cheese Slopes, Bricks, Travis

Bricks, Inkwells, Round Plates w/Flower Edge, 1x1 Domes, Double Curved

Slopes, Baby D Snots, Round Plates w/3 Long Leaves, Minifig Ice Cream,

Minifig Head, and Grass Tufts.  (Turns out I missed a piece when I was

dumping out the bag.   There's a second White Curved Cheese Slope.)

Build.  Three 1 Hit pieces of Cover, and two Stations.  

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)

   (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  There's some interesting colors and parts here -- I think those Rounded Plates w/Stud on Side are going to be put to lots of uses -- but ultimately it's a parts pack rather than a starter kit.

Review: 71851 Ninjago Kai's Dragon Mech Battle Pack

This is a new for 2026 set.  For some reason I thought it was a remake of an older set but it looks to be completely new.  Small mecha sets are always a good starting point for Frame creation, so let's see how this one fares.

Box.  MSRP is $9.99, for a $0.12 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  Loose in Box.  Wings w/Bar.

Parts 2.  Cockpit, Chest Armor, Translucent Angular Plant Leaves, Brick w/Pinhole &

Plate, Inverted Slopes, Studless Slopes, Claw Plates, Clip Plate, Ball Joint Plates, Bar

Plates, Clip Claws, Clip Plates, Stadium Tiles, Cheese Slopes, and Pyramid Tiles.

Parts 3.  Brackets, Printed Round Tiles, Translucent Tiles, Ball

Joint Plates, Rounded Plates, Triple Slopes, Clip Plates, Friction

Pins, Minifig Weapon Hilt, Barbs, and Brick w/Studs on Side.

Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8/1B/2W) [Systems are Gold.] and Station.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  A nice selection of parts but over 20% of the quantity is wasted on minifigs.

Review: Star Wars 75448 Clone Shock Trooper Mech

This is a new for 2026 set.  I haven't reviewed many of the Star Wars/Super Hero mech sets recently.  Mainly because the pricing on them was crappy.  I have a bunch in my "To Do" pile but as the pricing was pretty good for this one I figured I'd take a shot.

Box.  MSRP is $14.99, for a $0.10 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts 1.  4x7x1 Triple Inverted Slope, Bracket Brick, Chest

Armor, Printed Tile, Plate, Inverted Tile, Tiles w/Studs on

Ends, Double Studless Slope, Corner Plates, Large

Jumper, Grille Tile, Brackets, Ball Joint Plates, Cheese

Graters, Clip Plates, Bricks, Panel, Slopes w/Cutout, Round

Plates, Minifig Candle, Cheese Slopes, and Bar Claw.

Parts 2.  2x6x2/3 Bent Plates, Wedge Plates, Tile w/Studs on Edge,

Plates, Technic Plates, Studless Slopes, Bar Plates, Ball Joint Plates,

Corner Curved Slopes, Rounded Plates, Round Plates, Plate w/Pinhole,

Inverted Studless Slopes, Slopes w/Cutout, Studless Slopes w/Cutout,

Cheese Slopes, Bracket, Transparent Round Tiles, 1L Liftarms, Pin

w/Axleholder, Clip Bar Holders, Axle, Triggers, and Stud Shooter.

Parts 3.  2x6x2/3 Bent Plates, Brackets, Plates, 2x2x2/3 Plates w/2 Studs

on Side, Studless Slopes, Curved Slopes w/Studs, Double Curved

Wedges, Truncated Cones, Ball Joint Plates, Grille Tiles, Cheese

Slopes, Round Plates, Pin/Axles, and Studless Slopes w/Cutout.

Build.  Frame (2Rh+d8/2Rd/1Y/2W).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  At.  (0)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +15 (A).  Plenty of good parts and a decent price for once.