Build Three Lego Technic Promo/ Magic Cubes

[DLuders]

While you're at work thinking about something, relieve your stress with a Lego Technic "Promo Cube" or "Magic Cube"! There are three sizes that you can build.

CHAPTER 1: NeXTSTORMING's original, large "Promo Cube" (

). He wrote, "This is my LEGO Technic version of the "Magic Cube", also known as "Promo Cube" or "Picture Cube". If I'm not wrong, this one should be the first "magic cube" ever made using LEGO elements.

"A Magic Cube is consisted of eight smaller cubes and eight hinges arranged in the three dimensions. In total there are 48 square faces ( [6 square faces per small cube] x 8 ), 24 of which are visible while the rest 24 are hidden. During folding (or unfolding), visible square faces turn hidden and vice-versa." It measures 9.4 cm x 9.4 cm x 9.4 cm, and uses 424 pieces. See the Lego Digital Designer (LDD) .lxf Building Instructions file. You will need:

32014 Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Angled #6 - 90 degrees (64 ea,)

32062 Technic, Axle 2 Notched (144 ea.)

3706 Technic, Axle 6 (16 ea.)

3713 Technic Bush (32 ea.)

4265c Technic Bush 1/2 Smooth (32 ea.)

43093 Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise (32 ea.)

43857 Technic, Liftarm 1 x 2 Thick (8 ea.)

6538c Technic, Axle Connector (Smooth with x hole + orientation) (96 ea.)

CHAPTER 2: NeXTSTORMING posted a

and LDD .lxf file of a "Compact" 6.2 x 6.2 x 6.2 cm Magic Cube that requires 232 pieces. You'll need:

32014 Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Angled #6 - 90 degrees (64 ea.)

32062 Technic, Axle 2 Notched (64 ea.)

3705 Technic, Axle 4 (16 ea.)

4265c Technic Bush 1/2 Smooth (32 ea.)

43093 Technic, Axle Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise (32 ea.)

43857 Technic, Liftarm 1 x 2 Thick (8 ea.)

6538c Technic, Axle Connector (Smooth with x hole + orientation) (16 ea.)

CHAPTER 3: There is an EVEN SMALLER Nano Magic Cube. The LDD .lxf file shows the placement of the 48 pieces needed; it's 3.2 cm x 3.2 cm x 3.2 cm. Get past the first 33 seconds of the

to see how the "Nano"-sized cube twirls in your fingers. You will need:

32062 Technic, Axle 2 Notched (16 ea.)

41678 Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Double Split (16 ea.)

43857 Technic, Liftarm 1 x 2 Thick (8 ea.)

4459a Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and NO Center Slots (8 ea.)

See color versions of additional Magic Cubes by Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos on his Facebook Page.

Edited March 10, 2013 by DLuders

[prateek]

I love these things, but the paper keeps ripping! Now it won't rip because it's plastic!

[Jetro]

I built the small one last year and it satyed in my pocket for several weeks - great stress relief

[bord4kop]

I saw the vid @YouTube while watching the Avenger just now.

So I revived an -not so- old thread

And I saw some other video 's, maybe they where posted here before.. Ahh well..

Anyway, enjoy:

Edited October 25, 2010 by bord4kop

[Tobbe Arnesson]

CHAPTER 3: There is an EVEN SMALLER Nano Magic Cube. The Building Instructions show the placement of the 48 pieces needed; it's 3.2 cm x 3.2 cm x 3.2 cm.

Way cool! Have to build one for myself! Thanks!

[jantjeuh]

I saw the vid @YouTube while watching the Avenger just now.

So I revived an -not so- old thread

And I saw some other video 's, maybe they where posted here before.. Ahh well..

Anyway, enjoy:

That walking dragline is very nice! I love huge construction equipment like that.. thanks for that video.

Edited October 26, 2010 by jantjeuh

[DLuders]

[bUMP]

The three Lego Technic Magic Cubes (designed by Vassilis Chryssanthakopoulos / NeXTSTORM / NeXTSTORMING) have been posted on Rebrickable:

LARGE Magic Cube: http://rebrickable.com/mocs/NeXTSTORMING/large-magic-cube

SMALL (Compact) Magic Cube: http://rebrickable.com/mocs/NeXTSTORMING/small-magic-cube

NANO Magic Cube: http://rebrickable.com/mocs/NeXTSTORMING/nano-magic-cube

I like twirling the Nano-sized one at work (

):

[Balrog]

Oh that is very cute. I will build the nano one, as I am obviously not lacking parts for that one :D

[Someonenamedjon]

Do you guys know anyway to replace the Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and NO Center Slots? and the Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Double Split? i only have 3 of the first and i am missing 4 of the last ones.

[davidmull]

Boring!

[CisFran]

On the Nano magic cube, what is the alternative for this part?

It's not available on bricklink..

4459a Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and NO Center Slots (8 ea.)

[DLuders]

@ francisalmario: You can use the 4459 "Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise WITHOUT Center Slots" piece instead:

In Lego Digital Designer (LDD) Parts Pallette, I believe that the Nano Cube MOC designer meant to select the common 2780 "Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise WITH Center Slots" piece. There is no functional need for the pins to be WITHOUT slots -- the SLOTTED version works just fine on the Nano Magic Cube I built:

Since it's difficult to photograph the many-faceted Magic Cubes, here are some LDD2PovRay renders (Flickr photoset):

[CisFran]

Thanks DLuders! much appreciated!

[Porty]

I built the nano one. Coolest thing ever!