The puzzles here are my own designs unless noted. The puzzles will arrive unassembled, you will have to figure out how to assemble them. Painting these puzzles is not recommended because it will destroy the fit, for coloring I use fabric dyes.
All puzzles here were designed using open source software!
All puzzles here were designed using open source software!
We found 29 products by gibell
by
gibell
This is a famous puzzle designed by Stewart Coffin 40 years ago. Wood copies must be made with great accuracy and have become sought-after collectors items selling for several hundred dollars. This leads to the current state of affairs where many people have never even seen this excellent puzzle. I had never seen one, so I exported the pieces from BurrTools and printed out a copy. Now anyone can order an inexpensive copy of this puzzle.
Six pieces, all different, assemble into a cube with side 32mm or about 1.25 inches.
For some reason Shapeways has been unable to dye this model, although as you see I was able to dye it myself with no problems. Thus the model is only available now in Polished White, Strong and Flexible.
BurrTools STL export parameters: Unit Size: 8.0, Bevel: 0.2, Offset: 0.0, Wall Thickness: 1.0, Tubes size: 0.0
Six pieces, all different, assemble into a cube with side 32mm or about 1.25 inches.
For some reason Shapeways has been unable to dye this model, although as you see I was able to dye it myself with no problems. Thus the model is only available now in Polished White, Strong and Flexible.
BurrTools STL export parameters: Unit Size: 8.0, Bevel: 0.2, Offset: 0.0, Wall Thickness: 1.0, Tubes size: 0.0
by
gibell
A fascinating 4-piece puzzle with 2 identical pieces and 2 identical mirror images which interlocks into a tetrahedron. This puzzle was invented around 1988 by Leonard Gordon. Subsequently rediscovered by Hirokazu Iwasawa and also myself. Bernhard Wiezorke called it "Stan's Tetrahedron" because he thought it had been invented by Stan Isaacs (Stan did invent a different puzzle with the same final shape).
This is one of the few puzzles here that can be assembled using rigid pieces. The final assembly is very stable. Made from 12mm diameter hollow spheres. Update Feb 14 2010: the new version has no holes visible when assembled.
This is one of the few puzzles here that can be assembled using rigid pieces. The final assembly is very stable. Made from 12mm diameter hollow spheres. Update Feb 14 2010: the new version has no holes visible when assembled.
by
gibell
Four pieces assemble into an octahedron using coordinate motion. Made from 19 rhombic dodecahedrons. The "child" is the locking piece - a small tetrahedron. The assembled puzzle is 5cm or 2 inches tip to tip.
by
gibell
Three pieces assemble into a symmetrical shape. This was my exchange puzzle for IPP31. Please contact me if you would like to purchase the wood exchange version. This version is plastic and the fit is perfect. This puzzle is also much easier to disassemble when you color each piece differently.
Notes: Offset 0.03, Two 1.2 mm thick pieces
Notes: Offset 0.03, Two 1.2 mm thick pieces
by
gibell
Four pieces interlock into a truncated tetrahedron. Assembly is very confusing and requires rotational moves.
by
gibell
A puzzle designed by Viktor Genel, who has approved it's listing here. Tom Lensch made the important modification of using small cubes. An unusual design using both spheres (2cm diameter) and cubes.
by
gibell
Stewart Coffin's Peanut Puzzle, modified by starting from 2.5cm (about 1 inch) diameter spheres. The six pieces are all different. This puzzle assembles into many different shapes, shown in the photos. Interestingly, in the wood version of this puzzle, the "Triangle" shape is impossible to constuct - but using spheres, it is possible.
The pieces will fit tightly out of the box. I recommend scrubbing them with a toothbrush in soapy water for a perfect fit. One finishing technique is to dye each piece a different color.
The pieces will fit tightly out of the box. I recommend scrubbing them with a toothbrush in soapy water for a perfect fit. One finishing technique is to dye each piece a different color.
by
gibell
Three puzzle pieces made from (truncated) rhombic dodecahedrons assemble into a cube-like shape. Assembly is confusing and the three pieces mutually block one another. In fact, assembly is impossible with rigid pieces.
