I looked at my chronometer and asked it “what time it was”…
it’s answer was paraphrased to, “Its’s a short PZL time... ready for publishing!”… may the gods forgive me… and me myself (for this brevity).
This puzzle was made quite a while back… not as far back as when I skipped Sunday school, but back enough when I had (and still have) issues about mitre cuts for puzzle boxes made out of solids/MDF without the use of my laser.
The way I try to design solids is to generate a 1:1 ratio base cutting template and extend appropriate dimensions by the thickness of the stock being used… an example from another puzzle measuring 50mm x 50mm,
which is then usually cut on my mitre saw or the Micro-Mark tablesaw, with clean lines/edges and butt joined using CA glue.
When mitre joins get involved I laser cut using 6mm finger joins which generally creates protruding fingers
(different puzzle), with the excess (6mm – timber thickness) are subsequently sanded off using my upside down belt sander
(different puzzle). I find this method easier than designing the laser cuts to the exact thickness of the timber being used. The same cut lines can be applied to stock anywhere between 3-6mm… except for this particular puzzle as it had some contradictory/difficult internal joins,
and I couldn’t (have trouble to) get at some of the “internal protrusions” to easily sand off (if finger joined)… hmmm, maybe with my relatively new NeoBlade,
it might be achievable... or just wait for my NeoSander, which at the moment is being prepared for shipment.
Consequently, I limited my production for this puzzle to laser cut MDF as the thickness is controlled and I don’t need to manipulate the extra internal lengths.
Don’t get sucked in, the darker box is stained and not from my sunburnt MDF forest.
The puzzle consists of the box and 8 different shaped pieces (gallery picture #2).
I must have been on one of my sabbaticals at the time of production as I didn’t make any progress pictures and the ones in the gallery have just been snapped and developed.
Only two made and both out of MDF… it’s a shame as it had one of the more interesting solutions… not so much the degree of difficulty, but as it was so open, you could actually see what was happening inside.
Having designed it in SketchUp, this was the start of the laser path,
I have no idea why I created the following packaging instructions
as I haven’t made any to give away.
Nevertheless, for anyone interested, the 3DW model
I create my laser jobs in CorelDraw, however, for anyone interested I can make the CorelDrawCDR file available… it can be read/processed by freebie Inkscape to create SVG files to be processed by laser programs like Lightburn.
For any 3D printer enthusiast, I could make the STL files available on request… just tell me how you’d like them presented.
If interested in any of mine (LBD), measurements can be made available on request for anyone not familiar with SketchUp… though a working knowledge of SketchUp’s navigation (as opposed to its design/use features) and access to 3DW could be of benefit.
All the solutions to my puzzles can be found at this link... *** Measurements and further details can be provided on request. ***
Kids love ‘em and most of us are still kids. Thanks for looking...
Don’t be crafty Craftisians,... SHARE your craft!
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
They all seem similar and one's gotta be a buff to appreciate the difference, however, I do agree that this is one of the better looking ones... even out of MDF.
However, I think some of the boxes do look reasonable when made out of these cookies,
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Gotta agree with Pottzy that this is one of the better looking puzzle. Also like the different shapes that don't depend on (at least minimal) "in box manipulation", making it more user "friendly".
I might just try to backtrack this and see what damage I can do with the laser as I'd love to have a "solids" version and those mitre cuts would be murder trying to cater for the fingers with conventional tools... and I can't try my scrolling skills. Maybe staged glue up could be the solution.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
No, I don't sell them. Like my pens... when I lived in Melbourne, my daughter used to sell my pens for a generous profit... I'm no salesman and I have morals about fair prices (not trying to besmirch her). Would have made a fortune back then (same sales outlet) as some sell for over $100... then I moved to Churchill and the sales fell through (long story).
They are now just made to give away as presents to friends and freebies to bribe professional people, like doctors and solicitors.
I enjoy the challenge of reverse engineering them in SketchUp, off pictures and videos I see on the internet... then I have to make them to see if they work.
For anyone interested, I'm more than happy to share what I have on any/all of them. Waiting to get off my rrrs to fire up my new 3D printer and try to churn out a few in plastic.... also the boxes may be a good vehicle to activate my idle Shaper Origin... bloody time... or at least, lack of it.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Yep, that's the Fritz Flop. And yes I felt the glue up was solid. I think I used a chamfer bit in the router table for the bevels. That photo I of the one in pottz's possession now.
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