Helical Burr - Derek Bosch by Two Brass Monkeys

Wow, this puzzle has some crazy moves that I just can’t seem to wrap my brain around!  I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out the movements but I end up just randomly moving the pieces back and forth until about what appears to be the midway point only to get completely stuck!

So after finally getting it completely apart, now it’s hopelessly stalled at about the midway point again!  Definitely a brain twister on disassembly or assembly!

Thankfully Kevin has an assembly video

This puzzle is a very cool design by Derek and 3D printed by the gents at Two Brass Monkeys.

Here’s the description from Puzzlemaster:

“A twisted concept that will stimulate your dna!  Helical Burr is Derek Bosch's awarding winning puzzle design. It took the Jury Grand Prize in the 2013 Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition.  It was, and remains, a highly original puzzle design. The four cylindrical pieces twist and turn to form a solid cylinder.

The goal of the puzzle is simply to disassemble and reassemble the four pieces. There are two possible assemblies, one is very simple (a key piece screws out), the other takes 11 moves as the pieces dance around each other.

If you have never solved a Helical design before, the Helical Burr is the perfect introduction. If you love the concept, try your hand at Helical Burr 2 (Heel Lick All Bare, Too!) which is a much more difficult burr than the original version.

This puzzle has been printed in PLA by the Two Brass Monkeys, with each print taking 17.5 hours to complete.  It is ideally suited for 3D printing since no craftsman has been brave enough to make one (so far!) using any other technique.

The Two Brass Monkeys are Ali Morris and Steve Nicholls. They are two long time puzzle collectors (who each have 1000's of puzzles!).  They live near each other in the UK and are regular attendees at International and UK Puzzle Events.  

Their philosophy is simple! They make puzzles that they have designed and also designs by others that they would like to have in their collections. They have produced many puzzles in metal but are continually looking to expand their range of both materials and manufacturing techniques.”

Puzzle Guy on YouTube has a spoiler video.