The 3D Gear Cube is definitely a great puzzle. I'm getting one.
(Btw, this is my first post)

Extremely happy to hear about the new Gear Shift! I will definitely be buying one!

Here is some history of Gear Shift.

Bram Cohen came up with the original concept. What he had in mind was eight identical gears that are all just a bit too small to fit around the sphere core. The gears would all be loosely connected to the core, with their turning axes always pointing to the origin. Because if the gears not tightly fitting, it would be possible to group them into two separate groups of four that each turn independently.

My contribution to the project was the idea to use different gears, 5-teeth and 8-teeth, and the linear pull-apart core. I also did all 3D design, prototyping and mould-maker interactions.

Here is the original YouTube video that convinced Uwe Meffert and his Japanese customer to select the puzzle. The Shapeways-printed original model remains for sale for those collectors that would want one.

Bram worked out a very nice solution that I can easily remember. It enabled me to impress my little nephew at his birthday yesterday. We have no plans of publishing the solution description, however. It will be more fun to see what solution tactics others will come up with.

There will be a little signing session at Dutch Cube Day 2011, end October, where I shall sign and sell a batch of Gear Shift ("Master 3D Gear Cube").

Oskar

Gah! Another thing that I'll be missing. Curses! (Would there be any chance of me buying a signed Gear Shift and you send it to me?)

Hey, Oskar there's one thing I could never figure out:
How does it work that you can pull the core apart only in one direction? Or can you pull it one way than another and than the third too, so all corners are spereated (which would make solving it dead easy)? I suppose it blocks other ways doesn't it? If so, is there an easy way to explain?

@alaskajoe From my understanding it does separate on all three axis but only one separation can be achieved at a time. In other words if you pull it apart one axis you then have to push it back to the normal state before you can pull apart a different axis.

Ok... Just realized there is another gear puzzle which has disappeared from Oskar's shop.

(5) Geared Mixup

Youtube video is still there but its been made unlisted.

So I guess the question now is which is getting mass produced first... the Gear Skewb or the Geared Mixup?

Not sure which I want more... I want them both AND the Geared 5x5x5 too.

Carl

P.S. Doesn't the possibility of a Geared Mixup getting mass produced before a normal Mixup Cube seem odd? Not bad... just odd.

Or any of them. Quite a few puzzles have gone from his shop, including the Twist & Slide puzzle. Does that mean all of these puzzles are being produced. I certainly hope not (at least not now, I'm in too much puzzle debt! ).

Me too... me too... though if it weren't for that debt I'd likely have the Shapeway version of these puzzles already. I'd LOVE to see ALL off Oskar's puzzles get mass produced. I still wouldn't be able to afford all of them but I certainly could afford more of them. Maybe Oskar could start up a puzzle of the month club.

Carl

I'm still hoping for a curvy Asteroid Attack puzzle, so it doesn't have the chopped off ends. That is my favourite old school Oskar puzzle.

Everybody here seems to want the geared mixup or the geared skewb.
I think Bram's cube is really original and cool.
I want that one next if there will be one more.

But so far I just can't wait for the gear shift.

I just ordered a black one from the Jade Club

The Mixup Cube would be a mess to produce due to IP's. Besides the fact me and others make them, Oskar wasn't even the first and so far no one can contact Sergey Markarov.

let us know if have german vinil stickers in the classic color scheme of others gear cubes,
pictures shown in jadewebsite have stickers so ugly.....

I really don't think that would be an issue. According to your post here, Sergey Makarov patented this idea in 1985. I believe that patent should have expired long ago. I'm not aware of what Sergey called his puzzle so Oskar may be able to trademark the name "Mixup Cube" but legally I don't think there is anything to stop anyone from mass producing this puzzle if they wanted to and just coming up with their own name for it. I would think the concept should be considered public domain by now.

Granted I'm no legal expert but I see no legal issues stopping mass production. The real issue may be that who ever is the first to mass produce it won't be able to get any legal protection (a patent)themselves and most puzzle makers may prefer to have a patent in hand before going to production. Then again does Mefferts have a patent on his pillowed 3x3x3 that was just released? I don't really see how he could but again... what do I know?

