How to Make a Wooden Ring and Rope Puzzle

 The ring and rope puzzle is a classic. The object is to free the ring. You can make a wooden one using Proxxon MICROMOT tools.

Supplies:

• Scrap wood 5" x 3½" x ¼"—hardwood, plywood, or MDF
• about 30" of cord thin enough that 3 thicknesses can pass easily through one of the corner holes
• 2 beads large enough that they will not pass through the corner holes

Equipment:

Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E

Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E

Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Bench Drill Press TBM 115

Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460

Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E with Flexishaft 110/BF

Instructions:

1. Mount the pattern for the square base and large ring onto the blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank.  The painter's tape makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
2. Cut the square base and exterior of the large ring on the bandsaw.
   
   
   
3. Round the corners of the base on the disc sander.
   
   
   
4. Sand the edges of the ring with the Delta sander.  I have my sander mounted in the Precision Vice FMZ, so that both hands are free.
   
   
   
5. Drill pilot holes for the scroll saw blade in the four corner and center rings of the base.
   
   
   
6. Thread the scroll saw blade through the ring's pilot hole, and cut the shape on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
7. Sand the interior of the large ring and the holes in the base using sanding drums and the flexishaft attached to the professional rotary tool.
   
   
   
8. Now, the puzzle is ready for assembly.

Assembling the Ring and Rope Puzzle:

1. Thread the cord through the base as pictured.
   
   
   
2. Attach beads to the ends of the cord. I used window blind pulls that are hollow and conceal the securing knot.
   
   
   
3. Slide the large ring between the legs of the X formed by the cord.
   
   
   
4. Pull up the lower leg of the X to form a loop.
   
   
   
5. Thread this loop through the lower right hole.
   
   
   
6. Thread the right hand bead through the loop.
   
   
   
7. Tighten the cords.
   
   
   

Solution:

1. Pull up on the bottom cord of the X and form a loop.
   
   
   
2. Thread the loop through the lower right hole, and pass the end of the cord through the loop.
   
   
   
3. The ring is released!!
   
   
   

Enjoy your Ring and Rope Puzzle!!

Carole

Making A Colonial Candle Sconce Using Proxxon Tools

 

Hi friends!  As always, I like to build things for my old colonial farmhouse. I had seen a pair of these candle sconces in a home of a Facebook friend.  Although hers were to large for where I wanted them.  I decided to try and make a similar but smaller version.  Follow along with me and I'll show you how I made them.

Supplies:

   3/4" pine boards  8" wide

   1/2" birch plywood

   Proxxon Micro Bandsaw MBS 115/E

   Proxxon Table Saw FET

   Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E

   Proxxon Cordless Belt Sander BS/A

   Brad nailer and brads

   Wood glue

   Paint

   Glass and mirror

   Drill and drill bit

To begin with I drew my pattern then transferred it to my 8" board. I started cutting it out with the belt sander and finished cutting it with the scroll saw due to some of the tighter cuts that were needed.

When the backboard was cut, I used the belt sander to smooth some of the curved edges and the disc sander to smooth the long sides.

Now to figure how to build the box that the candle will sit in. Using the table saw I set the guard so I could cut perfectly square pieces.  3/4' x 3/4"pine.  I ran long strips of this, as I know I'm going to need a lot.  Then I lowered the blade on the table saw to 1/8".  I ran each strip through cutting a notch. Turned that same strip opposite and ran through again to cut out the notch completely.  This notch will enable the glass to fit in.

Next, I cut my pieces to length according to my pattern using the table saw. I started laying out the pieces of my box. After I was satisfied with my layout I glued and nailed the pieces together.

The next step was making a top and bottom for the box.  Using the table saw I cut out two pieces of the 1/2" birch plywood.  The piece for the top also had to be cut out so when everything is assembled, I could reach my hand in to insert the candle.  I used the band saw to make those cuts and smoothed the edges off with the belt sander. I nailed and glued the top and bottom on the box. I then checked it against the back board but can't attach it yet till the glass gets inserted.

Before I could put everything together, I cut my glass to fit. 

I painted the box and backboard black then put the glass in using a small bead of silicone.  I decided to screw the box to the backboard incase the glass ever got broken it would be easy to open and repair. 

I did end up cutting a piece of mirror for the back.  I just attached it with silicone.  I hope you like watching me build my sconce.  I'm in the process of making a second one now so I have a pair for on my wall.  As always, thanks for following along with me.

Colleen :-)

Easy-Peasy DIY Birdfeeder

 Looks like spring is finally getting here. 😎 Granted, we are still having some crazy weather here and there but I'm starting to see the signs of spring.   Boy am I glad. 

Today, I want to show you how easy it is to make a little birdfeeder out of scraps around the shop.

   Here is a picture of the scraps I chose for this project.  I chose a piece of 3/8" cedar, some 1/2" cedar and a small leftover piece of 1/8" plexiglas  

I made a set of plans for this birdfeeder project that you can use or change the dimensions if you want to.,

First thing we do is to cut out our pieces.   I did this using various Proxxon tools.   I cut the sides and bottom using the Proxxon mini table saw 

I cut the roundish pieces using the Proxxon mini bandsaw.    And I also cut the plexiglas pieces using the Proxxon mini bandsaw at a slower speed so as not to melt the plastic.

Ok, we have our basic pieces.   To make the grooves in which the plexiglas will slide is simple using the Proxxon mini table saw.  First remove the blade cover/splitter.   Next, set the blade at slightly less than half the depth of the side pieces. 

  Then set the fence 1/2" from the blade and run both sides of both side pieces through the blade.  Now move the fence just a hair closer to the blade and run them through again.  Check if the groove is the right size for the plexiglass.  You want it snug but not too tight.   If need be, nudge it just a tiny bit more and run them through.

Now let's put it together and see what we got.

Oh, I forgot on the pattern that I added the small piece on the top.  This helps support the structure and also gives us a place to attach some hinges to the top.  It measures 3 1/2" x 1"

In the picture below I am using the Proxxon mini drill press to drill a hole where I will connect the small handle on the lid.

The Proxxon cordless rotary tool really comes in handy when I drill the holes for the hinges on the backside.

And all wood gets a good sanding using the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

Butt joints are used on the little fence that goes around the bottom of the birdfeeder and secured with good wood glue.

Paint or seal it as you choose.  👀

The supports are glued around the corners of the birdfeeder to the bottom of the feeder.  This will hold the structure.  (If you have some gorilla glue, I would put a dab there)

I painted that little support piece green.  I know it looks bare.  I haven't decided who I'm giving it to yet , but that will be the place for their name or logo or ?

Now that was pretty durn easy, weren't it.  And fun I hope.  I had a good time making it.   

Till next time.  Try something new, have fun and be safe.   

Carol W

Thanks to Proxxon for the tools.  These smaller tools are just the ticket for crafting.