Mini Revomaze Keyring Project

[Paradox]

Or how about a LCD screen that hurls abuse at you every time you fail?

[Mark76]

SUCK.gif

[sil]

Something like that

Every time you have to reset the maze it gives an evil laugh and calls you a loser. Get stuck in the bronze swimming pool and it gurgles and exclaims "I'm drowning!" (or plays the Jaws theme).

Add wireless and a rumble pack and just as you reach a tricky part that requires care, patience and finesse to navigate it starts vibrating and screams out random news headlines from the net.

Or it can tell you you're getting warmer or cooler...only it randomly chooses to tell the truth



Just wondering, the keyring project is nice and all but it doesn't offer anything new apart from size. It's certainly a cool exercise and one I couldn't achieve. However what about flattening the maze so you have a credit card (or smaller) rectangular puzzle that might suit beginners and be more pocketable? Does the see through acrylic version make it easy to navigate or is there enough distortion to make it confusing?


What about a reconfigurable revomaze? Using a tile set that locks together around the central shaft (sort of like roof tiles where they all lock together and hold each other in place) with a screw on end cap to lock them together. Think something like a slot car track set where you have pieces that are set designs but allows you to mix and match to configure lots of different track layouts. Something like that with well thought out standard pieces would allow for people to reconfigure and test their mates. Mazes would be simpler but have good replay value and the outer sleeve could be in two halves bolted together to allow easy opening and cleaning.

[Mark76]

The first time I saw a Revomaze was on a gadget review website. What caught my eye was that it was the only gadget that wasn't electronic, there were no gimmicks, and what appealed to me was the singular task, me against a lump of metal, get it open, and enjoy the journey. I've never been good at puzzles and I'd never really bought one, (any I have were presents or "hand me downs") I'd never have contemplated spending this kind of money on a puzzle, but the look and the idea of it had me parting with my cash, and I'm glad I did. I guess I don't really believe it needs anything extra.

As for the clear acrylic case, I spent a lot of time polishing the inside to make it fully clear. With the maze in a case like this it isn't a (difficult) puzzle. It's just a case of following the path from one end to the other (carefully). It is however a good way to display, demonstrate and test a maze.

The idea of a reconfigurable revomaze sounds interesting, it may be a good idea to put some designs on paper, work out the small details and figure out how/if it would work.

[Mark76]

Plan A - FAIL

This didn't work out too well. It was too fiddly and if the spring is under too much tension the screws don't hold.

Plan A1.jpg

[Mark76]

Plan B - Looking Good!!

This worked surprisingly well. I was a little bit worried about the amount of play the pin would have , but it seems ok. I need to tweek the pin slightly to create more area for the spring to push against but that shouldn't be a problem.

Need to make some new cases, my test case is starting to look like swiss cheese.

Plan B1.jpg

Plan B2.jpg

Plan B3.jpg

[Mark76]

Update
Had a play with creating the rounded end and tried a new case design (The Supagrip)

The rounded end works ok but you have to be careful when inserting it, I'm worried the pin will bend. Need to do some more testing.

Supagrip2.jpg

[EABlade]

needs to be durable!!! I'm rough on key chains

[Mark76]

Testing done... as long as the hole for the pin has enough depth to it, it holds the pin straight (less wobble) and with enough angle on the curve of the shaft, the shaft inserts without much force at all.

Had a go at doing a blue, the maze is now a lot more like it's big brother, not quite the same amount of detail, had to adjust it to give more thickness to the walls to make it a bit more durable, don't want them to bend or break off.

The clear maze was something I've been wanting to try for a while. It's come out really well but the plastic is quite brittle, gonna have to be careful not to drop it. Also the pin doesn't run as smooth against it as I had hoped, maybe a little oil will help?

Still a bit of refining to do and the badge needs sorting out, but its getting there.

Blue1.jpg

Clear1.jpg

Clear2.jpg

[Paradox]

I'm loving the see-through look Mark!