Shortly after finishing my Magnetic Rubik's Dice Cube, I began to think about the prospect of creating a 2x2 version of the dice cube.
First of all, some terminology of the cube that you need to know. A "cubie" refers to any one of the small sub-cubes that makes up the entire cube. A center is a cubie that has only one visible face. it's color or number determines what that side will be, because a center cannot be moved to another side. Edges have 2 visible faces, and are positioned betwixt the centers. Corners have 3 visible faces, and each touches 3 of the edges.
A standard 2x2(x2) Rubik's Cube is essentially a 3x3(x3) cube, but lacking the centers and edge pieces. This presents a problem for creating a magnetic 2x2 cube in the same manner as in my dice cube and gfixler's magnetic cube. In a 3x3 cube, the corners always touch edges. Therefore it was possible to use identical polarities for all internal sides of the corners, as long as all the edges had opposite polarities. In the 2x2 cube, corners touch directly to other corners. No matter what system of polarities you used, there would be some situations that would make the cube unstable or explode.
So I scrapped the idea, until I realized that I could embed a steel ball inside the cube, to which each cubie would attach via a single magnet. The ball would not be a magnet, but rather just a steel ball or ball bearing. Half of the cubies' magnets have one polarity, and the other half the opposite, so that no matter how the magnets are arranged, they will always be relatively stable.
This cube feels very similar to a real cube, albeit quite a bit heavier. The cubies do not snap into position after being turned, as in the 3x3 magnetic cube, since their attraction is mostly to the core rather than each other. Therefore, it's remarkably like a standard 2x2 cube, but that it's translucent and will fall apart more easily (more easily than a 3x3 dicecube too--because it has less than 1/10th as many magnets).
I consider the dicecube (both 3v3 and 2x2) as more of a novelty item than something you would want to use every day, so I don't mind that it's not particularly stable.
First of all, some terminology of the cube that you need to know. A "cubie" refers to any one of the small sub-cubes that makes up the entire cube. A center is a cubie that has only one visible face. it's color or number determines what that side will be, because a center cannot be moved to another side. Edges have 2 visible faces, and are positioned betwixt the centers. Corners have 3 visible faces, and each touches 3 of the edges.
A standard 2x2(x2) Rubik's Cube is essentially a 3x3(x3) cube, but lacking the centers and edge pieces. This presents a problem for creating a magnetic 2x2 cube in the same manner as in my dice cube and gfixler's magnetic cube. In a 3x3 cube, the corners always touch edges. Therefore it was possible to use identical polarities for all internal sides of the corners, as long as all the edges had opposite polarities. In the 2x2 cube, corners touch directly to other corners. No matter what system of polarities you used, there would be some situations that would make the cube unstable or explode.
So I scrapped the idea, until I realized that I could embed a steel ball inside the cube, to which each cubie would attach via a single magnet. The ball would not be a magnet, but rather just a steel ball or ball bearing. Half of the cubies' magnets have one polarity, and the other half the opposite, so that no matter how the magnets are arranged, they will always be relatively stable.
This cube feels very similar to a real cube, albeit quite a bit heavier. The cubies do not snap into position after being turned, as in the 3x3 magnetic cube, since their attraction is mostly to the core rather than each other. Therefore, it's remarkably like a standard 2x2 cube, but that it's translucent and will fall apart more easily (more easily than a 3x3 dicecube too--because it has less than 1/10th as many magnets).
I consider the dicecube (both 3v3 and 2x2) as more of a novelty item than something you would want to use every day, so I don't mind that it's not particularly stable.
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I decided to use blue dice this time around. If you can find dice at a local hobby or crafts store it will probably be cheaper than buying off the internet like I did, as shipping and handling charges can be a pain. I bought some playing cards at the same time, which offset the shock of spending $5 shipping on $6 dice. The magnets and core I purchased from KJ Magnetics. The rest of the materials and tools I already had, including the leftover LocTite epoxy from the 3x3 cube.
Materials
- 8 3/4 inch or 19mm Dice (10 recommended)
- 8 R424 ring magnets (I bought a pack of 25, again because of shipping)
- 1 NSBA 5/8" diameter steel ball (Since they are only $.60, get a few in case one is lost)
- High Strength Glue or Epoxy (transparent or translucent)
- Scrap wood (oak or some other hard wood)
- Wood glue
- Optional: Wood screws
- Optional: Silicone Spray Lubricant
Tools
- Drill Press
- Dremel or other rotary tool
- 3/4" sanding drum for rotary tool
- 17/64" split point drill bit
- Belt or disk sander (or sandpaper & elbow grease)
- Utility knife
- Shop-vac
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WoodlandGhillie (Everyone calls me "Blanc", NOT Blank.). im trying to change my APK user to it.)
Traceurs FTW!!! I always like meeting another one.
Nicest guy you will EVER meet. His precision is 11+ft!!! he also showed me a dive roll UP 5 stairs, into a roll.
My username on APK is WoodlandGhillie , PM me!
*Parkour, mind you.
Parkour is an art of movement designed to get you through an environment as quickly and safely as possible. Its common to also have "efficieny" included in the definition.
americanparkour.com for more info.
That WAS a very funny skit though! :D