Reference this post: Puzzle Design: Nightmare Cube: Free STL Files!

I received my Nightmare Cube parts from the print shop and I have it assembled. The Harry Potter stickers from Cubesmith fit very well.

I lightly sanded the exterior surfaces with a very fine grit but I did not touch the mechanical surfaces. My reasoning is, the less contact surface area, i.e. RP ridges, the lower the friction. I used some CRC lubricant as well.

The cube turns smoothly and feels stable.


During Assembly


Assembled


Size Comparison

I have two suggestions:
1. Use 1/2" #4-40's. The 3/4" screws do not allow for adjustment.
2. Use an injection molded core. The printed core, even a solid print, is too fragile.

I would like to thank Noah and Puzzlemaster42 for the idea and the STL files, respectively.

Did you miss the Nightmare Cube thread Taylor? It's one of Adam's new puzzles. It's a bandaged 3x3 built into a 2x2. So you can't see the blocked moves when solving it. Sorry if you already knew this.

That thing is a beauty. Based on my understanding, certain moves will become blocked during solving to prevent turns? Am I right? In that case I can see how it'd add some difficulty to solving it.

Yes. Even though it looks like a 2x2, it is an internally bandaged 3x3. The internal bandaging is where the extra challenge lies over the externally bandaged 3x3.

I have not developed an exact way to achieve Phase I (Jaap's Puzzle Page- Bandaged Cube Solution); this is where you solve the axis bandaged pieces. But, I have through trial and error. After Phase I is achieved, you solve Phase II as normal.

This is an excellent mod. If you don't get one printed, build one up from a 3x3. This was my build up approach: Nightmare Cube Mock Up.

you should build a 3x3 nightmare cube now, a 3x3 nightmare cube would make me happy!
Is this nightmare cube way harder than a 2x2 or only slightly harder?

edit: how about a keychain nightmare cube? it would make it much smaller and easier to handle, but it may be quite a bit harder to make, but on the upside, lower printing costs!

Sublime already made one a few days ago.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11585


And I forgot to say, it looks excellent! It looks like you got the whole puzzle printed instead of just one of each piece?

All of the pieces are printed with a solid print type in ABS.

After working with the puzzle for a while, I did notice some high points on the internals.


The high points are marked in black.


Sanded vs. Original

Very nice! Can we please see a video?

Oh, that's what that was? I thought that was just a non-3D printed nightmare cube, well good job sublime! Sublime are you a new member or have I just not seen you on the forums before?

Yes, a video would be appreciated.

It is. But he made it with a keychain cube.

Wow, that looks so nice , gratz.

Video please?

I discovered more high points. But, I now have it in a state where I am satisfied.

I have softened almost every external bevel on the internal pieces. I sanded down the nub on the edge-side internals to be flush when assembled to the core. I've also rounded, more like made spherical, the nub on the seven external pieces. If you want more information on this let me know and I will take some pictures to help show where I sanded.

I am a former member. I have been with this forum in some capacity, member/lurker, since 2000, well TwistyMegasite before this one.

The only video devices I have are my cell phone and a cheap webcam. The quality is not very great. I'll see what I can do.

Alright. Thanks for the response. I look forward to more contributions from you.

Regards,
Noah

Here are two cell phone videos:
Nightmare Cube Video 1
Nightmare Cube Video 2

Thanks!

It turns beautifully... sometimes.

I can't wait to get one of my own printed.

If you are thinking of getting one printed you may want to modify the STL files first. I can show pictures of the trouble areas. The sanding I did was pretty major in some spots and would expose a sparse print. The files printed as is will be a functioning cube but it won't be as smooth as the video shows.

I am thinking of printing it myself. Why don't you shoot a message to Adam to discuss these shortcomings? He is the man to update the CAD model and give us new STL files.

Adam PM'ed about updating the STL files. Thank you Adam.

I did one more round of sanding before I sent Adam the comments.


Here is a collage of the sanded internals.