3x4x5 cuboid puzzle (fully functional)

3x4x5 Cuboid
 
Designed by: TomZ   contact | Shop: Tom's Puzzles
4.6 w x 3.0 d x 2.6 h in cm |

The 3x4x5 has been mass produced! Get one for just $32 (free shipping!) from Mefferts.com
Finally! A fully functional 3x4x5 puzzle is now available to everybody. After three design iterations, I finally have an affordable, stable, smooth-turning and solid design. This puzzle is very difficult to solve due to the constraints imposed and is a challenge for any puzzle solver.  

The video shows 3x4x5 V3, for sale is V4, which is only very slightly different and works even better than V3. This puzzle (V4) has been prototyped.

This puzzle comes as a DIY kit. You will only get the 3D printed parts. You will need to supply your own M3 washers, springs and screws (x6). You will also need one Cubesmith 4x4x4 tile set and two extra singles for the 3x5 sides. Please note that using regular stickers with this puzzle is not recommended, only tiles are suitable.
Alternatively, contact met at tom [AT] tomvanderzanden [DOT] nl to purchase a fully assembled and stickered puzzle.

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Comments  6

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Have you tried tightening the screws a little? I had to tighten all of them on my copy a fair bit from the default setting to get it to turn good but given what I've seen myself I'm happy to recommend it. I told MF8 about my experience with the tension but it looks like they didn't take my advice. I am of course extremely unhappy that people have received bad puzzles and I'll consider that on my next collaboration.
Admittedly the MF8 one is worse than my original, but I don't think it's too bad. It's definitely better value than what I can offer from Shapeways.
Sun Jan 29 13:45:22 2012 by TomZ
Strictly speaking, this model has NOT been mass produced, please make that clear, don't let people think they're getting the same product described here at a cheaper price. They will just get a very, very cheap imitation. The MF8 version is horrible, it locks on just every turn of the 3x4 faces, it may even explode if you're not careful. You shouldn't have allowed them to use your name to advertise their product. I was fooled by their description and now I have a piece of junk in my hand. Don't take my word for it: see the reviews and discussions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpyReQ3d6vU and http://twistypuzzles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&p=275389
Sun Jan 29 13:35:47 2012 by bzfool
I just received the 3x4x5 puzzle, fully assembled and stickered. Fantastic job!  It's a very well crafted puzzle, durable and with just the right tension. Far superior to other mods. I also like the shape shifting capacity.
I scrambled it almost as soon as I opened it, but I wasn't brave enough to scramble it with shape shifting. After much playing around and applying some modifications of algorithms, I did solve it, but I think I more just stumbled on the solution rather then actually develop a strategy. Any tutorials on your cube out there, or any advice regarding overall strategy for solving it, even with the shapeshifting (I may get brave later tonight and do another scramble)?
Thanks again for the timeliness of your service and product, a great addition to my collection.
Fri Mar 18 01:42:18 2011 by Jlovy
@Rouricht: You will need 6 M3 screws, about 10-15mm long. You might want to use some M3 springs, the type you can find in most Rubik's Cubes. If you don't have a spare Rubik's Cube, you could purchase some springs from here: http://9spuzzles.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=91&productname= (please note that he screws that come in that package don't fit, they're too long)
Thu Nov 4 18:50:45 2010 by TomZ
Hi i have a question :) which screws do i need (and springs) ? which size :) i will buy one if you tell me :D
Thu Nov 4 18:34:50 2010 by Rouricht
The dimensions as listed on Shapeways are not the dimensions of the actual object. They're just the dimensions of the box in which the parts are arranged for printing.
The actual cubies are around 16mm cubed.
Tue Jul 6 18:46:22 2010 by TomZ
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