Lee 2x2 Crazy Windmill Cube

Lee 2x2 Crazy Windmill Cube

Lee 2x2 Crazy Windmill Cube is a shape-shifting 2x2 cube. 3D-printed pieces are mounted on a standard 2x2 mechanism and change the shape of the puzzle. In the classic Windmill the cuts are offset and rotated, and in the Crazy version this is done on every axis. After just a few moves the cube no longer looks like a cube and turns into a shape with irregular bumps and edges. It comes in black, with stickers.

How to solve it

Mechanically it is still a 2x2, so in theory you solve it with the same methods. The challenge lies elsewhere. Once scrambled, the shape changes a lot with every move, which makes it harder to tell which pieces sit next to each other and where a given layer is. The pieces are permanently attached, so solving the colors also brings the puzzle back to a cube shape. Most of the work is recognizing the pieces, not learning new algorithms.

This is a puzzle for solving for fun and for collecting, not a cube for setting times. It is handmade from 3D-printed pieces, and the manufacturer does not provide any information about magnets. So the turning will feel noticeably different from a modern 2x2 speed cube.

Crazy Windmill vs other versions

Lee offers several similar 2x2 mods: the regular Windmill, the Fisher and Ghost versions. The Crazy Windmill is the variant with the windmill cut applied on all three axes. As a result, the shape is more chaotic when scrambled than in the regular Windmill.

Who is it for?

For anyone who can solve a 2x2 or 3x3 cube and wants to try something different from yet another classic cube. It also makes a great addition to a collection of shape-shifting puzzles. For a child's first cube, it is better to choose a regular 2x2, because without knowing the basics this model can quickly be discouraging.

Specifications

• Type: shape-shifting 2x2 cube (shape mod)
• Manufacturer: Lee
• Construction: 2x2 mechanism with 3D-printed pieces
• Cuts: windmill on every axis
• Size: approx. 58 mm
• Weight: approx. 80 g
• Color: black, with stickers