Big 3D Tetris Magnets!

by erik.teichmann

6.3K2212

Intro: Big 3D Tetris Magnets!

When I saw the Fridge Magnet Contest, I thought to myself, "There's something I can do!" Sweet and simple. I immediately thought of Tetranitrate's awesome Tetris Ice Cubes. Tetris would make some great fridge magnets!

STEP 1: Find Some Stuff!

So you are probably thinking to yourself about now, "Hey, didn't distortedlabs just do this???"
That is absolutely right. I had a hard time finding magnets, so give me a break. For the record, I found them in Ace Hardware, near the hammers (???).

Here's what you'll need:
Some posterboard (or some other kind of stiff backing)
A roll of gasket cork (or something similar)
Hot glue gun
Scissors
A ruler
Some markers or paint
Magnets!

As you may have noticed, I'm pretty ambiguous here in the materials. This stuff works, but you might find something better. As for the magnets, I found a roll of adhesive magnet, which works nicely.

STEP 2: Make an Action Sequence Schematic (A.S.S.)

You'll want to do a little planning to see how things will come together. I only had a strip of posterboard, so I wouldn't be using the super fancy maximum efficiency design to lay the squares out. I decided to go with two inch squares to blow the competition out of the water.

STEP 3: Measure, Mark, and Cut

Now that you know what you're doing, go ahead and measure out your squares. I decided to use 2" squares because my cork was 12" wide. Mark out your grid, and then cut out the squares. Once all the squares are cut out, you'll want to cut off the corners. I made a little template so they would all be uniform, but it's probably just as well to eyeball it.

STEP 4: Gluuuuuuuuuue!

Now that you have all your squares cut out, they may need a little flattening. Get a Lego guy to help you, or lay a big heavy book like the Bible or the Koran or The Stand on there. Once the pieces are flat enough for you, you'll want to arrange them on your posterboard and see how they will fit. I only had a strip of board, so I didn't do all the shapes. with a full sheet of posterboard, you could have a whole fridge of tetris!
Once you're satisfied with the layout, heat up your gluegun and get cracking!

STEP 5: Make It Purdy!

Well, if you wanted to paint, I guess you should have done that back before you glued.
I used markers to color the cork once it was glued into place. I like the kind of "Stain" effect that the markers have on the cork. Some markers may work better than others. I used hiliters. Your mileage may vary.

STEP 6: Cutcutcutcutcutcutcut

Bust out your trusty scissors again and cut them out!
I left a little posterboard around each piece for a big of a matte effect. You can choose to cut out the corner nibs or leave them -- I cut mine out.
Almost done!

STEP 7: Clean Up!

Quick, before the wife gets home!

STEP 8: Attach Magnets and Enjoy!

Unroll some magnet, cut it off, and slap it on the back there.
Now you can tetris!
Go get yourself some tetris music and build this thing for the full experience.

Thanks for reading my first Instructable! Please click the plus button up there on the right if you liked it!

12 Comments

J_SCAP 16 years ago

or make them one block and play a game of fridge tetris with your friends and every line cleared you just take them off :) im a geunus

panoz 16 years ago

WOW, ok, Please, give me an idea where I can find the magnets! are stickers? stripes? Thank you erik

erik.teichmann 16 years ago

I got all the materials at the hardware store. You might want to ask an employee, as most of this stuff is kind of obscure in a hardware store. The magnet comes in a roll, one side is sticky. My other option, which I didn't wind up using as I found the magnet tape was to go to the dollar store, buy a bunch of crappy magnets, and rip the fronts off of them to get at the plain magnet.

drummer ian 16 years ago

lmao if tetris becomes the ew k'nex of instructables!

erik.teichmann 16 years ago

Next up -- my totally rad tetris gun! you'll need two L shapes, a Z shape, and it fires rectangles heh

Tetranitrate 16 years ago

Glad to be help out with the inspiration.

NHquilter 16 years ago

I'm expecting some of these for Christmas -- but I want the right colors and shapes - don't skimp on the posterboard!

trebuchet03 16 years ago

Wow, people are totally taking off on the Tetris Theme :) I'm not complaining -- I think it's cool )

distortedlabs 16 years ago

Great idea with the cork board on top of the magnets. I guess if they were thick enough you could use a couple push pins and double up on the holding factor of the magnet.

erik.teichmann 16 years ago

Oooo, I like that. I was thinking about doing multiple layers, but I was concerned it wouldn't come out looking as nice. Really ideally it would be done with wood blocks like Tetranitrate's mold positive.