Thank You! (and a Little Model #357 News)

Folks seem to like my Model #357 and I couldn’t be happier with the compliments on its solution and appearance. So here’s a big THANK YOU to all you puzzlers! It’s hard to exaggerate how good it feels to spend years on making something you think is cool, hoping that others will too, and then finding out that they do. Again, thanks! Several puzzle shops have asked if they could sell the #357s and of […]

More

Model #357 is Ready (Updated 11/27/23)

I can’t deny that producing Model #357 has had more than its fair share of twists and turns but the main thing now is … It’s done! I assembled, tested, retested, and boxed every single one of them: Based on hearing what my customers have asked for and seeing what other puzzle makers do, I’ve decided to announce the release date well in advance so that people don’t miss out on getting one. Personally, I […]

More

News and Pix for Model #357

I finally have some real progress to report on Model #357. I’ve assembled about a third of them and am busily at work assembling the rest. I received the raw parts from the machine shop back in May and the quality greatly exceeded my expectations. The finish, which is bead-blasted and black anodized, looks as good as I had hoped. Have a look: So that’s the good news. The bad news is that it is […]

More

A Little Model #360 News (UPDATED 8/16/18)

Just a quick update on the Model #360 puzzle. I am sold out on my first batch but plan to produce some more this weekend. My apologies if you went to my Etsy store and couldn’t find the puzzle – try again next week. The good news is you can also buy them in person or online at Eureka! Puzzles in Brookline, MA, USA Also, I shipped some to my good friends at: Oy Sloyd Ab […]

More

Model #360 is Ready

They said it couldn’t be done! They said it would cost millions of lives! They said I was crazy to try! Well, I showed them! Mwa-ha-ha-ha! Model #360 is finally done: And here’s a picture of the top showing the logo with the blue ink that takes me forever to add: It’s pretty hefty by the way, 11 1/2 ounces (325 grams). I have enough metal parts to make a hundred in total but will […]

More

Model #360 Update

Hooray! I received the first sample of Model #360 back from my machine shop this weekend and, in my humble opinion, it looks great. The nickel-plating turned out the way I was hoping. Here’s a shot of the top:   My plan is to fill the engraved logo with turquoise-colored ink and hopefully that won’t be as ridiculously labor-intensive as the red ink was on Model #808. Here’s the bottom:   Here’s the front:   […]

More

Model #360

I’ve been plugging away at my next puzzle, Model #360, for some time now. I made the first prototype out of wood, oak I think, back in the late 1990’s and it was pretty bulky. It sat in a box until I found a machinist to make me some slimmer models from delrin. Then I changed jobs and other interests and responsibilities consumed my time so it sat on a metaphorical shelf for another couple […]

More

Update on Model #808

I have a couple of things to report about my Model #808 puzzle. First of all, I’m sold out (!). I’m kind of in shock because I had expected to sell two or three of them a month for the next couple of years, not all 106 of them in eleven weeks. Second, if you’re trying to find one, I would suggest checking with these fantastic puzzle stores who have the #808 for sale: Eureka! […]

More

Model #808 is Done!

Surf’s up! Dinner is served! Lift-off! Well, the day has finally arrived and Model #808 is now available for purchase. There are only 106 of them – that’s all I made – so if you’re interested please head over to my Etsy store. And here it is: I have to say, everything about this process took longer than I expected so it’s a great relief to have at last reached the finish line. I never […]

More

First Batch of Puzzle #808

Since my last post on Model #808, I have learned a lot about machining and manufacturing. For one, I realized I needed a professional mechanical engineer to do the tolerancing of my design and prepare proper design drawings. I had previously tried to get by with the .STL files generated by my 3D design tools. For another, I learned that cost is not the only factor to consider when choosing a machine shop. I am […]

More