Introduction: Building / Fixing a Rubik's Cube
Invented in 1974 by a Hungarian teacher by the name of Erno Rubik, the Rubik's Cube has become one of the most popular puzzles on the planet. Even though it is so widely spread, not that many people know how to solve it. In this Instructable, I will show you how to build a Rubik's cube or fix it. You might technically even be able to solve it if you put the pieces back together in a certain order ;) So let's start!
Supplies
- 3D Printer (If you don't have a Rubic's cube and want to print your own)
- Hammer and a wrench or something similar to both (If putting the last corner hurts your fingers or is hard to do)
Step 1: Making the Foundation
So first, we will take the ball that will go in the center and the 6 spoke type of things and insert them into the holes like this. I also attached the parts and a stand to place your Rubik's Cube on files.
Step 2: Starting the Bottom Layer
Now, we will start with the bottom layer. We will take 1 of the side pieces and place it as shown in the picture. Starting with this piece will make the entire process of building the Rubik's Cube easier. Also, put the cube on something flat and balance it on one of the spokes. This way, the pieces will not fall out when we place them.
Step 3: Putting the Corners in the Bottom Layer
After placing the first side piece, we will place the corner piece like in the picture. We will continue this pattern all around the bottom layer. Side piece then corner piece and then side piece. Make sure not to move the other pieces when placing the new ones.
Step 4: Completed Bottom Layer
This is how the bottom layer should look like after placing all of the pieces. Again, make sure not to move the pieces because you might have to start over :)
Step 5: Starting the Middle Layer
Now, we will start building the middle layer. We will first take one of the side pieces and place it like the first picture. All of the side pieces will have to be oriented this way when you place them in the second layer. The other pictures show how it should look like after you place it on the cube.
Step 6: Finishing the Middle Layer
To complete this middle layer, we will add 3 more of the side pieces and place them in the same orientation as described in step 5. The cube should look like the picture above. Now, you should only have 4 corner pieces and 4 side pieces left.
Step 7: Starting the Final Layer
Again, we will start with a side piece just like the bottom layer. We will then place it in the cube like the picture above.
Step 8: Adding the Corners in the Final Layer
After adding the first side piece, we will add a corner piece next to the side piece like in the picture above. We continue all around the cube and stop when we have 1 corner left.
Step 9: The Last Corner
The last corner is probably the hardest step in my opinion. This is because to put it in, you have to kind of shove it into the cube. This is where something similar to a hammer and pliers could come in handy. If you are 3d printing the parts though, keep in mind that the parts could break more easily than parts from and actual Rubic's cube. Hold the piece with the pliers and GENTLY try to push/hit it in with something similar to a hammer. After this, you are done!
Step 10: The Finished Cube
After putting the last corner, you have successfully built your own Rubik's Cube. Congratulations! If you 3D printed the cube, you can now add stickers or color the parts to finish it up. If you do not know how to solve a Rubik's cube, use this link to learn the easy but slow method or this link to learn the fast but EXTREMELY hard method. Just in case you just can't learn how to solve it or you don't want to take the time to, click on this link to take you to a website that will solve it for you. Please vote for me in the TINKERCAD STUDENT DESIGN CONTEST located in the "Contests" page if you liked this Instructable. Thank you so much!