Pantasy Claw Machine (86002) – It Really Does Work!

The Claw Machine (86002) by Pantasy is the latest set the growing brand has to offer and it was a great pleasure receiving a review copy, thank you Pantasy for gifting me (David @totallybricktastic) this set and giving me the opportunity to build something totally different!

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you would like to purchase and build this set for yourself, please consider using our affiliate code and link. Use THEBRICKPOST during checkout at Pantasy.com for 10% off. Or grab it from Amazon instead.

The Box & Contents:

We have the usual high quality, glossy box, laden with images including many of the machine in action. We also have a lot of bags covering 10 numbered stages. We also have a lot of extra bags, including plates, decorations, stickers, lights, electronics, and of course, the prize balls. We also have a large, sturdy cardboard envelope containing the three windows.

The Build:

Stage 1 of course has you building the base, this is also where without hanging about we also add most of the cog mechanism workings and nearly all of the electronics along with the strip of lights. At first, the electronics and wiring looks a little daunting, but as I took my time to really study the instructions it was actually quite simple and a pleasant surprise.

Note: You will need your own power bank to power up the electronics, using the supplied USB-A to Type-C cable.

Stage 2 sees the start of building the body walls, which include printed bricks, and we add the controls area of the machine and more electronic components for the two button workings. One is the on/off button, the other the claw activation, and then between them the joystick for turning the crane which connects to the cogs we installed in stage 1.

Stage 3 sees you build the crane with the motor on top to control the opening of the claw. Building the claw sees you having to install two long ball strings, that wind around discs. Here I did have to fiddle about a bit ensuring that when the claw is in the fully wound up position the claw is actually closed to hold the prize balls. It took me about 15 minutes but it was worth it to ensure that everything works correctly. You also cover over the lower workings with blue plates and it’s here you can fire it all up and test it. I found this rather exciting!

Stages 4 and 5 see you building up the body frame. Here we do have to apply two very big stickers across multiple bricks of two angled builds. This is a thing I hate, although I have to concede the decoration it provides does look good. The whole set has a circus theme and all the decorations, whether it be printed bricks, pre made decorations or stickers do achieve this very well.

Stage 6 see you install the windows, (don’t forget to tear off the protective film), and start the roof construction. Here we also add more stickered decorations to the body and we have nice printed vinyl decorations too. It’s at this stage we actually put the lights into position, it’s a simple winding around the inside of the roof through the holes of technic pieces. The lights look great through the window pieces that are covered with the decorated vinyls, it’s a nice diffused light, not harsh or too bright.

Stages 7 and 8 complete the roof and it has great, brick built circus props on top. The brick built clown head was such a super build, it looks so realistic. If you’re scared of clowns, look away now!

Stages 9 and 10 has you installing the final decorations, including a very thick cardboard circus sign, and of course building the prizes to place inside the balls. I must say, the prizes are way better than the offerings in the Pantasy Vending Machine, we even have a “Star Prize” that’s inside its own crystal ball within the prize ball. After placing the prize balls inside the machine you then place a small, technic built frame over the hole. It uses a piece of thin cardboard to create a dome, I found this a little fiddly.

Power it up!! WOW! I am utterly blown away how well this works, it perfectly replicates an arcade claw machine, every time, zero problems. It works solidly and I know you will be as delighted as I am. You will have hours of fun, the lights, the music, everything, it’s just such a brilliant set!

Final Thoughts:

It’s huge! This may be the only downfall it has, other than the large stickers across multiple bricks. I have nothing bad to say because it works so well. It looks so good too, the circus theme really suits it. It’s so good it’s almost hard to believe that it’s brick built.

Score: 9/10 – losing a point for size and large stickers, although I guess the size is dictated by how this machine has to work and can’t be avoided.

If you would like to purchase and build this set for yourself, please consider using our affiliate code and link. Use THEBRICKPOST during checkout at Pantasy.com for 10% off. Or grab it from Amazon instead.

Pantasy Claw Machine 86002