Set Facts
- The Thunder Driller features a dual-geared, auto-rotating planetary drill powered by a magma-core engine.
- Minifigures included in the set are Duke, Doc, and a Firox rock monster. Duke and Doc work together to drive Machine #5, also known as the Thunder Driller.
- The vehicle is 8 inches long and has giant spiky wheels, designed for tunneling through solid stone.
Regional Retail Prices (LEGO.com/Store)
Thunder Driller Reviews
Eurobricks
“Another gem from Lego. Just getting it for the planetary drill is worth it! This machine may not be the most offensive of all the Power Miners vehicle, lacking any claws, net launchers or dynamite launchers, but works wonderfully as a proper mining vehicle. This set loses... More some points due to the need for stickers where it could have been printed instead.”
Eurobricks
“Aside from the colors, it is actually kind of neat. I hate to admit that. The drill mechanism is quite clever. When you roll the whole thing forward, the drill spins, but the other drill piece spins in the opposite direction. Essentially, when the machine is coming towards... More you, you see the light gray piece spinning counter-clockwise and the dark gray piece spinning clockwise. The headlights look pretty good too.”
CollectionDX
“The primary feature of the Thunder Driller is its planetary gear drill. The light- and dark-gray sections counter-rotate to each other as the front wheels turn! LEGO Set #8960 comes with a single Firox rock monster minifig.”
Theme Analysis
Lifespan
11 mos (this set 19 mos)
Annual growth
+8.39% (this set +10.71%)
This set's annual growth (CAGR) vs. subtheme
Community Stats
Thunder Driller currently ranks #3 out of the top most owned sets in Power Miners.
About Power Miners
Power Miners was a LEGO theme released in 2009 and was the successor to Rock Raiders and was generally set in underground caverns. Two generations of the theme were released, in the first generation, Power Miners are deep in the crust of the Earth where they fight the Rock Monsters. In the second generation, Power Miners have drilled into the volcanic recesses of the Earth's core where team faces the Lava Monsters. The theme was discontinued in 2010.
Summary
Power Miners Thunder Driller set 8960 was released on December 28, 2008, retailing for $30, it has since been retired. New, unopened sets are valued at $445, used ones can be found for $62.
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Tunnel through to the underground world!
The rugged Thunder Driller is the most important vehicle in the Power Miners fleet! With its massive double-geared, auto-rotating planetary drill, it tunnels through solid stone to reach deep underground caverns and hidden rock monster hives. As long as its magma-core engine is fueled up and its huge spiked wheels keep turning, the Thunder Driller’s powerful dual-direction drill never stops spinning!
Motor shield opens to display gearing system and stored crystals!
Includes 2 miners, rock monster and more!
Combine with 8958 Granite Grinder to create the massive Aero Shredder!
Vehicle measures 8" long and has giant spiky wheels!
Description provided by LEGO©