Thursday 6 September 2012

Houston! I have a problem!!

Iwahiro cylinder - firmly shut!
I am truly terrible at opening the aluminium puzzles from Wil Strijbos! It took me weeks to open the cylinders. I spent 2 months on the Opening bat from Mr Puzzle. Maybe I shouldn't have bought the Alcyl designed by Iwahiro because on arrival it was almost open and I quickly just tightened it shut and now cannot open it at all! Absolutely no movement whatsoever!!!

In my desperation! Look what I did:

Vertical view
Horizontal view
The problem? Even with these Xrays, I still can't open the damn thing!! Maybe I need to stop puzzling!!!

19 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yes! I have spun it!
      Yes! I have blown on it!

      Still shut!!!

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  2. You're crazy ! ;)

    I'm stuck with washer cylinder, absolutely no clues...
    Good luck with this one !

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    Replies
    1. Have you seen my X-rays of the washer cylinder? Even though it didn't help me open it, I think it is more useful than this set!

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  3. Kevin, it's likely cross threaded...I used to have this puzzle and it's very easy to get crossed up..;)

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    Replies
    1. Ah! In which case, Houston, I really do have a problem! This would mean I'm not just being thick!

      Thanks for tht info, John! Time to get the rubber gloves out to give me a really good grip!

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  4. Oh oh...mine is due to arrive any day now...the x-rays don't appear to show too much

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  5. Kevin, my arrived this afternoon....after reading your post and the comments from Canuck, I was very careful and handled the Alcyl gingerly....managed to open it in less than a minute!

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  6. I should have bought this one in DC. Looks like I'll have to contact Wil.

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    Replies
    1. Most people are saying its very easy! Taking them less than a minute!

      Mine, on the other hand, remains very firmly shut! I have frozen it to no avail! Taking it to todays puzzle party to see if the boys can open it and make me look stupid (AGAIN!)

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  7. Houston responds "Solving this puzzle is not rocket science. Come back when you have a real emergency!"

    ;-)

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  8. Well we received Wil's email update :) Happy ending!!! Should the post be updated then?

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    Replies
    1. Yep - hopefully at the Dutch cube day, I will be given replacement cylinder.

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  9. Looks like you were mistakenly given the one with the enriched uranium pellet. Glad they tracked it down.

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  10. Pfjoei, just had the same problem. It was just stuck and couldn't move it one bit. My solution for your problem.

    First I used WD40 and after cleaned the surface with brakecleaner. As I already and you as well know how to open it, it was quite easy.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, I was going to do just what you suggested but was told that I shouldn't use WD40 because it can damage the anodised surface. Even after all this time, I still can't open it so I may just have to give your technique a try! Thanks for letting me know that it works?

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  11. Hi Kevin,

    I'm using WD40 for a long time now. I use it for a lot off reasons but it won't harm anodized surfaces. I use a lot of anodized screws and never had any problems. Better yet a lot off anodizing companies even use WD40 to make it a bit more shiny!!!
    Here a link of the process where also WD40 is mentioned!!
    http://www.engineeringhobbyist.com/projects/completed/anodizing/

    Best regards,
    Bidle

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    Replies
    1. Thanks very much! Very interesting link! I will give the WD40 a go when I can find it in my rather full cupboards!

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