Flowerblocks

thingiverse

FlowerBlocks is a magnetic building block set that lets users play their way, setting rules or using it like regular dominoes, which inspired its design. The basic project files include: - A readme (this same text) - 3D and real-life pictures - A half-block blueprint (blueprint-flowerblocks.pdf) Optional use includes: - A half-block basic profile for CNC cutting (halfblock_cnc_router-flowerblocks.dxf) - A half-block 3D printer file (halfblock_3d_printer-flowerblocks.stl) To make FlowerBlocks, you'll need: - MDF pieces - Neodymium magnets (2 for each half-piece) - 5mm metal shelf pins - Contact adhesive or super-glue - Table saw - Band saw - Drill press Cut a long piece of MDF, 3cm wide and 1cm thick, to get several 7cm pieces. You can leave some slack to trim each piece later. Draw or print reference points for the 9 holes and finish them with a drill press. Separate the half-pieces by cutting them at 45° mid-point with a band saw. You can also cut the outer corners at this point. Mark and drill the magnet holes at each 45° surface, making sure they're perpendicular so the magnets lay flat. Cover the entire surface with laminating material and glue it in place. Countersink each hole (except for the magnet ones) by about half a millimeter. Almost done: soften the edges and paint the pieces if desired. Build as many FlowerBlocks as you like, then grab some metal shelf pins to complete your set. You can adapt the project and construction methods to fit your reality. For example, we didn't use a band saw, so we didn't chamfer the corners. We also skipped drilling the center hole at the articulating 45° surface, which would hold a small bolt and nut. The strong magnets held the pieces together, allowing us to separate the half-pieces and increase building possibilities.