Soma Cube for Brain Development

Problem:
sometimes I have difficulty solving a problem (math, idea generation, etc.)

Solution:
Certain activities (walking, tangrams, numchucks, soma cubes) reset my brain and make intellectual problems easier to solve


Materials:
2x4
wood glue


Tools:
table saw
wood clamps


Wiki on soma cubes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soma_cube

some soma cube patterns:
http://www.fam-bundgaard.dk/SOMA/SOMA1/SOMAFIG1.HTM

at first I was going to measure exactly how big I could make my cubes, based on the size of the 2x4, then I thought that rather than measure and force the making, I'd let the material decide how big to make the cubes:

adjust table saw to cut off the curved edge part of the 2x4 (biggest part of wood between blade and fence)

cut 1 side off all 2x4s

adjust the table saw to cut about half of the remaining part of the 2x4 (smallest part of wood between bade and fence), use a practice piece first to get the fence adjustment right

cut the other curved edge of the 2x4 off (biggest side of 2x4 between blade and fence)

now you are left with square lengths of wood about 1.5"x1.5"

set up a jig and cut the lengths of wood so they are square

glue the soma cubes, 2 cubes at a time

match cubes to shapes, sand if necessary

I made it at TechShop
http://www.techshop.ws/