Snub Star (Preview)

This puzzle is sold in a disassembled state. Purchasers will receive a solution PDF file showing the assembly procedure. Even with the solution, assembly is very difficult for those unfamiliar with this type of puzzle. If you do not feel confident assembling it, please do not place an order. If you request assembly from us after ordering, we will cancel your order.

This puzzle is the largest, heaviest, and most expensive puzzle we have ever released. When assembled, the Snub Star is spectacular and draws the attention of even those not interested in puzzles.

Sixty pieces made from six different types of wood interlock in a complex way, forming a shape resembling a small stellated dodecahedron. At the tips of the stars, five rod shaped pieces meet as if twisted into a swirling vortex.

We have released large polyhedral puzzles in the past, but there are limits to the size that can be shipped assembled, and Juno has always designed within those constraints. However, when designing the Snub Star in CAD software, he realized it would have to be built larger than those limits allow. He simply could not suppress his desire to create it in wood. This puzzle is the result of Juno pursuing what he wanted to achieve.

The Snub Star comes with a 430mm tall display stand made from Bubinga. The reddish parts of the wood are the heartwood, and the whitish parts are the sapwood. If you place the assembled Snub Star directly on a table, it will only stand stably on its own when three of the star's tips contact the surface. Supporting a puzzle weighing approximately 3.7kg on just three points is precarious, and it also makes the pieces prone to damage. To prevent this, the stand is designed so that the five edges near the tip of each point rest on the top surface of retaining parts attached to the posts.

When assembling the puzzle, especially in the early stages, use rubber bands or similar to keep the pieces crossed and held in the correct position. As you progress, the puzzle will gain weight and become bulkier and more unwieldy. Supporting it with a folded bath towel or cushion can provide stability during assembly.

Diameter: 370 mm

Number of pieces: 60

Material: American Black Walnut, American Rock Maple, Fijian Mahogany, Jarrah, PNG Rosewood, Satin Sycamore, and Bubinga

Designer: Junichi Yananose (Juno)

Origin: Made in Australia

Ages: 18+