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

How to Make an Intriguing Crescent to Cross Puzzle with Proxxon Tools

 This crescent-to-cross puzzle is a good project for honing bandsaw and scroll saw skills. 

Supplies and Equipment for the Crescent to Cross Puzzle

• Wood blank large enough to accommodate puzzle pattern
• Crescent to Cross Puzzle Pattern
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Disc Sander TG 125/E

Instructions for Making the Crescent to Cross Puzzle

1. Print the pattern. You can scale the pattern to your desired size within your printing software.
2. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape.
   
   
    
3. 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. 
   
   
   
4. Cut the pattern outline using the bandsaw.
   
   
   
5. Alternatively, use the scroll saw to cut the pattern pieces. Or, use both saws in combination.
   
   
   
6. Sand surfaces with the Delta sander.
   
   
   
7. Finish the pieces as desired. I used FolkArt Home Décor Antique Wax.
   
   
   
8. Now, see if you can solve the puzzle.
   

Carole

How to Make a Lock Puzzle

 If you like puzzles, this Lock Puzzle is just for you. It's a great project to make with Proxxon tools.

Here are the supplies and equipment you'll need:

• 4" x 5" x ¼" piece of wood for puzzle pieces
• 4" x 3½" x ¼" piece of wood for base
• 4" x 3½" piece of plexiglass
• 4 small brass screws
• Key and chain (optional)
• Wood glue
• Lock Puzzle Template
• FolkArt Outdoor acrylic paint (optional)
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115

Let make the Lock Puzzle:

1. Mount the pattern for the puzzle pieces on blank. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. The painter's tape makes removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank.
   
   
   
2. Cut the outer dimensions on the bandsaw.
   
   
   
3. Drill a pilot hole for the scroll saw blade. Cut the interiors on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
4. Add directional marks on the backs of the puzzle tiles to facilitate accurate assemble.
   
   
   
5. Using the drill press, drill the marked holes in the tiles. Use a piece of waste wood under the tile to avoid tear-out. secure the waste wood and tile against the adjustable fence.
   
   
   
6. Follow Step 1 to mount the pattern on the plexiglass.
7. Cut the exterior of the plexiglass on the bandsaw. Drill a pilot hole in the plexiglass to accommodate the scroll saw blade. Place a piece of waste wood under the plexiglass for a cleaner hole. Cut the interiors on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
8. Cut the base on the bandsaw. Optionally, the base can be painted with acrylic paints.
9. Glue the grid for the tiles and the base together. Let dry thoroughly.
   
   
   
10. Insert the puzzle tiles in the grid/base. Add plexiglass on top. Securely tape the edges with painter's tape. Measure, mark, and drill holes in each corner for brass screws. Screw the layers together.
    
    
    
11. Now, solve the puzzle to open the lock. When you give up, you can find the Lock Puzzle Solution here.
    

Carole

How to Make a Tangram Puzzles

 A tangram is an ancient Chinese puzzle that has seven geometric-shaped pieces: two large triangles, two small triangles, one square, one medium triangle, and one parallelogram. These pieces are called tans, and together form patterns and shapes. The puzzle is presented as an outline and the task is to replicate it using all seven tans with no tan overlapping another. There are many online sites that offer tangram puzzles.

You can easily make your own tangram using Proxxon tools.

Supplies:

• Square piece wood
• Tangram pattern
• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E

Instruction:

1. Cover one side of the blank with painter's tape. The painter's tape made removal of the pattern easy without leaving any sticky residue.
   
   
   
2. Mist the back side of the pattern with spray adhesive, and mount on the taped blank. 
   
   
   
3. Cut pieces on the bandsaw.
   
   
   
4. Alternatively, cut the pieces on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
5. Sand any rough edges with the Delta sander.
   
   
   
6. Apply  your choice of finishes. On the birch plywood tangram I used FolkArt Ultra Dyes. I finished the walnut hardwood tangram paste wax and buffed with the Delta sander. I created my own buffing pad by tracing the shape of the sander head onto a piece to upholstery velvet. The hooks on the head grab the fabric in the same way they do the felted side of the sanding discs.
   
   
   
7. Enjoy!!

   

Carole

Make a Wooden Knot Puzzle

 Make this wooden knot puzzle with Proxxon tools, then challenge friends to unknot and reassemble the puzzle.

Supplies and Equipment

• Block of ¾" hardwood to accommodate the three puzzle pieces
• Wooden Knot Puzzle Pattern
• Proxxon MICRO Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Bench Drill Press TBM 115
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E

Instructions

1. Mount the pattern pieces on hardwood 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 shapes using the bandsaw.
   
   
   
3. Use the bench drill press to drill a pilot hole for the scroll saw blade. (See this post about a scroll saw blade hack.)
   
   
   
4. Cut the interior on the scroll saw.
   
   
   
5. Sand the edges on the disc sander.
   
   
   
6. Finish with wood oil or paste wax.

Oh, by the way—here's the solution!! :)

Carole