What software did you use? I just found out about google sketchup, can you save that as an .stl? what does that stand for anyway?

Do NOT use sketchup for this. You can't export to any meaningful file format.
There's other threads around that talk about this, but I'm too tired right now to go looking.

STL = Standard Tessellation Language

i used 3ds max

any chance that their is one that is FREE or CLOSE TO FREE.

At least the fourth time I've answered this question:

http://brlcad.org/

Thank you very much for this site the.drizzle. I have downloaded it... no idea how to use it, any help? youtube? google video? anything?
THANKS

please use PM's, lets get back on topic please? (please no replies to say your sorry)

Anyways I have casted 4 core pieces already, If I could redo this pass I'd make better air vents to stop bubbles from forming. BUT the pieces look great! (considering I have never molded before in my life) I'm now making 2 more Molds, I'm running low on siicon already!! but I think I have enough left for the remaining pieces! Now.... how to pay off my credit card bill......

UPDATE! I just got some pictures from Geert, he was able to print out a full working copy of my puzzle! many thanks to him for proving that the thing actually works =)





Maybe I should throw up a poll on who would want one....

Fantastic!

By the way, this is the exact same puzzle as a Master Skewb, just in tetrahedron form instead of cube form.

I would definitely be interested in both. The Master Skewb is one of my favorite puzzles.

I'm not sure why you added the Poll? It's going to be 100% yes

how much would it cost? I'll pay for my shipping. Will their be labor cost for making the mold?

Lets not talk about actual costs yet, I still have to see how hard it would be to cast this thing, plus printing is expensive! this isn't gonna be cheap if I ever do decide to sell. lets cross that bridge when we get there, but the poll is just because I was curious how many would be interested.

I'd love to see a person who'd say "no". But again, the real question is the price.

Nothing had been said about how the puzzle really turned out. Is it easy to turn? Are those thin internal parts strong enough to sustain the playing abuse? And so on.

I think your poll poses the wrong question. I think almost everyone is interested in owning one, but this doesn't tell you who would actually pay whatever you want for it.

indeed, as I said I was just curious about the numbers if I ever made more than one. that said its already cost alot to make one. the pieces turns pretty poorly because the pieces haven't been sanded down yet, the pieces I have all fit together perfectly, and will hopefully turn alot better, if not, theres a V2 I'll print up, that mechanism should definitely turn better.

I'll let you all know more as I cast the pieces!

Already running out of silicon? I use OOMOO 25 in the same size bottle, and I've made 6 molds from one kit with a good 1/3 left over. I learned in my first molding experience not to make the molds much bigger than the peice you are casting - just enough to have the peice not distort.

How does it turn? I think this is up there with the Gigaminx in awesomeness!

Who said "No".

Well the molding is completed, heres the fully assembled puzzle. Right now it doesn't turn because theres excess gunk on the corner pieces that cause everything to lock up while trying to turn..... the puzzle just falls apart (damn ) but hey, thats what sand paper is for!

Can you please make a video.... NOW?!?!

As requested heres the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNw3pf3waFE

After some sanding it turns "perfectly" Its still fragile, and does seem to jam randomly but if you hold it right.... it turns!
It may seem like I'm struggling really hard with the outer layer. its true when it isn't held right it is really hard to turn, but as you see in the later attempts when you grip it right the outer layer turns smoothly!

The cap pops off at the end because I haven't super glued them on yet

I'd say, for a custom-built puzzle, it turns pretty good.

Thomas

VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1x91tlMp-M



Pictures:




I have finally finished my First ever puzzle. I re-sanded the internal mechanism to minimize hitching and now it turns just as good as a Rubik's 5x5x5
I hand cut the colors from vinyl tape with an exact-o-knife. I sanded down the core for a tighter grip on the pieces and the result is much more stable!

I hope you all enjoy the puzzle, if you are interested in buying one PM me and we'll talk!

Of course, for a first ever puzzle, this is bloody amazing!

I guess a differently shaped Master Skewb is a logical next step?

Thomas

Fantastic work Drewseph!

This is so complex for a first build. You must have learned loads in the process, I wouldn't have dared do something so difficult straight off (still wouldn't!).