The name derives from the fact that these three pieces just don't want to go together. Like the atomic nucleus, once assembly is accomplished the pieces are locked tightly together. Getting them apart is actually not so easy either. This puzzle will test the limits of "strong, white and flexible". Warning: some force is required for assembly.
The name derives from the fact that these three pieces just don't want to go together. Like the atomic nucleus, once assembly is accomplished the pieces are locked tightly together. Getting them apart is actually not so easy either. This puzzle will test the limits of "strong, white and flexible". Warning: some force is required for assembly.
by
gibell
A burr puzzle using 4 identical pieces. Not too difficult, but made harder by the small size of the pieces! It comes apart easily but is trickier to put back together.
Many puzzles of this kind can be assembled by pairing pieces and then mating identical halves. The solution to this puzzle is more complicated than this. No rotation or twisting moves are required. The completed puzzle is 1.5 cm on a side.
Many puzzles of this kind can be assembled by pairing pieces and then mating identical halves. The solution to this puzzle is more complicated than this. No rotation or twisting moves are required. The completed puzzle is 1.5 cm on a side.
by
gibell
A tricky two-piece puzzle invented by Tom Jolly. Tom receives a share of the profits in the sales of this puzzle. Made from 1cm cubes, the completed puzzle is a 4cm cube.
The puzzle pieces are hollow but have "extra thick" 1.5mm walls for greater stiffness. This prevents "illegal moves" that can be done by flexing the pieces.
The most difficult task is putting this puzzle together, and unfortunately it will come unassembled. Somewhat easier, but still tricky, is taking it apart.
The puzzle pieces are hollow but have "extra thick" 1.5mm walls for greater stiffness. This prevents "illegal moves" that can be done by flexing the pieces.
The most difficult task is putting this puzzle together, and unfortunately it will come unassembled. Somewhat easier, but still tricky, is taking it apart.
by
gibell
A fascinating 4-piece puzzle with 2 identical pieces and 2 identical mirror images which interlocks into a tetrahedron. This is the metal version of "Stan's Tetrahedron" at http://www.shapeways.com/model/53194/stan_s_tetrahedron.html It fits nicely out of the box, although the fit is a bit looser than in the plastic (WSF) version of the same puzzle. Update Mar 15 2010: the new version has no holes visible when assembled. Sphere diameter: 12mm.
Only a few copies of this puzzle have been printed. It is quite expensive and I am not sure if the tolerances in metal are good enough to reproduce it reliably.
Only a few copies of this puzzle have been printed. It is quite expensive and I am not sure if the tolerances in metal are good enough to reproduce it reliably.
by
gibell
Assemble ten identical pieces (plus a small icosahedron) into a 5 cm diameter ball. The geometry here is very confusing, but it is based on a dissection of an icosahedron. More than 10 prototypes were made of this puzzle, because the angles have to be just right, and proper exploding depends on the friction between the pieces. The pieces need to be quite smooth for proper operation, so it is now available only in polished, white strong and flexible. The photos show how I have dyed it in 5 colors.
The small icosahedron can be replaced by a standard size D20 (~19mm face to face, the photos show a Game Science D20). This puzzle fits rather tightly out of the box, but loosens up with time. Sanding is no longer necessary.
This puzzle was designed by Stephen Chin. In 2010, the wooden version won an award in an international puzzle design competition.
The small icosahedron can be replaced by a standard size D20 (~19mm face to face, the photos show a Game Science D20). This puzzle fits rather tightly out of the box, but loosens up with time. Sanding is no longer necessary.
This puzzle was designed by Stephen Chin. In 2010, the wooden version won an award in an international puzzle design competition.
by
gibell
This puzzle consists of three identical pieces which rather surprisingly interlock into an octahedron. Each piece is made from 3D printed spheres connected by cylinders, there are no notches, grooves, or latches holding it together! It is a fairly easy puzzle to put together, and by adding a thread on the top loop, it makes a nice addition to any Christmas tree. When assembled it measures 5 cm or 2 inches tip to tip. This is a joint design by myself and Rolando Pontalti.
One piece has a small loop on which to string it. String or thread for hanging not included. I recommend ordering it in the "Winter Red" or "Winter Green" color.
