Non infinity cube

Non infinity cube is a clever mechanical puzzle that was invented over 40 years ago by Vladimir Krasnoukhov. Originally called “Emelya’s Stove,” the name draws from Russian folklore (though the cultural reference doesn’t easily translate), hence its English name: the Non-Infinity Cube.

There are several challenges (24) that consist of symmetrical shapes to make by folding the cubes in some specific ways. So you really get a lot of puzzling for your money.

I found it pretty pleasant to play with the puzzle (it has a fidgety aspect) and even if you cannot make the official required shapes, well I guess you can find some as well and create your own challenges!

 
Making the required shapes is not that easy (nor it's overly difficult), it took me many moves including false progress (aka going back to the initial state...) to achieve some. I still need to work on this puzzles to achieve all the official shapes.

I have a small concern as the puzzle is entirely made with 3D printers (even the hinges): no force at all should be applied to the cubes. If you cannot fold a cube, don't insist or you will break the puzzle. And for this, maybe it's better to avoid letting children play with the puzzle (or consider a certain age above which it's ok).

By the way, I need to figure out something: on each side of each dice we can see dots like on real dice. But the challenges are only about shapes. So either there ar emore challenges for which you need to have one dot on one dice close to two dots on another dice. Or it's just to help you for the solution (or give hints) if any solutions exist...

 

I really like this puzzle. Well I usually like when you have many challenges for one puzzle and I always like building games. So if you're like me, I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

You can buy the puzzle on Puzzle Master website. 

 

JIGS4W

JIGS4W belongs to a series of packing puzzles designed by Haym Hirsh and they look like MINE's puzzles in their design and goal.

 

A quick comment about the quality: it's well crafted by NothingYet Designs company, the fit is very precise. However, I am not a fan of the screws. I would have prefers that the 2 layers be glued. It does not take more time (or slightly more) and gives a way better look. Just my opinion here.

 

Now, what about the solve? These kind of puzzles are deceptively difficult to solve because of all the possibilities to put these 2 pieces and well to be honest you will have to use the trial and errors approach method initially. Then you can try to use other approches: one logically is put a piece and see if you have space for another one. Also another method that I try to use is pretty original: see if there is like a symmetry whether considering how the pieces are arranged or considering the remaining empty spaces (yes, they can form a symmetry). 

That method does not always work, but if the design is good enough, the designer should try (just my 2 cents here) to achieve a symmetry or kind of a beauty in the slved state instead of just putting pieces here and there randomly and have a "desorganized" patterns. But well, this is up to the designer's choices after all !

 

Anyway, I struggled a lot with the puzzle but finally beat it! So yes, I am proud of myself. And this is something you should be ashamed of saying. When there is a success, it should / has to be mentioned :)

 

Honestly, I really advise the puzzle because it's a great challenge. And you can also carry it with you as it's provided with a plastic bag to avoid losing pieces. 

You can buy the puzzles on Puzzle Master Webshop as well as other puzzles in the series.