Brian's Puzzle Blog & other things

[MBD]

One of my puzzle buddies, Brian Pletcher, started a neat puzzle blog: http://mechanical-puzzles.blogspot.com/ Keep checking back for awesome puzzle stories & such.
Brian also dabbles in puzzle making: http://www.flickr.com/photos/link774/sets/72157612296712428/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/link774/sets/72157612294362096/
 

Other news:
Mr. Puzzle has some IPP 29 puzzles for sale http://www.mrpuzzle.com.au/category32_1.htm and Mongolian Puzzles! http://www.mrpuzzle.com.au/category98_1.htm

Other things:
Where be Roby and Chinny?? 

[Canuck]

Thanks for the links Matt 

Looks like Brian is almost ready to sell his puzzlework on 'Paradise' 

[Chinnomotto]

 Where be Roby and Chinny?? 
[/quote]

Official Roby Spokesperson,,,,Master is busy playing with his lathe and finishing his next puzzle range

I believe pics are coming soon. Can'twait

Me, I'm  up to no good, as usual, espionage work with 007 and Roly Poly, top secret stuff ya know.

[MBD]

Brian will try to post one new short article a day.... so check back frequently. 

http://mechanical-puzzles.blogspot.com/

[Canuck]

Thanks for posting the link Brian...I dropped one on Paradise 

[Roby]

Holy $%^#

Brain is the new competion out there.  ((Well Peter really rocks as well and has also make me up my game.))

Brian is like a cross breed between Roby and Chinney.  He has the mechanical woodworking gift, and also the electronic addtion gift as well. 

You guys are killing me over here.  At my age, I should be able to just retire and make measley puzzle trinkets.  Now I have to step things up because the new talent more than exeptional.

Brian - I am utterly impressed with your work.  Keep on doing what you do.

[brianpletcher]

  Thanks Roby! I appreciate the kind words. Hopefully I'll be making some more stuff soon! Matt has been fiilling my mind with his crazy ideas.

Also thanks for the link Canuck! I'm keeping an eye on your site to decide how I'm going to spend all my $

- Brian

P.S. Just added today's entry: mechanical-puzzles.blogspot.com

[Canuck]

Well, that's another cool blog...congrats on putting it together...I can tell you from experience, that puzzle is difficult to make properly for some of the reasons you described, it's always been a favorite of mine...  

[gibell]

Awesome blog!  But I found it irritating that one can't even enter a comment unless one subscribes to various user groups (I do not).  I typed in a lengthy comment but couldn't get it published.

My comment was about it being nuts to go for the Yak straight off.  I've been working up to that puzzle for years, and I'm still not ready!  Try the Whale or Brontosaurus first!

[brianpletcher]

Thanks George! I have changed the configuration so now to post without creating an account. I definitely don't want to stifle comments because I'd love to hear what folks think! It is nice to know that somebody is reading it, too

Yeah, I was probably a bit crazy to start with the Yak right away, but I just can't resist a challenge! I will check out the Whale or the Brontosaurus...perhaps by thinking through those easier ones I will come up with some way to appoach the Yak.

- Brian

P.S. Just added today's entry: mechanical-puzzles.blogspot.com

[Canuck]

I'm trying to post links to puzzle blogs in 'Paradise'...if you know of any, drop a link so I can add it, so far I have these posted:
Brian Pletcher
Pavel Curtis
Tom Cutrofello
Jeff Chiou


....

[brianpletcher]

Hey John,

A fellow named Jeff (not sure of his last name) has a puzzle blog here: magicpuzzles.org

Brian

P.S. New entry today: mechanical-puzzles.blogspot.com

[Canuck]

Thanks Brian    That's Jeff Chiou, and strangely enough he has a pic of my 'knock-off' version of the 'Stickman Snowflake' in an older posting...

[gibell]

Thanks George! I have changed the configuration so now to post without creating an account. I definitely don't want to stifle comments because I'd love to hear what folks think! It is nice to know that somebody is reading it, too

Thanks for changing this!  You have a great blog and it is nice that there is a new post every day.  It is always interesting for me to hear other people's experience solving puzzles.  I also have more than half the Hanayama line so I have a lot of personal experience with most of the puzzles you talk about.

I have many of the easier Hanayamas and you haven't mentioned many of them!  I find the hardest ones a bit frustrating at times.  It is nice to step down to the easier ones at times just to gain some confidence.  It's weird, though, I bought a "Cast Loop" and solved it in 5 minutes or less.  But after almost a year I picked up a friend's unassembled copy and couldn't figure it out in a minute or so.  It is amazing how puzzles can exploit ones "mental blind spots".

[Roby]

John,

At one time, that snowflake remake was part of the library program.  I think I sent the No 5 to Chiou as well.  It has been around the entire world, but is now safe again on my shelf, next to the Chinney Egg and hellraiser, the MAcDaw, and the Wiltshire box.