Customer Reviews

Pins Cube

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought a number of rubik cubesque puzzles for Christmas -- this one was supposed to be the easiest, but it's definitely not. I've yet to do it successfully -- often left with just one piece that fits, but its pin(s) won't line up correctly.

What this is... there are wooded blocks with wooded pins sticking out of them and holes as well, so you have to arrange the blocks into a cube in a way that the pins on one can go into the holes on another. But I don't think every hole gets a pin through it, and the space in the middle is hollow.

It's a real challenge. It also reminded me what I don't like about these puzzles -- there's no real clue to the final solution. In a jigsaw puzzle, you know what the end product looks like -- even with a rubik's cube, you know what color each side needs to be. But with this... unless you have the image handy, you're really flying blind. (And having the image handy would make it too easy.)

Once again, we have a cube puzzle that reminds one of a Rubik's Cube or a Soma Cube.This one is made of wood .There are a total of 26 (not 27) small cubes put together in 6 configurations; 2 of 5 cubes and 4 of 5 cubes.Many,but not all,of the cubes have holes in them.There are 6 wooden "pins","nails" or "rods",each appearing to be 3 times the width of a small cube,that fit the holes;and "locks" the cubes together.
The first task is to find how to take the cube apart.Some rods fit better at the ends than others.However;it is obvious one must find which rod unlocks it all.
Once found,the real puzzle starts when you have to reassemble it again.
This is an old puzzle that has been sold by many companies.It has a variety of names,Pins Cube,Nails Cube, Ancient Key,and others.
I would rate it a 3 out of 10 in Difficulty.It is sturdy,and seems simpler than it really is;thus tempting virtually anyone to "give it a try".It is easy to see what must be done and has great amusement value.It is also the type of puzzle,that even if already solved;you can put it away for a while and pick it up again later,and it is just as puzzling as it was the first time.
Oh yeah,the missing cube has to be in the center...where else?