Follow this link for a 1-page pdf with assembly instructions.
One piece has a small loop on which to string it. String or thread for hanging not included. I recommend ordering it in the "Winter Red" or "Winter Green" color.
Follow this link for a 1-page pdf with assembly instructions.
by
gibell
Stewart Coffin's Peanut Puzzle, modified by starting from 3cm diameter spheres. Includes six different pieces (the Coffin puzzle) plus two "end caps". The standard puzzle assembles into many different shapes, with the end caps literally thousands of shapes become possible.
The pieces will fit tightly out of the box. I recommend scrubbing them with a toothbrush in soapy water for a perfect fit. One nice finishing technique is to dye them 7 different colors.
The pieces will fit tightly out of the box. I recommend scrubbing them with a toothbrush in soapy water for a perfect fit. One nice finishing technique is to dye them 7 different colors.
by
gibell
Four puzzle pieces assemble into an interlocking octahedron. This puzzle is similar to my "Screwy Octahedron" except it uses three identical screw-shaped pieces. This puzzle would be difficult to make in any way other than 3D printing due to the complex 3D shapes of the pieces. Assembly requires coordinate motion.
Notes: Uses 13mm diameter spheres. Screw piece have offset 0.1mm, Y piece has offset 0.0mm.
Only a single copy of this puzzle exists. It is quite expensive and I am not sure if the tolerances in metal are good enough to reproduce it reliably.
Notes: Uses 13mm diameter spheres. Screw piece have offset 0.1mm, Y piece has offset 0.0mm.
Only a single copy of this puzzle exists. It is quite expensive and I am not sure if the tolerances in metal are good enough to reproduce it reliably.
by
gibell
Three different solids of constant width 3cm. These are hollow and have internal stiffeners. Each is a solid of revolution from a different plane curve. You get a Reuleaux triangle, a rounded Reuleaux triangle, and a Reuleaux pentagon. All of them have width 3 cm in any direction.
Check out other solids of constant width 3cm that work with these.
Check out other solids of constant width 3cm that work with these.
by
gibell
Can three screw-shaped pieces plus another with tri-lateral symmetry be assembled into an octahedron? It doesn't seem likely, yet the assembly even interlocks solidly. The assembled puzzle makes a nice top which spins smoothly without falling apart. Made from 13mm hollow spheres.
This puzzle is ideal for 3D printing. It would be very difficult to make it out of wood due to the complex 3D shape of the pieces and the slight flexibility needed. Wood pieces tend to break.
This was my exchange puzzle at the 30th International Puzzle Party in July, 2010.
This puzzle is ideal for 3D printing. It would be very difficult to make it out of wood due to the complex 3D shape of the pieces and the slight flexibility needed. Wood pieces tend to break.
This was my exchange puzzle at the 30th International Puzzle Party in July, 2010.
by
gibell
This is my favorite pyramid design. Four puzzle pieces interlock into a 20-ball tetrahedron (or 3-sided pyramid). Assembly of this puzzle is very confusing. Even when you understand where the pieces go, you still have to figure out how to get them there. Assembly is only possible for pieces with a little bit of flex, as these plastic pieces have.
The final pyramid is very stable, must be pried apart. Made from 12mm diameter hollow spheres.
See http://home.comcast.net/~gibell/puzzles/IT/InterlockingTetra.html for hints and a solution page.
I have stiffened this version by increasing wall thickness.
The final pyramid is very stable, must be pried apart. Made from 12mm diameter hollow spheres.
See http://home.comcast.net/~gibell/puzzles/IT/InterlockingTetra.html for hints and a solution page.
I have stiffened this version by increasing wall thickness.
by
gibell
Two mirror image pieces assemble into a hollow polyhedron with curved faces. The final shape is the solid defined by the intersection of three cylinders at right angles, sometimes called a Steinmetz solid or tricyclinder. I call it a Pillowhedron, in reference to Stewart Coffin's Pennyhedron Puzzle which inspired it. This puzzle is surprisingly difficult to take apart. This version is printed in three colors.
