Sixticks - Interlocking puzzle by Stewart Coffin (STC #268)

thingiverse

## ## Sixticks ### Interlocking puzzle by Stewart Coffin (STC #268) Assemble six pieces into the interlocking configuration shown in the cover photo. _Sixticks_ is one of many variants that Coffin explored on the classic [Altekruse Puzzle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altekruse_Puzzle). Whereas the original _Altekruse Puzzle_ uses 12 identical pieces, _Sixticks_ uses just 6 pieces, the fewest of any Altekruse variant. _Sixticks_ is much easier than other Altekruse variants. Assembling it is nearly trivial; yet Coffin still considered it interesting enough to merit attention. In the 2010s, he wrote: "I must have made at least one experimental model about 40 years ago and found that it had one symmetrical solution, plus a second that I call a 'ghost' solution, meaning that the pieces would fit together if only it were possible to assemble. "Recently I made another set of pieces to photograph, and of course to tinker with in case something of interest may have been overlooked. This time I discovered several solutions, including some that use five of one kind of piece and one of the other. ... I enlisted the help of two puzzle experts, Nick Baxter and Bill Cutler. ... In the end we all agreed that this little novelty is not nearly as simple as I had once supposed. So now I call it _Sixticks_ and belatedly assign a serial number." If you're looking for a more serious puzzle challenge, see the listings for Coffin's [Square Knot / Plus 2](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5388195) and the [Extended Altekruse Puzzle Set](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4790801). ### Printing Instructions Print three copies each of `coffin.sixticks.piece-left.stl` and `coffin.sixticks.piece-right.stl`. Use one filament color for the left-handed pieces and a different color for the right-handed pieces. If you want to make Coffin's variant assemblies described above, print two additional copies of `coffin.sixticks.piece-left.stl` (or `coffin.sixticks.piece-right.stl`; it doesn't matter which). The expanded set of eight pieces can make either the 3/3 or 5/1 configurations. Each piece type has a smaller version with the suffix `.smaller.stl`. The smaller versions are compatible in size with the [Extended Altekruse Puzzle Set](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4790801). ### The Printable Puzzle Project The [Printable Puzzle Project](https://www.puzzlehub.org/ppp) aims to make available high-quality open-source models of many puzzle designs. All of our models are posted with the generous permission of their designers and are licensed for __non-commercial use only__. Anyone may print copies for their own personal use, but selling or otherwise monetizing them is not permitted, and puzzle designers retain all rights as copyright holders of their work. Our puzzles are modeled using the open-source [puzzlecad](https://www.puzzlehub.org/puzzlecad) library. The `.scad` file is included with this model in case you want to modify any of its design parameters; more information on how to do this can be found in the PPP [Puzzle Modeling tutorial](https://www.puzzlehub.org/tutorials/puzzle-modeling). ### About the Designer Stewart Coffin has been called "the most outstanding designer and maker of interlocking puzzles that the world has ever seen". He is credited with over four hundred designs, has pioneered numerous ingenious puzzle forms, and has written extensively about puzzle design and craftsmanship. More information on Coffin, along with many other printable models of his designs, can be found on the [Stewart Coffin Puzzles](https://www.puzzlehub.org/puzzles/stewart-coffin) overview page. Happy puzzling!