LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Pen Press/Drilling Jig  |  Makita Makita Recon LCT203W 10.8 Volt Lithium Ion Impact Driver 2 Pc Kit

Cryptex

Project by puzzled posted 687 days ago 2909 views 6 times favorited 18 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This was the gift I gave my Dad this past year for Father’s Day. I have a fascination for mechanical puzzles and locking devices and after watching two movies, The Illusionist and the Da Vinci Code, I decided to build a puzzle. I got the idea from a picture I saw on the internet, http://www.encryptagifts.com/encrypta_side_view.jpg. The first one I built was a present to my Mom for Mother’s Day and after my Dad saw my Mom’s he just had to have one. These two puzzles were my first and second wood projects ever, not to mention I am working out of an apartment, so I was pleased with the way this one turned out. It is made from Cherry, inlayed with African mahogany and has brass hardware.

To open the cryptex, you have to line up a 6 characters vertically between the two brass studs. Once the combination is correct, only 13,060,694,016 different combinations, the inner tube will pull out revealing nothing. Next the top locator pin has to be removed, which will allow the top to unscrew, revealing a hollow tube to put things in. When I gave it as a gift I put a wooden bar, inside the tube, that had 8 very strong magnets strategically imbedded in it. One piece of inlay has a metal back and is held in place by 2 magnets. When the wooden bar is placed correctly on that piece of inlay it will release, revealing a hidden compartment in the base plate. Without the correct combination or breaking the cryptex, it is next to impossible to open and without the wooden bar or a very very strong magnet, the secrete compartment will not open.
Sorry for the poor picture quality.

-- -- Remember, a chip on the shoulder is a sure sign of a woodturner.


18 comments so far

View rpmurphy509's profile

rpmurphy509

290 posts in 750 days


posted 687 days ago

Very interesting project. Puzzles have always fascinated me, specially the puzzle boxes.
Have never seen one quit like yours though, thank you for sharing it with us.

-- Still learning everything

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9533 posts in 884 days


posted 687 days ago

Pretty cool!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View cpt_hammer's profile

cpt_hammer

129 posts in 708 days


posted 687 days ago

I was just thinking about building something very similar. Would you happen to have more detailed plans on how this works? Also, have you thought of a way to hide the brass rod ends so that it looks like you can’t take it apart?

View TreeBones's profile

TreeBones

1557 posts in 919 days


posted 687 days ago

Very cool, this could be on one of the recent treasure movies. well done.

-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3 http://www.portablesawmill.biz/concrete/

View Tomcat1066's profile

Tomcat1066

776 posts in 692 days


posted 687 days ago

OK. That’s just plain cool. I might have to build one of those someday!

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 770 days


posted 687 days ago

Nice. That’s a pretty complex undertaking. Well done.

View RobS's profile

RobS

1243 posts in 1202 days


posted 687 days ago

Incredible project, impressive accomplishment, thanks for sharing.

-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX

View cheller's profile

cheller

249 posts in 1005 days


posted 687 days ago

View John Minnick's profile

John Minnick

3 posts in 916 days


posted 687 days ago

Amazing work. Good to see a very creative project coming from somebody that lives in the Hill. I grew up there and went to RHHS.

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

3488 posts in 973 days


posted 687 days ago

wow…very creative!!!

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

View Nick Rowlett's profile

Nick Rowlett

25 posts in 690 days


posted 687 days ago

whoa that’s fantastic, great idea

-- Nick - Indianapolis, IN

View lclashley's profile

lclashley

243 posts in 1010 days


posted 687 days ago

This is one of the coolest projects I’ve seen! I’d love to see how it’s made.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7654 posts in 1114 days


posted 687 days ago

That’s fantastic!

Of course, even though there are 13 billion possible combinations, all us Lumberjocks now know the combination is “KANSAS”. <g>

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View Dadoo's profile

Dadoo

1723 posts in 886 days


posted 687 days ago

Where did you come up with the plans? Bet your dad just loves it too.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14160 posts in 1057 days


posted 687 days ago

sweet….

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View miles125's profile

miles125

1425 posts in 902 days


posted 687 days ago

That is very cool.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

View cobbler's profile

cobbler

242 posts in 686 days


posted 686 days ago

I have the CRYPTEX here on my desk at work.
I really enjoy showing it off. Puzzled really did a nice
job.
Proud parent

-- ''Carry on my wayward son''

View Allens's profile

Allens

11 posts in 499 days


posted 498 days ago

Cool! idea. I love these kind of puzzles as well.

-- Paul & Kathy Allen

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase