January 2021 Update Preview

In Brackets is an interlocking cube with a twist! While moderate in difficulty, the solution is so much fun you'll find yourself solving it over and over.

Last released in 2009, this was Sam's IPP Design Competition Entry that same year. This unique puzzle combines a standard 3x3 cube with three surrounding brackets. Deciphering order and orientation of assembly are non-trivial. The solved puzzle has a unique appearance and displays beautifully.

We constructed In Brackets with solid Black Walnut pieces, individually beveled and very accurately glued. The Brackets are Yellowheart and feature reinforcing finger joinery on the corners. This puzzle has an excellent fit and finish, and I'm well pleased with how it turned out.

80 copies are available. Each puzzle is signed and dated. In Brackets ships assembled in an unsolved configuration.

MagneTeam packing puzzle incorporates multiple challenges to keep you busy for some time! The first task is packing the three Grandillo pieces into the box so that all openings are filled, giving the illusion of a solid inner cube. The highest level assembly conforms to this requirement, with the other four falling short. The second task shares the same goal with the fourth piece's addition (made from Morado). This arrangement has three possible assemblies, and again the solution is the most challenging assembly.

We took great care with the fit and finish of MagneTeam, and the result is a tactile delight. The box is solid Ash reinforced with shoulder joinery. The Grandillo and Morado pieces are individually beveled and dimensionally accurate to 0.002 inches.

80 copies are available. Each puzzle is signed and dated. MagneTeam ships assembled in an unsolved configuration.

This is the second and final release of this batch of Topless Box. I have many other designs on the drawing board, so this will be the last batch for a while.

Topless Box was my contribution to the legendary Apothecary Puzzle Chest. Topless is an unusual challenge; with two lids and no top, how can it be opened? The solution is tricky and will surprise you. Initially released in 2012, we found strong demand with our re-release last year and decided to make one more batch for newer collectors who have been unable to find a copy.

This batch was constructed from a nice striped Sapele plank, which shows a lot of shimmer via chatoyance in the grain structure. A slight modification to this release should result in more dimensional stability by using the same Birdseye Maple on the inside and outside of the lid panels.

Reviews: Neil's Blog and Video, Puzzle Pusher, Puzzle Paradox, Jerry's Collection.

Tenchi is a brilliant anti-gravity packing puzzle named after a Japanese word that translates to both "Sky" and "Land," the goal is to pack the pieces into the frame so that the puzzle can be lifted and rotated without any part falling out.

There are over four thousand possible assemblies, but only one unique assembly locks the pieces. While challenging, Tenchi is not impossible; analysis and experimentation provide enough insight that you may find the solution using critical thought.

We used nine different exotic woods for the individually beveled pieces (Ash, Wenge, Canary, Rosewood, Birdseye Maple, Purpleheart, Paduak, Goncalo Alves and Marblewood). The frame is solid Cherry reinforced by half-lap joints concealed by the angled corners. Fit is precise, with just a bit of room to account for dry shop conditions.

80 copies are available. Each puzzle is signed and dated. Tenchi ships assembled in an unsolved configuration.