3D Jigsaw Puzzle

**joe greiner** · 18th May 2008, 09:31 PM

Here's a little 3D jigsaw puzzle I made several years ago. These things are normally cut on a bandsaw (Google [chinese jigsaw puzzle] for a horrid example), but I didn't have a bandsaw at the time. The blank was a piece of baluster stock, 35mm x 35mm x 55mm (1 3/8" x 1 3/8" x 2 1/8") of unknown species. The stroke on my scroll saw is only about 22mm, so I had to cut very gingerly. Also, on the tight turns, barrelling is likely unless extra care is taken to avoid side loading on the blade. On a previous experiment, the cut went reasonably well, but the pieces wouldn't separate in either direction because of barrelling in both directions. I don't remember what blade I used; probably non-spiral about 15tpi.

I didn't reassemble the pieces after the first cut, for a single second cut; instead, I made separate second cuts on each of the first two sub-pieces. I think the Chinese jigsaw puzzle uses only six compound cuts (3 on each face), but that didn't seem advisable here. I sanded the outer cut edges of all four pieces; otherwise it has no finish. Practising "accidental" disassembly for entertainment value took almost as long as the entire production process.

It's not a difficult puzzle to re-assemble. The end grain helps. The pieces are large enough to preclude swallowing by small children. And it provides a few minutes' amusement for children from ages about 4 to (oh, what the heck) about 50 or 60.

Joe

**scooter** · 18th May 2008, 10:23 PM

Good one, thanks Joe.

**keju** · 19th May 2008, 09:08 AM

Cutting that thick and keeping the blad square is a real challenge..... you did very well! I have no problems with 3/4".... after that it gets dicey.
I know I tend to push too hard, but even when I try not to..... even after making triple sure the blade's square..... 1" gives me problems most of the time.
As for a 4 year old reassembling that puzzle..... that must be one smart kid! lol
I've done one like that with just 4 pieces and people couldn't get it back together! ( no , not because my cut was that bad! lol)

Thanks for sharing and reminding me of these fun puzzles

Juvy

**joe greiner** · 19th May 2008, 11:26 PM

Out of ignorance, I just made up the 4-year-old's capabilities. But not the 50 or 60.

Best regards,
Joe

**keju** · 19th May 2008, 11:39 PM

lol that's ok.... there ARE some really smart 4-year olds around! lol

Juvy

**ryanclan** · 20th May 2008, 09:28 AM

I TO MAKE THIS TYPE OF PUZZLE HOWEVER THEY ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN AS MUCH IS THAT MINE HAVE NINE COMPONENTS
THE BASE SIZE IS 30mm SQUARE AND WHAT EVER LENGTH YOU LIKE
AS SOON AS I HAVE A SCRAP OF ANY TIMBER LEFT OVER I MAKE ANOTHER ONE UP
WITH 16 GRAND KIDS THE PUZZLES DONT SEEM TO STAY AT OUR HOUSE TOO LONG
REG

**keju** · 20th May 2008, 09:38 AM

You must all have extremely bright grandkids!!!!!!
I know if I'd give something like that to the kids in our neighbourhood they'd not be able to do that... shoot.... I doubt a lot of grown up's could.

For adults I made some of those simple chinese ones, flat, 4 identical pieces..... to use to make a square..... a lot of them have trouble with that one.

I've also done that knot one .... the simplest of them..... so far nobody took the time to give it a real try, always had to show people how to do it.... have to admit tho... dont' think I'd be able to do those kind of puzzles , specially while someone's watching! lol Maybe there just aren't too many people anymore who think of these challenges as entertainment.... maybe we're too used to just sitting and letting tv entertain us? Or where people back in the old days smarter?

Juvy

**joe greiner** · 20th May 2008, 08:32 PM

Nice one, Reg. A bit more of a challenge to assemble. I expect it'd work better with finer-grain timber than I used, but won't really know until I try it.

Joe

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