MF8 Sun Cube

MF8 Sun Cube

MF8 Sun Cube is a puzzle built on a 3x3 cube mechanism. It has octagonal centers, and each face looks like a sun. You can turn it like a regular 3x3 in 90-degree moves. You can also turn a face by just 45 degrees and keep turning layers that are offset from each other. After moves like these, the cube loses its cubic shape and the number of possible configurations grows dramatically. That's why we've placed it in our shape-shifting puzzles category.

45-degree moves and hidden bandaging

After 45-degree moves, pieces inside the cube start to block each other (bandaging). Some turns then become impossible, and you first need to change the position of other layers. This bandaging is hidden inside, but the semicircular cut-outs on the kite-shaped pieces hint at how the blocking parts are arranged. The cube works in a similar way to the DaYan Bagua Cube and belongs to the same family of "sun puzzles". Buyers who have owned both say the Sun Cube is a bit easier to solve and pops less often.

How it turns

This is a puzzle for your collection and for some serious thinking, not a speedcubing cube. According to user reviews, the cube is fairly stiff out of the box but turns noticeably smoother after a few solves. Catching happens often, and with such a complex design it's hard to avoid. It's best to turn calmly and not force a layer that resists. Before you use force, check whether it's just catching or whether the move is blocked by bandaging. Some people have improved how the cube performs by taking it apart and readjusting the tension.

Who is it for?

MF8 Sun Cube is for people who know the 3x3 well and want to try something more challenging, for example after the Mixup Cube or before the Bagua Cube. Collectors of MF8 puzzles can treat it as a starting point for the larger puzzles in this series, such as the Sunminx. It's not suitable as a child's first cube, because without knowing how to solve a 3x3 it's easy to get discouraged.

MF8 also offers a Bandaged version with partial cuts on the faces that restrict some moves, as well as a separate model, the Sun Cube v2 Copter Turning. This page is for the basic MF8 Sun Cube.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3-based puzzle, 90- and 45-degree turns
• Manufacturer: MF8
• Manufacturer code: mf86204
• Size: approx. 66 mm
• Body color: black