RELEASED:11.3.2015PRODUCED:41 CopiesDESIGNER:Christoph LoheCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Cherry, PurpleheartCOMMENTS:This puzzle is more than just a pretty shape...it's also got a very interesting feature. Included with the six burr pieces is a small rectangular piece which can be added to the inside of the puzzle. Solved without the internal piece, Tulip has a level 16 solution. When the internal piece is added, the solution changes to a level 9.14...double the trouble for your money!The constr...

RELEASED:11.3.2015PRODUCED:40 CopiesDESIGNER:Tamas VanyoCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Wenge and BubingaCOMMENTS:This is a very unique and fun puzzle, and probably my favorite design of the update. The box captures six sliders which move around to form an evolving maze for the four identical pieces to maneuver. Moderate in difficulty but over the top in enjoyment! If you haven't noticed I really liked this one, assembling them all was actually a pleasure.The construction of this puzzle is excelle...

RELEASED:6.8.2015PRODUCED:40 CopiesDESIGNER:Yavuz DemirhanCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Maple, WalnutCOMMENTS:This little gem was a last minute addition to the update. A fairly low level 7.2, it's nonetheless fairly tricky. I ended up solving it outside the box because things got tricky quickly once they were inserted. The 2:1 ratio of endgrain dispite having 2x2 sticks, and having a final 5x5 solved volume is fairly unique, and I found this design to be very well executed.The construction of th...

RELEASED:6.18.2015PRODUCED:41 CopiesDESIGNER:Tom JollyCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Bird's Eye Maple / Lacewood or WengeCOMMENTS:Tom always comes up with intweresting cubes, and this is no exception. Dispite being fairly simple with a level 4.3 solution, it's a lot of fun to solve. The bird's eye maple is absilutely beautiful and makes the puzzle really pop on the shelf.The construction of this puzzle is very precise, with nice solid clicks every time you move a piece. Each joint was clamped dur...

RELEASED:8.14.2014PRODUCED:52 CopiesDESIGNER:Alfons EyckmansCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Walnut / MapleCOMMENTS:The interesting shape of this burr is what attracted me to it initially. The unique level 12 solution was also a contributing factor. Once I figured out the color scheme and put it in production I was very pleased with the result. A definite departure from your normal six piece burr, the construction sequence is tricky and non-intuitive. The finished shape is pleasingly symmetrical an...

RELEASED:11.21.2014PRODUCED:40 CopiesDESIGNER:Tamás VanyóCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Maple, Bubinga, AcrylicCOMMENTS:I very much enjoyed making William Hu's "Simultaneous Maze" puzzle for the last update, so when I saw that Tamás had made a sequel using two mazes and one pin, I knew I had to make it. Vanyó's design uses an identical top and bottom plate to confuse and trick the solver. I won't say much about the solution but it's a lot of fun and not what you would expect. An excellent add...

RELEASED:6.18.2015PRODUCED:46 CopiesDESIGNER:Terry SmartCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Walnut, Bird's Eye Maple, AcrylicCOMMENTS:I'm trying to include at least one interesting packing puzzle in each update, and the A-Pack absolutely overdelivers in that regard. The concept is unique and brilliant, and I'm very glad I made it. There are two sliding shuttles which are captured in the acrylic frame. The goal is to pack the pieces completely in, and it's very very difficult. Right off the bat you're ...

RELEASED:4.15.2015PRODUCED:39 CopiesDESIGNER:Jerry LooCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Maple, Acrylic, Various Exotic HardwoodsCOMMENTS:I like *some* packing puzzles, and this one made the cut. It's a set of pentominos and a simple box, yet there is only ONE solution to packing them all in. A truly extraordinary achievement! I interpreted this one with a lot of panache, using 12 different woods for the pieces (Canary, Bubinga, Yellowheart, Peruvian Walnut, Paduak, Wenge, Shedue, Mahogany, Ipe, Boco...

RELEASED:5.14.2014PRODUCED:38 CopiesDESIGNER:Dan FastCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Walnut Box, Yellowheart and Chakte Viga PiecesCOMMENTS:Dan is a new designer and brought a fresh idea to the table with Shake Something. This level 14 packing puzzle uses four burr pieces in a box and is anything but simple. The name comes from the fact that you have to turn the box various directions and shake it to accomplish some of the moves. While all the pieces are visible, many of the underlaying interactio...

RELEASED:2.28.2014PRODUCED:40 CopiesDESIGNER:Donald OsselaerCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Maple, Bubinga, AcrylicCOMMENTS:The Carbo Cube is a very interesting miniature...four stick and two board pieces form a cube with a translucent center. Moderate in difficulty, this puzzle has a unique level 6.2 solution. The checkerboard pattern shows well and begs to be played with.The fit is very nice on this puzzle, and it's small enough that it should not be affected by humidity very much at all. Each w...

