Introduction: Make a Wooden Soma Cube
Make this 3D puzzle out of wood.
The Soma Cube wasinvented by Piet Hein in 1936 during a lecture on quantum mechanics conducted by Werner Heisenberg.
(taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soma_cube )
The cube is made from 27 cubelets formed into 7 pieces. I've used the naming convention used on wikipedia to make things easier to understand.
Step 1: Tools and Methods
- hand saw.
- mitre box to keep all the cuts square.
- some sort of clamp.
- A wood workers try-square to check all cuts.
Select a length of wood batten, oak for example, and make sure its square. My wood was 29mm square and 1 meter long, even though I only used about 820mm.
Instead of cutting 27 accurate 29mm sq cubelets, I cheated and used only 15 cuts to create 2 X 3 segment pieces, 8 X 2 segment pieces and 5 individual pieces.
Ideally all the wood grain should be jumbled up to make it harder to analyze the complete cube, but using my shortcut method this wouldn't have been possible so I'Il make fake saw cuts to simulate individual pieces.
Step 2: The L Tetracube and Tricube
The L tetracube was made from a single piece glued to a 3 segment piece as can be seen from the grain in the pic below.
The L tricube was made from a single piece glued to a 2 segment piece.
Step 3: The Left Screw and Right Screw Tetracubes
These two should mirror each other, otherwise its wrong. I used 2 x 2segments to create these ones, make them at the same time to get it right.
Step 4: The T Tetracube
A single piece joined to a 3 segment piece, again with fake saw cuts about 5mm in depth to simulate individual pieces.
Step 5: The S Tetracube
This is a simple one, two 2 segment pieces joined and fake saw cuts.
Step 6: The Branch Tetracube
This one is the trickiest to get lined up and square, start with the L tricube shape and when dry glue on the final single piece.
Step 7: Some Thoughts and Somazims
There are plenty of Soma cube web sites on the internet, my first stop was Thorleif's SOMA page here. http://www.fam-bundgaard.dk/SOMA/SOMA.HTM
I find the easiest way to solve a somazims is to unhinge the everyday mind and let your hands run free, trying various things till eventually you reach the epiphany moment.
Taken from Wikipedia
An epiphanyis the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. The term is used in either a philosophical or literal sense to signify that the claimant has found the last piece of the puzzle and now sees the whole picture."
Some somazims presented for starters.
Finalist in the
Woodworking Contest
25 Comments
2 years ago
I was into making these decades ago. There are a few original sets of mine floating around. These are the oddball creations along with some basic Soma shapes. Some unique, some repeats. Thanks for reminding me of these! Great instructions and I do like the tiny saw groove to break up the grain patterns. Nice work!
7 years ago
The Soma Cube is one of the best puzzles of the
20th century. There are 240 distinct ways to assemble it, and in each of the
solutions there is only one place that the "T" piece can be placed. SOMA-puzzles are incorporated
in official tests that psychologist use in evaluating cognitive features of a
person. Read more: http://www.glennwestmore.com.au/the-soma-cube/
8 years ago on Introduction
When I was a kid I had two of the originals. There are many many ways of forming a cube with the 7 pieces alone. I had memorized 27 different ways. And that was not counting the rotations and mirrors. Great Ible.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks.
I was asked to make one by my mom and I mentioned that there was more than one way to do the square.
When next I visited I saw she had stamped all 6 sides with one of those large official pink stamp pads just to check if I was telling the truth. lol, the original "doubting Thomas"
12 years ago on Introduction
They sell inch and centimeter cubes made of wood and plastic at teacher supply stores. I bet I could pick some up and make this easily. (Not entirely confident in my cutting something square)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
OK! OK! I finally got around to making one from teacher supplies. Believe it or not, it was easier than I thought. I used wooden 2cm cubes and wood glue. Even with the paint on the cube, the wood glue has stood up to a 4yr old. (Well, only one break after an entire night of whacking on the table. Easily fixed though!) The parts you see are the second project. It was also a great opportunity to practice counting and arithmetic skills with dd. Again, the cubes are great because you can find them at teacher supply stores easily. Even better, they're already the exact size you need!! Thank you so much for this 'ible. It has entertained 4yrs, 15yrs, and...well.... none of your business....adults. ;0) The cube fits together better than it appears in the pics. DD wanted to help so badly.
12 years ago on Introduction
I found a guide to make one of these in a magazine once, and i made it for fathers day
12 years ago on Introduction
I made a lego one of these, but with different sections!
13 years ago on Introduction
VOTED!
13 years ago on Introduction
Interesting! I like it!
13 years ago on Introduction
Not a "burr" puzzle; but I do like the "misdirection ques" that the false saw cuts provide. Also rather easy to build, and should look quite good using highly grained / polished wood. Thanks for the write up - another good use for some scrap oak to build a desk top "visitor annoyance" device.
13 years ago on Introduction
This looks sooo cool! and simple too! Ive been dying for something like this! Good timing too, I have no school tomorrow and I finished my homework today! Monday project time!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I did it! Some irregular squares cut from a 2$ piece of wood and hot glued with excess glue and It works. A nice coat of stain made it look professional too.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
wow that was fast, glad you liked it.
mmm... must be some sort of record here. Im sure I have a DIY patch for that. :)
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Haha. Some kid in my math class spent the whole 52 minutes trying to figure it out. He never did.... He got sooo mad at me... This thing is really entertaining.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
A caffeinated version of the Soma Cube is what I called Quadrominoes https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Quadrominoes-or-Four-Cubed/ Basically, you double the Soma Cube then add two more pieces. You can make a 4x4x4 cube. Well, you can try.
For the ultra caffeinated puzzle addicts, I recommend making Pentominoes: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-your-own-Pentominoes-from-Alphabet-Blo/ There are 2339 solutions for the 1 x 6 x 10 shape, not counting rotations and mirror images. Only for those who can make the Soma Cube in their sleep.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I might also make a more precise soma this weekend, the one I made was a little off...
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Quadrominoes. Alright... Next weekend it is!
13 years ago on Introduction
Interesting, I've seen a puzzle based on this "soma cube" in Hungary first (I'm from Slovakia). Then this summer I've been to Transylvania and a lot of souvenir shops have it there. So I bought one too. But that design's a bit different: the small cubes (all of the 27 pieces) are cut and connected with a rubber band to form these individual shapes. Then these shapes are connected with rubber bands too (although in a plane that is different from the plane the shape's in). This way only the cube can be assembled (I think) and only in a single way. No variations.
13 years ago on Introduction
I made two of these back in middle school shop class, though they didn't look as nice as yours. Thanks for posting this, Nice Instructable!