It’s been over two years since I came out with my last major puzzle, Model #360, and that’s certainly not what I had planned. Instead of just focusing on a single design and getting it out quickly, I’ve been working on four and progress on all of them has, predictably, suffered. However, the end to this long dry spell is in sight. Here is a picture of a working prototype of my next puzzle, Model #357:
This prototype was 3D printed in sintered nylon and the final version will be machined from aluminum. I haven’t decided whether to anodize it with different colors for the top and bottom pieces or give it a nickel-plated finish as I did with the Model #360. Here’s a computer rendering of the nickel-plated version:
The puzzle is basically a cube with rounded edges and holes in every side. It’s made up of two pieces that fit together and, as usual, the goal is to figure out how they come apart. The prototype works beautifully and at this point I’m waiting to hear back from machine shops on how much it will cost to make. I don’t want to give anything away but the the shapes of the two pieces are way more complicated than the shapes I used for my first two puzzles. I’m told that that will drive up the machining time and cost. Fingers crossed!
Model #808 and Model #360 were both two-piece puzzles that used spring plungers to keep the pieces aligned so that the internal locking mechanism would work properly. With the Model #357 I’ve shifted to using magnets for keeping the pieces lined up and they also improve the feel when the puzzle is disassembled. Another difference to the earlier puzzles is that the Model #357 won’t be limited to a 100 unit production run, though each will carry a unique serial number. I expect to make an initial batch of 100 and then see how it goes.
There are about a thousand cool things I would like to say about the Model #357 but I don’t want to inadvertently give away the solution. I was very pleased with myself after designing the Model #360 and thought it would hold the attention of some puzzlers I greatly admire for at least a day or two. Imagine my dismay when one of them told me – in a perfectly friendly way, mind you – that he had solved it in about 10 minutes. I was crushed and resolved to devise a puzzle that would take him at least, oh I don’t know, at least 11 minutes. Actually, I think I overshot the mark but that’s for all you puzzlers out there to decide.
Hey John! Long time no speak! I own the model 360 and would love this one too! Can you sign me up?
Thanks for your interest and glad you enjoyed the #360! I don’t have an official sign-up sheet or anything but if you sign up for my newsletter (https://pyrigan.com/newsletter/) you will be the first to hear when the puzzle is released. Also, I haven’t figured out pricing for the puzzle and I wouldn’t feel right about assuming you want one no matter what the price. By the way, the newsletter is only for announcing new puzzles for sale, not for each new blog post I write. (I’m trying not to spam people.) Lastly, I still have quite a few steps to go before Model #357 goes on sale and I will be blogging about my progress along the way – you’ll have lots of advance notice that it’s nearing completion.
This is amazing news! I have been checking this site every day awaiting your next puzzle. I have both #808 and #360. They both took me and my wife much longer than 10 minutes and are beautiful, so no worries there.
I look forward to this next puzzle.
Wow, thanks for your support! Glad to hear you enjoyed the first two and I hope the #357 lives up to expectations!
I hope you and your family are well and safe, I would love to buy a 357 puzzle when it becomes available. I understand it will be awhile before it is ready. I will be patient. Please let me know when it is ready to purchase. Thank you
Yup, we’re all healthy – hope you and yours are too! Model #357 is making progress though it’s still hard to predict when the first batch will be ready for sale. I see you’re on the newsletter subscription list so you’ll get an email once it is. Thanks for your interest!
Hi John, I am big fan of your puzzles and very interested in your puzzle model #357! I am very curious about the current status of the puzzle. Will it be available soon? Hope so. Thanks and take care, Rob
It’s a good news / bad news thing: the good news is that Model #357 is moving ahead and the bad news is that I hit a major design snag around Thanksgiving last year which cost me a lot of time. I will post an update on the main blog. Thanks for checking in (and for being so patient!).