uh
I guess I forgot about this for 7 months
better late than never
Time to continue with my Power Miners reviews, then! This time we’re finally out of the small sets with our first substantial build, the Claw Digger.
We’ll start, as usual, with the figures.
This set, like the others before it, contains two figures, a Power Miner and a Rock Monster, in this case Rex and Sulfurix.
Rex is the Power Miners’ top engineer, having designed most of their vehicles himself. He has a rivalry with the Firox as they constantly sabotage his machines. Rex’s figure, while initially seeming identical to previous miners aside from his face, actually introduces a new torso piece - if you look closely, the drill symbol from before has been replaced with a bomb, indicating his role as a demolitions expert.
His alternate face, as with the other miners, is hilarious.
Sulfurix is the first Rock Monster we’ve already seen before, appearing in the 2008 promotional pack. This version is identical to its previous appearance, and as such retains all the same functionality.
As such, he can eat up crystals, although unlike the promotional pack this set actually provides a few of them.
The size increase from the Granite Grinder to the Claw Digger is insane. Despite only containing about 100 more pieces than the previous set, the Claw Digger is surprisingly large, while also being very robust and sturdy.
From the front, we can see the operator’s cabin and front scoop, but undoubtedly the most notable parts are the massive digging arms, constructed from Technic beams with a couple of Mahritoran daggers on the end. Unlike other larger sets, the Claw Digger doesn’t have a gear function, instead relying on the orange knobs at the side to allow you to manually raise and lower the arms. This motion is surprisingly powerful, and incredibly fun to do.
When raised fully, the arms rest on two stoppers either side of the vehicle, making sure they don’t interfere with the wheels.
The front bucket can be lowered down to the ground to collect crystals as the vehicle drives along, although this doesn’t work perfectly - the angled nature of the bucket piece means the crystals will often just get pushed along and not actually enter the bucket.
Once the crystals have been collected, the bucket can be raised for safe transport and protection from Rock Monsters.
From the side, we can see more details of the machine, including a pair of floodlights either side of the cabin and a massive engine block.
A lot of detail is packed into this engine, including tap pieces, Technic wheels and radar dishes. It looks suitably powerful, and definitely big enough to keep the vehicle running.
Around the back, there is storage for some mining equipment, in this case a bundle of dynamite and a circular saw.
More tool storage is found around the front, with a pickaxe kept between the floodlights. A stickered fuel cap is also present here, right in front of the engine. The driver’s roll cage can hinge forward for entry and exit, while the cabin itself features a white seat, two control levers (presumably one for each digging arm) and a tunnel-mapping screen.
Well, that’s it for the set itself. Onto the pricing.
The Claw Digger retailed for £15.99, which I feel is a very reasonable price for the substantial size and great play value of the set. It’s current value is £14, providing even greater value.
Overall, this set is pretty good, but nothing special. It’s a very cool, very fun set but I feel it’s overshadowed by everything else Power Miners has to offer. The lack of a gear function is particularly noticeable, especially since the Granite Grinder, the set in the price bracket below, did have one. It’s absolutely not an essential purchase, but if you like Power Miners it’s a nice one to have. 7/10.