The final stickered article looks great. As Thomas said, now you have proved the mechanism, a Master Skewb/ variants would be the next logical step.

I look forward to future designs from you.

Thanks for the kind words! This thing was actually pretty simple to make, compared to the 3 months of building the pieces in max, and then constantly redoing them because something minor made fitting screws or grips impossible! all in all I'm not looking forward to the snickering ever again, it took me almost 4 hours!

A master skewb has already been done though. and I thought the next logical step would be a 3 layer tetrahedron =)

Yes, its always more satisfying to do something new. I know what you mean about stickering.

It would be worthwhile making at least another couple of these though, for sale on ebay if there has been no private interest through PMs, as you have the moulds and everything. You would easily make enough to buy a Stika or some other vinyl cutter, and this would cut the time taken enormously, you might be less put off making even more then!

Are there any other Skewb mods you could "Masterise"? Master Mental Block? etc.

Fantastic work!

Such a great puzzle!
I never even thought it would be possible!
It always amazes me when someone creates puzzles, including mechanism, not just modifying existing ones.
This is like next level in puzzle building!
Well done!
Vadim

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't your Master Tetrahedron a pyramid-shaped Master Skewb? And if you 'just' give your pieces a different shape (without changing the interior) couldn't you make a Master Skewb Diamond, or perhaps a Master Mental Block etc. Although I don't know how these would look like.

Again, correct me if I'm wrong.

Thomas

I named it Master Tetrahedron because its a higher order design of Tony fishers Tetrahedron/Halpern mayer pyramid

I guess since its a skewb mech then it can be made into a mental block. and I wasn't even thinking master skewb before I made it. I just wanted a 5x5x5 rubik's cube in tetrahedron form

The Master Tetrahedron is indeed a Master Skewb shape variation.

From here, you could indeed just change the outsides, but keep the mechanism identical, and make things such as a Master Mental Block, Master Skewb Diamond (I think that would be cool) as well as many other skewb mods.

Anyone up for a Master Rhombic Dodecahedron?





Personally, I love the Master Skewb. I would prefer to add that to my collection than a Master Tetrahedron. (No offense of course. I'd still love to have one of these. They are amazing.)

For a first mod, that is indeed extremely impressive.
And with all that effort for putting the stickers,
I would feel really scared to mix it up LOL

Well done!!!




Pantazis

I have been watching to side on the Master Tetrahedron you made. AMAZING!! I would love to have one! I think you should make the Master Skewb and the other Skewb mods too. Nicely done!

Fantastic. An ambitious project well executed.

My full respect, this looks like the result has quite a good quality, the videos show, that the movement seems to be Ok.

What is your personal impression about the result?
Are you satisfied with it or did you expect less/more?
Do the pieces of the puzzle stick together properly during moves or are they too loose?

- Frank -

In all honesty I'm amazed the thing actually turns! when I first assembled it, after the casting and zero sanding, the thing could not budge even a centimeter, but after some internal sanding, it does!

I think the result is above my expectation, and it isn't too difficult to turn. I'm not fully satisfied with the turning because some of the second layer pieces are very loose I'll admit, however I will blame my over sanding of the master pieces I used to cast ( I printed 3 pieces of each, and altered only 1 of each piece, so the other masters are unaltered) so the other pieces may cast a tighter result.

Even though the pieces are a bit loose it still functioned perfectly. after turning the puzzle for a while some sides will unscrew, or loosen up, I stop before they pop off. so some super glue will be needed to hold those in on the final product.

It's beautiful. Excellent work, especially for a first puzzle! I'm glad that your concept has been realized.

I love your first awesome puzzle that you have made. I was just curious to why the outside pieces are twice the thickness then the inside pieces?

I'll PM you.

Ka-Ching

The pieces on the outside have to be thicker if I want to:

1: have the edges remain flat
2: have a center piece large enough to hold a screw/washer
3: in order to allow the corner to remain connected to the center, otherwise the puzzle will fall apart.

I really like this puzzle - it looks really hard to solve, but I'm amazed that you could design and build something like this at home. Very cool, I'd buy one!