Hi Twisty Puzzles fans,

Here is a new spherical core for Mefferts' Mosaic Cube, designed by me. Several people have noticed that the mechanism is a bit "spongy". The issues are illustrated by Roxanne Wong in this YouTube video.

The cause of this spongyness, and the resulting less-than-optimal turning, is the large cavity inside the puzzle into which the pieces are pushed. Twisty Puzzle Forum contributor Burgo suggested to fill the cavity with a spherical core. This new spherical core fills the cavity completely, making the puzzle more stable.

The result is very effective. Here is a quote from Tony Fisher by email. Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the core at my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Shapeways Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

This is a good design!

I've ordered the rerelease of the puzzle, so we shall see the quality of the newer version. If there are problems, I will buy this new core for certain.

when mosaic cube with this core will be available on mefferts?

Was the new core printed in WSF (nylon) material? Would Shapeways Grey Robust (ABS) be better for this application?

Yes, it looks like it was made in WSF. Why do you think Grey Robust would be better?

It's just that I think that grey robust (ABS) is a more durable material to use as a core. After all, we are not interested in intricate curves or small details.

Isn't the White Detail material ABS as well? Plus, it is more "detailed" than Black Strong and Flexible anyway.

A Grey Robust core would have many ridges on which the parts could catch, not a good idea I think. And durability is not really an issue, WSF itself is actually really tough and durable.
White Detail is not anything like ABS. It's far weaker and softer.

Agreed. But nothing that a little sanding wouldn't solve.
I was just thinking about the existing ABS parts rubbing against the nylon WSF, and wondered if the grey robust ABS would be better in the long term.

Great to see that it worked! Too bad Mefferts didn't pick this up.

However, I don't think the price is really justified. I pay $42 for a puzzle that almost doesn't turn, I shouldn't have to pay half of that price just to make it better.
I don't mean to undermine your work, but I think that at least this model should be sold without markup, as it's really kind of a 'damage control' for a defective puzzle...

again, no offense meant. Just feel that the price is a bit stiff...

I would bet that he doesn't even have any markup on it. If he does I doubt it is much. Cores cost more than you'd think. It is spherical without holes so it is smooth, it also has to be thick enough to be sturdy, as well as have enough material for the screws to hold on to. Some of the cores I have had to design cost even $40 without and mark up at all.

Are you sure? Before it was a mere $11. Even if it's been redesigned, will the price nearly double because of it?

It is possible, I think what was said that it was too small before? so increase in size, increase thickness, the more surface area the more it costs. I won't say he doesn't have mark up, he might. Even though the puzzle has problems it isn't Oskar's fault, and he did design a replacement core.

And, it's a product he's selling, much the same way that Uwe probably won't give out replacement Mosaic cubes to the people that bought version 1

(I don't mean to start anything by saying version 1, but I read somewhere he was going to MP a v2. I could be wrong; don't take my word for it)

I ordered the core in BSF to match my black puzzle. If it prevents my puzzle exploding and maked it turn nicely, then that would be nice! The dying also raises the cost to $25.66, but except for 66 cents of that total, I'd of had to pay anyhow to meet the minimum order amount of $25.

*****UPDATE:

I should also mention that I recieved my ball core from Oskar's Shapeways shop,
http://www.shapeways.com/model/215635/m ... _core.html?
and I must say it does offer somewhat a considerable improvement. Obviously it's still no Guhong in terms of movement, but it does rotate much smoother that before, and more importantly, drastically cuts down the number of piece pops and puzzle explodes. I literally soaked the BSF core with silicone spray prior to reassembly, and that thing can soak up huge amounts of lube!!!

So is it worth the USD $25 investment? I can't answer that question for you, but it definitely helps. If you're happy with it as is, or you want to try an alternative remedy mentioned in the other thread, that is fine too.

I purchased the new core from oskars shapeways shop. and i have to say ... it is a HUGE improvement ..

not only does the puzzle feel more stable, it turns alot better and it acctually keeps its cubic form better as well.

to be honest it gave me a reason to play with the puzzle again. ( i really hated the old core at first).

and its acctually quite easy to assemble. (apart from trying to remove the pieces from the old core .. which seem to be superglued .. i had to break 2 of them off and re glue them ).


i highly recommend this core for any mosaic cube fans out there. it really makes a difference.

You may have a look at other posts about the ball core here. I have not seen any contradicting opinions

My Mosaic Cube with its original core works well enough.... That said I would be willing to give the Sphere Core a try if I didn't have to risk breaking something to get the caps off my corners.

Any chance Mefferts would consider selling a Mosaic Cube as a kit, nothing glued or stickered yet? If he did I'd buy one and give the Sphere Core a try.

Carl