The color sandstone works nicely for this puzzle. The fit is quite tight off the printer, I had to rub the joining faces together a bit to get it together. Then it goes together with a snap (literally). Definitely not trivial to get it apart, as the colors help to confuse the issue, and the joints are fairly well hidden.
This puzzle is the size of a ping-pong ball (4cm diameter). Play with this puzzle over a carpet because a drop onto a hard floor will chip or break the pieces.
The color sandstone works nicely for this puzzle. The fit is quite tight off the printer, I had to rub the joining faces together a bit to get it together. Then it goes together with a snap (literally). Definitely not trivial to get it apart, as the colors help to confuse the issue, and the joints are fairly well hidden.
This puzzle is the size of a ping-pong ball (4cm diameter). Play with this puzzle over a carpet because a drop onto a hard floor will chip or break the pieces.
by
gibell
A tetrahedron puzzle to go with your Christmas Octahedron. This puzzle has two pieces which can be snapped together. You just need to find the correct orientation and rotation to assemble it.
The tetrahedron is about 4 cm or 1.5 inches in height. The spheres are 15 mm in diameter. I have added a loop to the puzzle, but you will have to supply a loop of thread for hanging.
Follow this link for a 1-page pdf with assembly instructions.
The tetrahedron is about 4 cm or 1.5 inches in height. The spheres are 15 mm in diameter. I have added a loop to the puzzle, but you will have to supply a loop of thread for hanging.
Follow this link for a 1-page pdf with assembly instructions.
by
gibell
Five intersecting tetrahedra with an icosahedron inside them. There is just enough space between all the pieces that it will print as 6 separate objects. The edge length of the tetrahedron is 7.5cm, it stands 8.6 cm high, about the size of a tennis ball.
by
gibell
A smaller version of Five Intersecting Tetrahedra without an icosahedron inside. There is just enough space between the pieces that it will print as 5 separate objects. The edge length of the tetrahedron is 5cm, it stands 5.7 cm high. Without the inner icosa, this version will allow more movement of the pieces. I have also rounded the tetrahedra corners so they aren't so sharp.
The photos show the model printed in white and colored by hand using fine point felt-tipped pens. I inserted small pieces of paper to protect the other pieces while coloring one, I was somewhat successful. I was able to color each piece completely on the outside, but I didn't try to color the insides as you can see in the photos.
The photos show the model printed in white and colored by hand using fine point felt-tipped pens. I inserted small pieces of paper to protect the other pieces while coloring one, I was somewhat successful. I was able to color each piece completely on the outside, but I didn't try to color the insides as you can see in the photos.
by
gibell
A 12 piece puzzle by Stewart Coffin. See
http://www.puzzleworld.org/puzzleworld/puz/twelve_piece_separation.htm
Comes undyed. This is a difficult puzzle to assemble, for experienced puzzlers only!
by
gibell
Made from four iterations of the Koch Fractal, a fractal pattern which looks like a snowflake.
by
gibell
Made from four iterations of the Koch snowflake fractal. A smaller size version of the original Koch Fractal Ornament.
by
gibell
A version of the Koch fractal ornament designed for the frosted ultra detail material.
by
gibell
Three different solids of constant width 3cm. These are hollow and have internal stiffeners. Each is a solid of revolution from a different plane curve. You get a very rounded Reuleaux triangle, a rounded Reuleaux pentagon, and a Reuleaux heptagon. All of them have width 3 cm in any direction.
by
gibell
A box packing puzzle invented by Leonard Gordon more than 25 years ago. This is the original version of the puzzle, made from joined spheres. The eight pieces are identical and sized so that they fit in a golf ball case.
It is possible to pack 6 of these pieces into the box in a way where it appears completely filled, with no room for any more pieces (or even one more sphere). This is an interesting way to present this puzzle to someone, can they add not one but two more pieces and close the box?
by
gibell
A box packing puzzle invented by Leonard Gordon more than 25 years ago. Originally devised from pieces made from joined spheres, here I use truncated rhombic dodecahedra or edge beveled cubes. The eight pieces are identical and sized so that they fit in a golf ball case.
Four of the pieces can also be interlocked to form a truncated tetradedron. This is a second puzzle, called "Blossom".
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