Bouncy Rubik's Cube

In this tutorial I'm going to show you two different ways, to make a bouncy Rubik's Cube. I love to modify Rubik Cubes, but was lacking the time lately, that's why I wanted to make something special as soon, as I had a bit of spare time.

Do you know somebody, who gets frustrated easily? Who has maybe already broken a Rubik Cube? Or do you just enjoy the thought, of throwing it against a wall, without doing any harm? Then this is the perfect Rubik's "cube" for you.

If you haven't heard of Oogoo yet, check out this instructable. To find out more about sugru go to this site.

Step 1: What you need

Material:

• Rubik‘s Cube (I used a Diansheng mini cube, so that I would need less sugru)
• 50 or 60mm clear plastic Acrylic Fillable Ball Ornament (when you are using a Diansheng)
• Thick plastic sheet (I recycled an old shampoo bottle)
• Apoxie sculpt, or any other type of modeling clay

• Method one:
  • Sugru (I used: 3 backs of black, 2 backs of white and one each of orange, blue and green)
  • Oil paint

• Method two
  • Corn starch
  • Silicone caulk (acetic acid curing)
  • Oil paint
  • superglue
  • plastic bowl, something to stir with

Tools:

• Dremel (a belt sander will work as well)
• Box cutter

Sugru vs. Oogoo

Oogoo

+ cheap
+ softer (better bounce)
- sticks like hell/ is harder to work with
- smells pretty bad
- it's hard to mix the same colour twice

So if you want a ball, that bounces extremely well, can't afford the sugru and have the patience, to make it look right, go with Oogoo

Sugru

+ easier to work with
+ comes in different already mixed colours
- expensive
- bounces less

So, if you are a perfectionist, don't mind to spend more money and would like an easier to work with material, go with sugru.

Both balls turn surprisingly well.

Comments

[edo4]

Though I have never played Portal (yes, i live under a rock, but i have a wifi signal so it's all good), I can totally see people making Rubik's Companion Cubes with this.... If no one has done it yet, go to it, my crafty minions!!!! And if anyone has, pics or it didn't happen :D

[BrittLiv]

Hi, I've made one: http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-modified-Rubiks-Cube/ check out step 6.

[edo4]

I could never solve one of these. Can't peel off Sugru or oogoo like you could do with the stickers on the original cube....

[mrmerino]

The orange line is a chord! It has no diameter!

[caarntedd]

This is great. Your own personalised cube (Rubik's Sphere?).

[abbyr]

can you use different kinds of rubiks cubes?

[BrittLiv]

Yes you can, but Diansheng mini cubes are definitely the best, you can get them very cheap on ebay, they are small and turn really smoothly. I got mine for $4 including shipment, they seem to be at $4.44 now (e.g. here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-5cm-DIANSHENG-Rubik-Cube-SPEEDCUBE-3x3-Puzzle-Toy-IQ-/320580193775?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa4118def). The only disadvantage is, that they are being shipped from China (it will take a while for the to arrive...)

[projectsugru]

WOW !!!! totally incredible !!!!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

Awesome!

[mikeasaurus]

neat idea!