This is the 2x2x2 StarWars Rubik's Cube (Kellogo's), there is one screw. If you look inside you will see it, you can unscrew it a bit and remove the pieces.

It is a bal machinisme with triangle slides, just like the 2x2x2 keychain meffert Pyramorphix Keychain. Now you know why they turn so bad.

I do not think this version is any good for puzzle building

But I wanted to make a sculpture of a man and woman as a wedding present. So I will combine two Star Wars Heads and see what I can make of it.

Ton

It actually disturbs me to see the puzzle in pieces. I'm not sure why but it does.

:-) I love to take things apart. And puzzles are not an exception here. I took a Kellogg's Star Wars puzzle head apart a long time ago, using the same method. It has two screws opposite one another, and you need to find at least one of those. Then you reach inside with a thin cross driver, and loosen one screw, but not remove it completely. After that it's easy to remove puzzle pieces one by one.

These puzzle heads are stiff, but you can make them work nicer. For that you need to remove tiny traces of mould lines that are on the outer parts of roundy triangles connected to each puzzle piece with a screw. Few touches with sanding paper, or simply a tool knife is enough to make the surface completely even. After that, slide each puzzle pieces around the ball under each and every mushroom-like part, and make sure it slides easily. You may need to loosen those that have screws in them. When I did all that, and assemled the puzzle back to original state, I had to loosen one of the screws again, but that depends. The puzzle is now easy to turn.

I guess, another change could be to round all puzzle parts sides that go inside, so that you would not need to align the puzzle so carefully. But I did not do that.

I will reiterate what Tyler said about this mechanism.

http://twistypuzzles.com/cgi-bin/fs.cgi ... gi?pid=575

It could be used to make a mini 4x4x4. I suppose any 2x2x2 could, but this one is a little closer to what would be needed.

Another silly idea, if you happen to have 11 sets of these heads, you can make all 66 possible heads. That is every possible combination of two faces ;)

Max

Call me silly, but how doeas this make a 4x4x4?

I just see a 2x2x2
Ton

Ton, its like the inverse of how a rubiks 4x4x4 works. The ball holds the corners, the corners hold the edges and the edges hold the centres.

Because everthing is only held on one side, keys like the 2x2x4 extensions would be needed and the squares on the ball would need to be built up and smoothed off so they would support pieces from below.

Max

Great tips to upgrade this 2x2x2 type!

And you learn a lot on puzzle contructions if you take puzzles apart. I always want to disassemble a puzzle, execept the ones that are sealed collectibles ;)

Wow Max, im suprised you even though to pull that up...
I never would have, and I wrote it

Yes, I am afraid that I miss something, at most it looks like a 3x3x3 without edges.

I can not see any 4x4x4 that could be made of this kernel. What I can see is a 3x3x3 with a rounded center. So you could make a ball shaped 2x2x2 with a rounded center!

I know know what Max stated, this is more or less the basic principles of the K-32 Ball. But a real 4x4x4 like this would be unstable this small.

Ton, do your friends look like two of the starwars characters? This would be an easy way to make an interesting puzzle for a couple ;)

Max

The woman, yes for the man part I must do some sculpture work, I hope I can do that. But I will make the puzzle version of the bride and groom couple just like on a wedding cake.

Ton