Simple Puzzle Box Prototype

**bitingmidge** · 5th October 2005, 09:18 PM

I wasn't going to unleash this on an unsuspecting world until it was in some sort of shape, but I've had a couple of requests for more info from people who tripped over it the other day, and those who know me well enough, will have figured that it may be some time before the real thing is finished!

Objective: Build a small gift box as simply as possible. The fact that it appears impossible to build and to open is a bonus. Puzzle afficionados will recognise this as a very crude variation on a six piece burr.

The photos attempt to describe how, but before I go through those, the timber is EXACTLY the thickness of a saw kerf. That is OK, however this one is suffering from being pulled apart a few times, and a deeper kerf would be useful! For the next one, I will use timber about 6mm thick, which means the dado can be 3mm rather than half a saw kerf deep!

I rounded the ends and edges, but after doing that prefer the crisper look of squared edges. Once I've done a couple of thicker ones, I'll tell you what I like best!

Photos

1) The bits! Six identical sizes, five with identical rebates/dados, two have "notches" or recesses in the long side between the dados (actually to EXACTLY half the depth of the dado) to allow the lid to slide. One lid.

The recess is just visible in the left hand piece, (far left bottom of the piece)

2) The first attempt: no bottom in the box, not rounded either, but you can see how it fits together. Each piece interlocks with the next.

3) Two sides and a bottom. I keep having trouble trying to work out what is happening here due to a bit of an optical illusion!

4) All together with the lid open. Note the intersections of the pieces have to meet EXACTLY half way through the thickness of the timber.

5) Spot the opening! Perfect for a ring or other trinket!

I'd love to see other variations!

Cheers,

P

**Wood Butcher** · 5th October 2005, 09:40 PM

That is phenomenal. An absolute brain tease if you didn't have instructions to put it together. Well Done Midge.

**Harry72** · 5th October 2005, 09:53 PM

Shee its a rubic'smidge!

**RufflyRustic** · 6th October 2005, 10:10 AM

It's brilliant! I spotted it and had to have a closer look on Sunday. I'm gonna try this some day, looks like a job to teach me more patience though

cheers
RufflyRustic

**zenwood** · 6th October 2005, 10:18 AM

Excellent precision work.

So it all holds together with friction? What about doing sliding dovetails for a real challenge?

**Wongo** · 6th October 2005, 10:29 AM

Cute

**TEEJAY** · 6th October 2005, 11:27 AM

Excellent Biting Midge,

Gunna have to make some of these to hand around to relies on overseas trips next year.

Also thanks for adding it the the time for christmas gifts thread. Incoming greenie.

Cheers

**Wongo** · 6th October 2005, 11:30 AM

Glue it so it will be impossible to open.

**RufflyRustic** · 6th October 2005, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by TEEJAY

Excellent Biting Midge,

Gunna have to make some of these to hand around to relies on overseas trips next year.

Also thanks for adding it the the time for christmas gifts thread. Incoming greenie.

Cheers

They can be transported flat - perfect idea Teejay!

cheers
RR

**corbs** · 6th October 2005, 01:39 PM

Love it... I have been studying it since you posted it and still cant figure out how two of the sides dont just fall off

. Any chance of the dimensions of each piece to help me with this one

, I really want to make it.

**Krunchy** · 6th October 2005, 02:13 PM

Like Ruffly, I noticed the puzzle on the weekend too. I can see a howto article in the no too distance future Midge.

Cheers,
Ben

**bitingmidge** · 6th October 2005, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by corbs

Love it... I have been studying it since you posted it and still cant figure out how two of the sides dont just fall off

. Any chance of the dimensions of each piece to help me with this one

, I really want to make it.

The sides should fall off!! I'll try to explain, but it gets a bit hard:

The assembly sequence is:

Start with the base with dado's facing upwards, clip in the two "vertical sides", aligned close to the mid point of the dados (these can be slid into their final position in a moment).

I say "clip" because they are a firm fit, with a thicker timber one could get away with a slightly greater tolerance.

The two "horizontal sides are then clipped onto the vertical sides and slid into the dados of the base.

This gives a box structure on which the sides can easily be dislodged, but it won't collapse unless you are quite heavy handed with it.

The lid then slides in, and because it is also a firm fit, it puts the whole lot in a certain amount of tension. The "vertical" sides can't go anywhere because they are restrained by the dados in the "horizontal" sides.

The "horizontal" sides are the point of weakness, and are clamped into place by friction from the lid.

Hope that makes some sense.

I'll try to measure it tonight.

Cheers,

P

**bitingmidge** · 6th October 2005, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Krunchy

Like Ruffly, I noticed the puzzle on the weekend too. I can see a howto article in the no too distance future Midge.

I think I've just had an idea for a Christmas present for you lot!

P

**Krunchy** · 6th October 2005, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

I think I've just had an idea for a Christmas present for you lot!

P

**junkboy999** · 6th October 2005, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

I think I've just had an idea for a Christmas present for you lot!

P

What? Bricks, because we cant Figure it out heheh

Great job. Midge, this will keep us all bizzy this winter

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