From cube-lovers-errors@mc.lcs.mit.edu Tue Apr 13 12:28:58 1999 Return-Path: Received: from sun28.aic.nrl.navy.mil (sun28.aic.nrl.navy.mil [132.250.84.38]) by mc.lcs.mit.edu (8.9.1a/8.9.1-mod) with SMTP id MAA20809 for ; Tue, 13 Apr 1999 12:28:58 -0400 (EDT) Precedence: bulk Errors-To: cube-lovers-errors@mc.lcs.mit.edu Message-Id: <37134515.4AD5@zeta.org.au> Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 23:22:29 +1000 From: Wayne Johnson Reply-To: sausage@zeta.org.au To: Cube-Lovers@ai.mit.edu Subject: Building a twisty puzzle I have been in the process of building plans for a twisty puzzle that is no longer available. I have been re-doing the design for a few weeks now and I want to start molding or crafting the pieces soon. This is where I am coming undone. I believe I will have some success crafting the three different pieces required using clay, and filing back the pieces once dry. >From here, I believe making plaster cast molds of the clay pieces will allow me to start making all the identical pieces. Now, the problem... what can I use to fill the mold? Can I use plastics or a type of resin? I would greatly appreciate any ideas or input. I'll be posting the design on my site as soon as they are nearing completion. Maybe I can get comments on whether the whole thing will work at all. Many thanks, Wayne www.zeta.org.au/~sausage [ Moderator's note: Should this turn out to be a puzzle covered by a patent, I'll have to drop discussion of the subject. It is my under- standing that construction of patented objects is an infringement even if the object is made for personal use, and even if the patent holder has ceased production. But I have no objections to the general topic of materials and construction techniques suitable for puzzles, though if any subscribers find this drifting too far from the topic, please let cube-lovers-request@ai.mit.edu know. --Dan ]