From cube-lovers-errors@mc.lcs.mit.edu Tue Mar 16 16:52:10 1999 Return-Path: Received: from sun28.aic.nrl.navy.mil (sun28.aic.nrl.navy.mil [132.250.84.38]) by mc.lcs.mit.edu (8.9.1a/8.9.1-mod) with SMTP id QAA02705 for ; Tue, 16 Mar 1999 16:52:10 -0500 (EST) Precedence: bulk Errors-To: cube-lovers-errors@mc.lcs.mit.edu Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 13:27:05 -0700 (MST) From: Paul Hart To: Noel Dillabough Cc: cube-lovers@ai.mit.edu Subject: RE: Stickers Re: Oddzon version of the cube In-Reply-To: <000801be6c2a$49a18160$030a0a0a@noel> Message-Id: On Thu, 11 Mar 1999, Noel Dillabough wrote: > On a similar note, old versions of the Rubik's Revenge puzzle are > fetching prices over $75 USD. The puzzles are basically unusable, as > they are so stiff and brittle from age that they fall apart. Really? I haven't noticed this in my own collection as far as I can see. > Anyway back to my point, I was wondering how many people on this list would > be interested in getting a manufacturer to do a good quality run of 4x4x4 > cubes? I think this would be an excellent idea. > A place in the U.S. called "Puzzlets" was supposed to have a sign up > list to create a production run of these cubes, but I have heard that > they are no longer in business. Is Puzzletts out of business? Their web site is still up at least. Check it out at: http://www.puzzletts.com/ [Moderator's note: If you get a response from puzzletts, please contact cube-lovers-request@ai.mit.edu. I've had several people say they don't answer.] > Has anyone else found aged, unused 4^3s more brittle than the originals? > Even the early ones were usually stiff; I needed to take them apart and > apply wax or other lubricant. And still they broke much too easily, due > to the tiny necks on the face centers. A year or two ago I had the very good fortune of stumbling across a number of 4x4x4 cubes that were brand new in their unopened original boxes from 1982. Of the two cubes that I personally opened and used extensively, I did not notice any unusual stiffness. The 4x4x4 does suffer from the known weak neck in the center pieces that is prone to snapping, but aside from that the cubes were in excellent condition and have held up very well. I'm not sure if lubricating the cube will remedy the tendency for the neck to break, but perhaps it would since it seems to happen when the cube jams slightly. The first of the two cubes to suffer a broken center piece became my spare parts cube that I use to keep the other in good running condition. Paul Hart -- Paul Robert Hart ><8> ><8> ><8> Verio Web Hosting, Inc. hart@iserver.com ><8> ><8> ><8> http://www.iserver.com/