CYLINDRIX - STEWART COFFIN

[Canuck]

Okay all, after seeing 'Skiprat's 'aluminum dowel' puzzle, I kept thinking it reminded me of something and I finally put it all together...Stewart's 'Hexsticks' puzzle design but made from dowel stock, so curiously enough it is mentioned in 'Ap-Art' as design #89 called 'Cylindrix', and here's a direct quote:

'This was to be a variation of 'Hexsticks (25-A)' using round dowels rather than hexagonal sticks.  One rough model was made long ago, which may still be around somewhere, but it did not work as well as hoped.'

So...maybe I could be so bold as to ask Ou Toppie if he could draw us up somethin'

Here's a pic of Stewart's original Hexsticks;

[Johan Heyns]

I'll have a look.  You know that stuff that's not square is not my strong suite.

Like the army:  If it is stationary, make it square and paint it green!  If it moves, salute it!!!

[rolly_wood]

I remember to have done some model like that but I do not have any idea how stable the assembly is. What info do you need John?


[attachment deleted by admin]

[Canuck]

Nice Rolly...I would think it should work similar to 'Hextsticks'...definitely calls for a prototype

[rolly_wood]

Surely you know that also Dubois worked on this shape.

Unfortunately it is not known where the notches are. The assembly is too "packed" to simply have the pieces with 2 central notches each.
Probably the notches scheme of Rebel will follow that of Hexsticks.
But this is surely more stable than cylindrix. I've done one with 30 round bars and you need to fix them with tape until the last piece is in place.
Not so pleasant to play with it. Maybe with 12 it could be different.. yes I agree, we need a prototype

[Canuck]

Surely you know that also Dubois worked on this shape.

Unfortunately it is not known where the notches are. The assembly is too "packed" to simply have the pieces with 2 central notches each.
Probably the notches scheme of Rebel will follow that of Hexsticks.
But this is surely more stable than cylindrix. I've done one with 30 round bars and you need to fix them with tape until the last piece is in place.
Not so pleasant to play with it. Maybe with 12 it could be different.. yes I agree, we need a prototype

Oh yeah, I'm a big fan of Dubois...much of his work is obscure, I often wonder if someone will ever attempt to document his designs?

[Canuck]

Unfortunately it is not known where the notches are. The assembly is too "packed" to simply have the pieces with 2 central notches each.
Probably the notches scheme of Rebel will follow that of Hexsticks.
But this is surely more stable than cylindrix. I've done one with 30 round bars and you need to fix them with tape until the last piece is in place.
Not so pleasant to play with it. Maybe with 12 it could be different.. yes I agree, we need a prototype

Yes, and to make it stable, my thinking is to join pieces together similar to the 'seven piece hexstick' design?

[rolly_wood]

Nice idea John, it could work. Unfortunately my rough computer models are not able to predict the stability degree... How would you cut round notches?
Which diameter would you use?

[Canuck]

How would you cut round notches?
Which diameter would you use?

Well, I think the round notches would be easily accomplished with a jig that you would slide the dowel in and drill out with a forstner bit, easier done than explained

Size I think should be in the 5/8" - 3/4" vicinity

[rolly_wood]

I used also the drill with a jig made by a block in which on one side the piece has to be inserted into a hole drilled with an angle (70.5 in this  case?); on the other side another hole is drilled shifted half thickness and this is for the bit to cut the notch. Then, turn the piece 120 insert more deeply into the block and cut the other notch...
Sorry I cannot explain.. but I think is the same as yours

[rolly_wood]

my rough method to drill notches... do not you laugh please.
Did you mean like that John?

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Canuck]

Ummmmmm...yeah!  Man you don't mess around   Very nice jig and puzzle of course!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rolly_wood]

Of course the idea is not "mine". It is the well known design of Philippe Dubois http://puzzles.baxterweb.com/images/full/IMG_0283.jpg
I found the values of the angles by computer try-and-error procedure because angles are not the theoretical ones of the 12hedron... 

[Canuck]

Hmmmmm, an 'Unnamed Dubois'?



Dubois version


Definitely deserves a name...



Rolly's version

[Canuck]

I'm very intimidated by your talent Rolly