People often ask puzzle designers "What was going on in your head to design this puzzle?" What was going on in Junichi's head when he designed the Tornado Burr? Visualising things going up and down and back and forth at the same time is one thing, but things going up and down, back and forth and around as well is quite another! Junichi says the Tornado Burr "has very eccentric movements" and challenges puzzlers to "Try your luck, and stop this fierce tornado."

Needless to say this puzzle is not solvable in any computer program that we know of.

This interlocking burr puzzle was recognised for its innovation, design and the amazing puzzle solving experience it provides in the 2007 Nob Yoshigahara Design Competition with an Honourable Mention."

This award winning puzzle is quite rarely seen in the wild. Only one other batch was done by Brian Young at Mr. Puzzle. Having just finished a batch of them myself, I now realize why. This is one of the most difficult puzzles I've ever made. While a modest 12 pieces, they are extremely time consuming to make, requiring many specialized jigs. The rounded parts of the pieces have to be individually turned by hand; it took me 3 days alone to complete that task.

Each puzzle is signed and dated. 40 copies made for sale; 15 of them self destructed during the process, with 25 survivors making it to market. Ships assembled. Get 'em while they're hot; I doubt I'll be making these again!

Special thanks to Brian for holding my hand through the lathe part. A portion of proceeds will go toward the "buy Mr. Puzzle many many beers the next time I see him" fund.