RELEASED:2.28.2014PRODUCED:44 CopiesDESIGNER:Chi-Ren ChenCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Maple, Bubinga, AcrylicCOMMENTS:Vortex is a unique construction with a tricky and unique solution. With two pairs of pieces and color symmetry, you'd think this one would be trivial. Trust me, it's not. MANY rotations and a level 21 solution make this a challenge.Fit is precise and wood pieces are milled from solid wood...which was tricky.44 copies made for sale.SIZE:1.375" x .75"

RELEASED:5.14.2014PRODUCED:42 CopiesDESIGNER:William HuCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:AformosaCOMMENTS:This deceptive puzzle looks like a standard six piece burr, but is in fact a three piece burr with tricks up it's sleeve. Each piece is made up of two standard burr pieces "welded" together. Modest in difficulty this is nonetheless an interesting idea and a worthwhile addition to any collectors shelves. The level 4.2 solution makes it appropriate for newer puzzlers.Fit is precise; may be tight i...

RELEASED:11.21.2014PRODUCED:43 CopiesDESIGNER:Stephan BaumeggerCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Ash / PaduakCOMMENTS:Crystalburr by Stephen combines the appearance of a classic chuck style puzzle with the difficulty and complexity of a traditional six piece burr. The pieces are burr style and capped with not only an end piece, but also two side pieces on each end. This restricts motion while at the same time adding for the possibility of some very interesting movements that are otherwise unobtainab...

RELEASED:11.29.2012PRODUCED:41 CopiesDESIGNER:Stephane ChomineCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Rosewood / Sycamore / Holly / SapeleCOMMENTS:This attractive piece of art is also a dang tricky puzzle. Four sticks interact with a straightforward cage in vary non-straightforward ways. The unique level 24.6.3 solution means what it says - this puzzle's not joking around.Figuring out which piece goes where is only the beginning, since some of them switch around during assembly. Order at your own peril - ...

RELEASED:1.31.2015PRODUCED:43 CopiesDESIGNER:William HuCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Peruvian Walnut / MapleCOMMENTS:William continually comes up with new and innovative designs. His Mini Chessboard is no exception. An interlocking puzzle with a level 1.2.9.2 solution, it's not impossibly diffciult. It IS a lot of fun to solve though, with lots of fun sliding and figuring out which piece fits where within the constraints of the fixed portions of the frame.Construction is robust, with a shouldere...

RELEASED:11.29.2012PRODUCED:37 CopiesDESIGNER:Junichi YananoseCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:CanarywoodCOMMENTS:It had been a while since I made a simple six piece burr, and I really like them. They were the first puzzles I made when I was hacking away on my kitchen table nearly ten years ago trying to get a feel for this woodworking thing. So I felt like making another one...problem is, there are so many to choose from. I looked around a bit then remembered the small run of puzzles I had done in...

RELEASED:11.21.2014PRODUCED:35 CopiesDESIGNER:Kouki Kusumi, Mineyuki UyematsuCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Mahogany, AshCOMMENTS:The unique shape of the Rough Night Burr is what initially caught my eye. Combine that with a very elegant set of pieces (two sets of three identical), a unique level 4.5.2.3.3 solution, and some very very tricky moves and you come up with a winner. While this design isn't as new as many from this update, it was beggning to be made and I'm glad I did. The assembly has ...

RELEASED:2.13.2013PRODUCED:40 CopiesDESIGNER:Stephane ChomineCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Quilted Maple / BloodwoodCOMMENTS:Stephane has been coming out with a lot of new designs lately, and it was tough to pick which I liked the best. I found the geometry of the cage and internal pieces very pleasing, and the fact that Triaxe is a difficult level 24 solution didn't hurt. With only three pieces it's not impossible, but this is definitely an advanced puzzle. Lots of movement and lots of dead end...

RELEASED:8.14.2014PRODUCED:47 CopiesDESIGNER:Ray StantonCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Walnut, Maple, SapeleCOMMENTS:Ray took the Slideways design and went a lot further down the road with his Double Slideways design! With two sets of three identical notchable pieces, it's very tricky and confusing to solve. This was Rays exchange puzzle for IPP this year and from what I hear it was very well received. A limited number have been finished and prepared for sale here; when they're gone they're gone!...

RELEASED:3.27.2013PRODUCED:34 CopiesDESIGNER:Guy BretteCRAFTSMAN:Eric FullerMATERIAL:Maple and PurpleheartCOMMENTS:Another of Guy Brette's devious designs, this twelve piece burr has two different stick lengths and an interesting "cross" finished shape. It's also quite difficult with a whopping level 9.9.9 solution. I'd call it the crown jewel of this update in terms of difficulty and appearance. The maple on the short axis contrasts nicely with the purpleheart long axis, and once assembled it d...