Are there any specific pieces that are best to start with, or screws that can/need to be removed? I don't want to break any pieces or stretch it out any more than necessary and make it too loose. I'm kinda curious if it's anything like I think it is (how I would design it if I were to) or like the 6x6x6 design I'm toying around with.

I haven't seen anything about it on the net so I'll ask here. If you can help, thanks

Simply turn the second layer 45 degrees, and then the edge piece should pop out without too much force. You may need to take out a bunch of them before the puzzle starts to fall apart on you. Like the Rubik's Revenge before it, getting it back together is quite the challenge... perhaps even more time consuming than simply solving the cube! L8r.