| Project by puzzled | posted 226 days ago | 863 views | 5 times favorited | 18 comments |  |
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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.
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18 comments so far
rpmurphy509
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285 posts in 289 days
posted 226 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
GaryK
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8392 posts in 423 days
posted 226 days ago
Pretty cool!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
cpt_hammer
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69 posts in 247 days
posted 226 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?
TreeBones
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1378 posts in 458 days
posted 226 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
Tomcat1066
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556 posts in 230 days
posted 226 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!
rikkor
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7015 posts in 309 days
posted 226 days ago
Nice. That’s a pretty complex undertaking. Well done.
-- Maplewood, MN
RobS
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1070 posts in 741 days
posted 226 days ago
Incredible project, impressive accomplishment, thanks for sharing.
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
cheller
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225 posts in 544 days
posted 226 days ago
Nice work.
-- Chelle http://artsgranddaughter.blogspot.com
John Minnick
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2 posts in 455 days
posted 226 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.
Napaman
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1536 posts in 512 days
posted 225 days ago
wow…very creative!!!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...SING WITH ME: Ugh...August has arrived...
Nick Rowlett
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21 posts in 229 days
posted 225 days ago
whoa that’s fantastic, great idea
-- Nick - Indianapolis, IN
lclashley
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228 posts in 549 days
posted 225 days ago
This is one of the coolest projects I’ve seen! I’d love to see how it’s made.
CharlieM1958
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3899 posts in 653 days
posted 225 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"
Dadoo
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1479 posts in 425 days
posted 225 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!
MsDebbieP
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11437 posts in 595 days
posted 225 days ago
sweet….
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
miles125
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895 posts in 440 days
posted 225 days ago
That is very cool.
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""
cobbler
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61 posts in 225 days
posted 225 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''
Allens
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6 posts in 37 days
posted 37 days ago
Cool! idea. I love these kind of puzzles as well.
-- Paul @ Kathy Allen