Building the LEGO Death Star

Soeren Kamper lego star wars

This amazing death star has over 26 minifigures, three floors, and a whole lot of rooms! I really love how much detail went into this thing. The minifigures are well done and finally Lego gives us enough minifigures to really enjoy the set. It has everything from the meeting room to the emperor’s throne room and the detention cell to the trash compactor. Really, really, really, really, really great set! You get all the classic characters, even a few versions of the important ones. The trash compactor is just all right, but most of the other moving parts have the impressive marks of Lego ingenuity.

I also love that it takes a long time to build. That helps a little in terms of coming to grips with the fact that you just dropped $400 on a big toy.

The fact that it’s 90% gray can get a little tedious. The thing took me about 12 hrs to build. Definitely not doable for me in a day. With 2-3 people you could probably be done in a few hrs though. Then the limiting factor would be the directions.  If you love Star Wars and Legos and can afford this monstrosity, definitely go for it. You’ll have hours of fun (I mean your kids will be entertained for a very long time).

The box was too big to fit into any of the LEGO Store bags.
The box was too big to fit into any of the LEGO Store bags.
Building the LEGO Death Star 02
The instruction booklet by itself weighed several pounds.
So many pieces, it was separated into four large boxes.
So many pieces, it was separated into four large boxes.
The pieces from Box 1
The pieces from Box 1
The bottom levels. It was slow-going at first, as sorting through the pieces is the biggest challenge.
The bottom levels. It was slow-going at first, as sorting through the pieces is the biggest challenge.
Filling out the bottom half.
Filling out the bottom half.
The bottom half with a good look at the trash compactor (minus the garbage, of course).
The bottom half with a good look at the trash compactor (minus the garbage, of course).
Almost halfway there.
Almost halfway there.
The sheer attention to detail in this set amazes me. Every space had a unique purpose, with a fun <a target=
story from the movies behind it.” width=”560″ height=”315″> The sheer attention to detail in this set amazes me. Every space had a unique purpose, with a fun story from the movies behind it.
The pieces from Box 4.
The pieces from Box 4.
Nearing the home stretch. Some of these photos were obviously taken at different times of the day.
Nearing the home stretch. Some of these photos were obviously taken at different times of the day.
Finished! $400 and more than 12 hours of work later. I even had a few blisters on my index fingers. No joke.
Finished! $400 and more than 12 hours of work later. I even had a few blisters on my index fingers. No joke.
I have to show it off from four angles, so you can better see what's inside.
I have to show it off from four angles, so you can better see what’s inside.
You still can't fully appreciate all the little things it does without getting your hands on it.
You still can’t fully appreciate all the little things it does without getting your hands on it.
That's what she said...
That’s what she said…

And here is a Time-lapse by some little dude on building it: