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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    south coast NSW
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    Default Japanese puzzle boxes

    Does anyone know if there is any info available on how to make a puzzle box?
    My research would suggest that the info is passed on from master to apprentice and the youngest of those is 60! It is a brain teaser just trying to work out the mechanism let alone trying to make one.I'm making this my life's work to master the puzzle.

    regards Ecca

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    Oberon, NSW
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    63
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    Default

    Ahhh, Grasshopper. First you must walk this rice-paper without leaving a mark...
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  4. #3
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Eden Hills, South Australia
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    Default

    Which one did you have in mind?
    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them . . . well, I have others.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    south coast NSW
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    20

    Cool Puzzle boxes

    Zenwood, Sorry didn't know about different types, except for different number of moves. My own example of Himitsu-Bako is about 3 sun long and takes 12 moves to open. That will do nicely. I feel that it would be a real challenge for someone of my limited talents. We can all improve.
    regards Ecca

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
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    Bundanoon, Southern Highlands
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    Default

    Ecca

    Try this site - he is the Australian Mr.Puzzle maker and has an extensive list of Links to other worthwhile sites.


    Tony Ward

  7. #6
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    May 2005
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    Eden Hills, South Australia
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ecca
    My own example of Himitsu-Bako is about 3 sun long and takes 12 moves to open.
    Sounds like you've already made one - ? Got any pics?
    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them . . . well, I have others.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    south coast NSW
    Posts
    20

    Default Puzzle boxes

    Thanks for the website Tony. Have had a quick look to date but it does not appear to have any plans. I may have to go and live in Japan for half a century or so.
    No I have not made one but was given one.
    I'm convinced that to make a puzzle box in the trad. manner would test anyone one this site. As I said it could be a life time quest.
    But isn't that what retirements for?
    Ecca

  9. #8
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    May 2005
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    Eden Hills, South Australia
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    Default

    Well, we couldn't work out the keyhole joint, so we've got no hope of sorting out the puzzle box.

    See this thread: http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=31772

    Good luck in your quest, Ecca.
    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them . . . well, I have others.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Launceston, Tasmania
    Age
    58
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    315

    Default

    Zenwood,

    Just on the Keyhole joint, could it be made by using a 45 degree joint and sliding the faces together at 45 degrees. Looks like it would be the way to do it.

    Mag

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Adelaide
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    304

    Default

    Mag - check that discussion in Zen's link. It was discussed there - does not work. The keyhole part must enter the joined face from some side, and there is no entry hole.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Taiwan
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    54
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    184

    Default One of us is going to have to try to reproduce it...

    Reproduce it. That is the only way to lay this discussion to rest... Otherwise it is like which came first, the chicken or the egg.

    So far we have managed to reproduce two of his more intriguing joints: the Mizu (water)Character Joint used on his writing desk and the Hawks Nail Joint used on a beautiful chest.

    The first thing to remember in trying to reproduce it is that it CAN be done. It was done before, and can be done again, once you figure out the secret.

    I have a few things on the burners now and can't get around to trying that one yet.

    Anyone else up for the challenge?
    “When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin. Audels Carpenters and Builders Guide, 1923 Theo Audel & CO. New York.

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by javali
    The keyhole part must enter the joined face from some side, and there is no entry hole.
    There is another side to think about: If there is a hidden miter involved, then the beveled edge of the miter could hold the entry point and still be completely hidden once it is assembled. Thus, no entry hole to be seen. Think of this as you would biscuits in a miter joint. They are there but once the joint is assembled, there is no visible entry hole. Now, take that concept a step further: Cut a 45 degree miter on two board faces. THen, using those boards with miters pre-cut, cut his key hole fingers.

    ... Er.. Work in progress here. The concept has changed mid paragraph:

    Cut his fingers first, then add the miters between the fingers after finger have been layed out, the entry holes are buried in the miters once the joint is assembled....

    I feel like I'm on the right track here. I will take a small board and try this with a three or four fingers soon, unless someone else beats me to the punch.
    “When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin. Audels Carpenters and Builders Guide, 1923 Theo Audel & CO. New York.

  14. #13
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    Nov 2004
    Location
    Adelaide
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by labolle
    There is another side to think about: If there is a hidden miter involved, then the beveled edge of the miter could hold the entry point and still be completely hidden once it is assembled. Thus, no entry hole to be seen.
    If the only linear movement is used when making the joint, the entry holes will be visible at least on one of the boards, either on the inside or on the outside. The only way I could think of is to slide the boards in at an obtuse angle, and then rotate it to 90 degrees, but than the joint is partly hollow, and I cannot see how to complete the four sides. I am very bad at visualising complex 3d objects, and may be missing something obvious.

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