Dear All

It’s time to catch up with the progress being made here at RevoHQ.

Personal Update

Firstly, I have, since my last update, undertaken a second procedure on my heart where the consultant fitted a 33mm x 3mm stent in one of my coronary arteries. This had an immediate effect, allowing whole movements to be performed without fatigue. I am so grateful to the consultant and his medical team.

Regarding Charlie, our new engineer, he has continued to grow into the role and has since started his Engineering Manufacturing Technician Level 4 course, which we are supporting him with.

Design & Testing

Since our last update, we have been working with our testers and have now finalised all REVOMAZE Lite designs up to Gold Level. These have improvements added based on the testers' opinions, and we are proud of all the designs that are both imaginative and compelling, with the right balance of skills progressing through the series.

Next week, commencing 29/9/25, we’re shipping these finalised designs to our testers for final reviews and checks before release. While we’re incredibly excited to see these mazes get released to our wider audience, we’d like to ensure that all maze designs are finished to a high standard and that no issues are present.

As soon as confirmation from our testers is given, we will start producing all mazes from Aqua to Gold immediately.

Performance

While programming the machine to manufacture each maze, which was subject to functionality and finish quality, the time required to make each maze had become a problem, with some taking 45 minutes to over 1 hour to machine.

Charlie and I both discussed ways to improve machining times while maintaining the same quality. We introduced several techniques that combined to improve efficiency and enhance the finish, with most mazes taking between 20 and 30 minutes to complete.

Engaging an External Sub-Contractor

While this was to be combined with the appointment of an engineering company, we have attempted to secure a reliable subcontractor that allows us to draw down the parts as needed. Unfortunately, the individual we were dealing with moved to yet another company, which did not appear to be the reliable company we needed.

We have now approached a company with a strong reputation that can produce our parts. We have decided to produce 2,000 sets of Sleeves, Pins, Cans, and Plugs in the short term, which will run in parallel with our machining of the mazes, taking around 3 weeks to manufacture.

The important part is that the Sleeves will be made from a solid bar on a very accurate Citizen M32 Slidinghead Machining Centre. The other parts will also be manufactured on Citizen Machines at a fraction of the time it takes, while ensuring precise, high-quality parts within the tolerances and surface finish we expect.

This will significantly improve the delivery of the puzzles, allowing us to ship

ALL LITES FROM AQUA TO GOLD BY THE END OF OCTOBER.

We are aiming to ship Pink, Ruby, Lilac and Indigo by the end of October, but this depends on feedback from the Top Table group and testers

Black V2 (Brass Only)

Due to the pin issue in the original Aluminium Black V1 Pilot, combined with some disappointment in not utilising all the maze, and in response to numerous requests for a Brass Version, we have redesigned the maze to incorporate 85-90% of the original maze (rather than 40-50%).

This was then checked by our independent testers, who concur that the entire maze is much better designed, and the pin now works as intended (Previously the user was able to climb up from one level to another using force).

As some people are collecting only brass versions, the Black V2 in Brass would complete their sets. We have therefore decided to add this to the Lite Range, allowing us to offer both Aluminium V1 and Brass V2 Limited-Edition Blacks. The Aluminium Black V1 (Pilot) has SOLD OUT, so only the Black V2 in Brass will be available. Customers can now add the Black V2 in Brass to their orders.

Product Changes

We now have 9 Sets in our REVOMAZE Lite Series as follows:

1. Introduction Set (Brass & Aluminium)

BLUE – GREEN – GREY – PURPLE

2. Introduction Set Special Edition Plus (Brass & Aluminium)

AQUA LE (125) – SAPPHIRE – EMERALD – TITANIUM

3. Introduction Set Special Edition (Brass & Aluminium)

SAPPHIRE – EMERALD – TITANIUM

4. Intermediate Special Edition Set Plus (Brass ONLY)

BLACK V2 LE (125) – TEAL – GUNMETAL – COPPER

5. Intermediate Special Edition Set (Brass ONLY)

TEAL – GUNMETAL – COPPER

6. Advanced Set (Brass & Aluminium)

RED – BRONZE – SILVER – GOLD**

7. Limited Edition Set (Brass & Aluminium) (SOLD OUT)

TURQUOISE – LIME – YELLOW – ORANGE**

8. Advanced Special Edition Set Plus (Brass ONLY)

PINK** – RUBY** – LILAC** – INDIGO LE (125)**

9. Advanced Special Edition Set (Brass ONLY)

PINK** – RUBY** – LILAC**

** Dynamic Maze

NOTE: The “Plus” Sets are only available while the Limited-Edition Puzzles Aqua, Black V2 and Indigo** are in stock.

The Limited Edition and Special Edition puzzles include a Certificate and will be numbered. These sets contain Three Special Edition Puzzles and One Limited Edition puzzle. Numbers engraved on the mazes will be unique and available on a first-come, first-served basis. (We agreed that some of our customers can have a signed certificate for all their puzzles. Please keep in touch if this applies to you).

There will be only 125 Aqua, 125 Black V2, and 125 Indigo puzzles made, with 50 Turquoise, 50 Lime, 50 Yellow, and 50 Orange puzzles also produced.

Customers who have already purchased the larger sets will receive the equivalent sets listed above.

Customers who have already purchased individual puzzles will still receive their puzzles, including the Limited-Edition versions.

Price Rises

Due to the rising costs of materials, energy, and subcontractor fees, the price of our puzzles has increased significantly, along with higher postal costs.

We are therefore raising the prices of our products, effective October 1, 2025.

NOTE: All current orders will still receive their puzzles at the original price.

Production of both REVOMAZE Lite and the VAULTMAZE SERIES

With production of our mazes rising to 2,000 units, we are limited to a smaller-than-expected run before Christmas, while we are also producing and completing the pilot of our VAULTMAZE Series that we are scheduled to complete by the end of November 2025.

USA Tariffs

Due to the US Government introducing Tariffs, we are now being charged to ship products to the USA. Our postal service was suspended while they implemented direct duty and fee collection before sending. Without paying this, the US Customs service may refuse entry if the fees are not paid to the US Government, resulting in the products being returned to us.

We are therefore raising the prices of our products in the USA to cover this cost, which is roughly equivalent to paying sales tax or import duties. This is the main reason why we are only shipping sets of 4 puzzles. This additional cost will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Due to the length of time taken to ship your orders, we have decided to pay the import duty at a high cost to us for all pre-orders already made, until Thursday 25^th September 2025 at midnight, to ensure you receive your puzzles without adding any further delay.

Admin

Due to Rachel still being on Maternity Leave, I have been handling all the admin and posting while training Charlie and assisting with the machining. While I am trying to keep up with requests and emails, I am struggling with getting back to people.

Now that we are in full production, Charlie can work on the machining, allowing me more time to keep up with everyone. I can only apologise for this, and I am trying my best.

Rachel is planning to return in Q1 next year, and her time is dedicated to raising our Grandson Elliott, who is growing fast. This Friday, he will be 15 weeks old.

By the time Rachel joins us again, we will have all caught up on everyone’s outstanding orders, both on VAULTMAZE and REVOMAZE Lite.

I want to thank everyone for their continued patience and support. According to reports, the new REVOMAZE Lite Series is expected to be a huge hit next year, so I hope everyone will be pleased with the efforts we have made.

Anyone who wishes to get in touch, please email chris@thepuzzleworkshop.uk and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.

Kindest regards

Chris

Chris Pitt (MD Ashton Pitt Ltd)

“Inventor of the Revomaze”