Carl

Mike, Carl,

Why do producers pay inventors anyway?

A Dutch producer explained it to me as follows. If I would point him to a $100 bill laying on the street, and he would pick it up, then he would pay me a "finders fee" to thank me. It is a form of common decency, independent of any legal aspects. In that light, one could argue that I "found" the Mixup Cube, by pointing out to the world that this puzzle could exist and how it would work. And even though Makarov's patent has expired, he deserves most of the credits for his original idea.

Notice that this discussion is theoretical, as no producer has "picked up" the Mixup Cube yet.

Oskar

Granted... I'd be thrilled to see you and Makarov get some cash/credit if the Mixup Cube is ever mass produced. My argument is I didn't think that was standing in the way of anyone mass producing this puzzle. If Mefferts were to produce this I would expect you to get some sort of "finders fee" and if Makarov couldn't be found maybe he could call it the Makarov's Cube. Not really sure how that would be handled. But in the same light there are other producers out there that appear to have proven they don't care much about common decency and if they were to produce this I don't think (again I'm no expert) anyone would be able to stop them. I just don't see IP issues standing in the way of this being produced.

Carl

Looks like a nice puzzle, so I just ordered one!

more pict

Just a thought what solving is concerned since few has been said/guessed about that so far:
It should have some similarities to solving a Rubik's Clock shouldn't it? The basic similarity is that certain parts are connected in a way that they all turn together while being detached from other parts. The connection can be released and another one can be made.
The difference between the two concepts: On the rubiks clock all clocks turn the same direction right? (I never had one myself so I don't exactly remember) On the Gear Shift obviously things are turning towards each other. What's harder, what's easier? I don't know. I do remember that the clock was pretty simple to figure out though. I bet this puzzle is more difficult (and hope)

Yes it's mathematically very similar to the Rubik's Clock, but the Rubik's Clock is a nearly trivial puzzle if you solve things in the right order, where this puzzle requires quite a bit more insight to figure out how to solve it. I worked out a solution to it without the benefit of having an actual prototype (or pen and paper for that matter, and I still haven't even held a prototype of this thing, despite the basic concept being mine). So it's possible to do, but it required some thought, and having a math background helps a lot.

Well that doesn't sound bad. I have figured out how to solve 3 pieces by thinking about it. At least I am really sure I did. But I need to have it to go further I thinkg. I might have an approach for the 4th piece. But good thing it's more difficult than the clock, thanks.

available in JadeClub - Gear Shift $32.4

..for preorder. Shipping will begin in 1-2 weeks.

...and will have new logo stickers...or maybe all new stickers?

uwe!!!! post correct pictures!!!

I ordered mine last night. I am so excited.

Just ordered mine. I'm eager to play with this one as well. Here's hoping there are many more gear cubes in our future...

Carl

Had you got secret information?
You have ordered it one week ago, but I've got the Jade News today and it says "as of Aug 21"
I have ordered a black one, too.

It was on the Jade Club website for a while, I ordered on the 14th.

Robert

I've just order a black one. I can't wait!

does anyone have any idea on when they will be available for everyone to buy?

As I am not a member of the JadeClub I can not buy them or eles I would.

And do you have to pay to become a member of the Jade Club.

Thank you.

The Gear Shift is now available at Meffert's for everyone.

Gear Shift Black
Gear Shift White
Gear Shift Twins

Awesome! I will probably buy one today!

Does this mean they'll start Jades' shipping?

I cant wait to get mine!
Oskar what exatly prevents the puzzle to be seperated at two dimensions?

I've posted a solution video now for this puzzle. Obviously, this is a spoiler: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zjGKPxbFLs

That's awesome!

Any update on the shipping?

Robert

WOW!

It has now been a full month since I ordered mine. When I placed my order there was no indication that it was a pre-sale, only that it would be sold to Jade Club members first for a few weeks before it would be sold through the normal Meffert's web site.

I'm right there with you. I ordered mine as soon as they were announced on Jades Club and I haven't heard word one since. I figured it will get here when it gets here, Mefferts never lets me down. I am really looking forward to it though.

Good news!

Shipping begins Saturday the 17th.