This puzzle was suggested by Andreas Nortmann. His explanation was as follows:


So it's a hybrid of a 2x2x2 and an Offset Skewb. While such a puzzle could make 90 degree turns like some cuboids which can shapeshift, I have deliberately blocked those moves in the design, in order to accentuate the weird symmetry of the design and also, to make solving more difficult.
Mechanically, this puzzle is much simpler than a 2x2x2 + Skewb. It turns quite fine (a bit too loose by my definitions, but definitely playable). Unfortunately, the blocking mechanism for the 90 degree moves isn't quite strong enough, so there are cases in which you can force the puzzle to do a 90 degree move (but you will know you did something wrong quickly as turns will bind up). This should be quite easy to fix.





The puzzle measures 57mm, just like a normal 3x3x3 cube. It will be available from my shop shortly.

VIDEO

Finally, sorry to Andreas for taking so long to get this puzzle out. It has been finished for about two months now. Oh Carl, I'm also sorry to you for a similar reason. But yours needs a little more handwork before I can show it.

Finally! I've been waiting to see this puzzle for ages. But it was most certainly worth the wait. Beautiful! This is quite a perculiar puzzle in comparison to your other puzzles, but it is certainly one of my favourite. I really hope I can buy one of these. It's a great puzzle to start your 2011 year of puzzles.

Beautiful! Am I the only one who thinks that would look absolutely amazing as an octahedron?

Actually, I believe a tetrahedron would be more interesting and amazing than an octahedron, seeing as it would be a non shapeshifting Pyramorphinx + Jing's Pyraminx. Actually, a dodecahedron would be pretty amazing too! In fact, all shape would be amazing with this puzzle.

Wow I've been waiting a long time for this one... What happened wrong?

I love it, though

I love the style of the cuts, it is truly a beautiful puzzle. The turning is great too!

Ingenious. Thanks for this beautiful creation!

I agree. It's more natural to think of it as a tetrahedron. I just modeled it in Ultimate Magic Cube with face cuts (depth=108) and edge cuts (depth = 180).

Now that was unexpected. Nice work as usual Tom!

-Eitan

Great puzzle!
And Andreas Nortmann's idea is good.
I think ether 180 degree or 90 degree turning of 2x2x2 are difficult solving. Another mod maybe easier solving.

Finally.

My hexahedral full axis non-shape-changing tetrahedron has come to life.
I love the black body and its size. What is its weight?

This comes with perfect timing. Two days ago I have added the last of your creations to the database and now this.
BTW: Sorry for not posting earlier. Yesterday I was occupied by a very weird and long bicycle trip.

Andreas

65g. Though it could well have been 50, if I hadn't ran out of short screws.
I think the only one who should be making excuses for delayed posting is me. Also, thank you very much - I am very happy that everything I made is now in the database!

I discovered a weird error in the design - which I had been suspecting ever since I got the prototype. The larger corners act like centres for the offset skewb, so by means of a screw they're attached to the inner bandaged half-turn-only spherical 3x3x3. However, I forgot to add tolerances to the corners of that 3x3x3, so the large corners are pushed out by them. This causes the skewb turns to be quite loose. Once I fix this and another issue, it can go up for sale.

The half-truncated cube shapemod is the most logical shape for this puzzle - it explains the symmetries very well. But as Chilen noted, that shapemod would probably be easier to solve; the corner orientation is hidden and the half-edges now occur in pairs of 3 instead of being unique.