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"Puzzle Book"

Project by puzzled posted 685 days ago 784 views 4 times favorited 23 comments Add to Favorites Watch

In the quest to build more complex puzzles, I took on another project. This project was a Christmas present for my dad. I put together the ideas of a “book safe” and a puzzle. It is built from African Padauk, African Mahogany, and Brazilian Yellow Heart. This has to be the hardest thing I have ever built, again b/c I didn’t have any plans to go by (all out of my head) and each piece had to be so precise.
The book contains a maze, in which a 3/8” wood ball roles around. At each end of the maze is a 1/2” wooden rod that is 3/8” to short to unlock the lock. The locks have to be unlocked in order, b/c there is only one ball and two locks. You cannot see the maze and there is nothing that tells you what lock to try first. You can hear the ball rolling around, but there are dead ends that make you think you have the ball in the correct place, when actually its not. Once both locks have been unlocked, two spring loaded pins will open the lid, revealing the compartment inside. If you are thinking, just take the hinge off and open the lid….well I planned for that also. The pins that open the lid rest inside the lid when it is closed, so you will have to break the book to get it open, unless you know the correct moves…(I know from experience)
These pictures were taken before the decorative lines were put on the spine. The lines really make it look like a book. I hope to get new pictures of the book soon.

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


23 comments so far

View TreeBones's profile

TreeBones

1557 posts in 918 days


posted 685 days ago

Awesome! You have a great talent, I don’t think I could ever do this kind of work from my head and no plans. 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 GaryK's profile

GaryK

9530 posts in 883 days


posted 685 days ago

Very inique. Nice job

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

View Russel's profile

Russel

2058 posts in 834 days


posted 685 days ago

Holy Cow. Without the puzzle it’s quite attractive, but the whole maze and lock aspect makes it remarkable. Though I’m guessing this is not something to use if you want to open it in a hurry.

-- Working at Woodworking www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

View Critterman's profile

Critterman

546 posts in 705 days


posted 685 days ago

Very cool!

-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA

View rpmurphy509's profile

rpmurphy509

290 posts in 749 days


posted 685 days ago

Very interesting project.
I’m already looking forward to more of your puzzles, and uniques designs.

-- Still learning everything

View Joe Lyddon's profile

Joe Lyddon

485 posts in 947 days


posted 685 days ago

COOL!!

That took a little study…

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

View motthunter's profile

motthunter

2079 posts in 694 days


posted 685 days ago

great work. attention to details too

-- making sawdust....

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 769 days


posted 685 days ago

Man alive! that’s some complexity. Do you read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1056 days


posted 685 days ago

first picture: beautiful “book” “box”..
and then the evil workings within!! yikes.
Impressive

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

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

781 posts in 796 days


posted 685 days ago

Lucky dad to receive a present like that! You have one heck of a mind, Puzzled. I’m looking forward to future postings!

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

View daltxguy's profile

daltxguy

560 posts in 809 days


posted 685 days ago

This is evilly clever! Fine piece of woodworking, too

-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com

View ErsatzTom's profile

ErsatzTom

103 posts in 701 days


posted 685 days ago

Very cool!

-- Tom, Southwest Florida

View Dominic Vanacora's profile

Dominic Vanacora

504 posts in 764 days


posted 685 days ago

Great Idea and Great Creativety. It always looks easy when you look back but not this time.

-- Dominic, Trinity, Florida...Lets be safe out there.

View John Gray's profile

John Gray

1753 posts in 780 days


posted 685 days ago

The coolest puzzle!!!!

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1675 posts in 985 days


posted 685 days ago

Very cool. I would love to see a video of it in action. Any chance?

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

View Karson's profile

Karson

25801 posts in 1295 days


posted 685 days ago

Yah, don’t put the key to the bathroom inside.

A great project. Bring on more and show us the detailed constructions on something that you don’t mind if you give away

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View Dadoo's profile

Dadoo

1723 posts in 885 days


posted 685 days ago

How neat! I love it!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

View miles125's profile

miles125

1425 posts in 901 days


posted 684 days ago

That looks fun to make..Great job!

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

View Chris 's profile

Chris

1469 posts in 886 days


posted 684 days ago

Amazing Work Trey! How long did it actually take from concept to reality?

-- Chris

View puzzled's profile

puzzled

68 posts in 687 days


posted 683 days ago

Thanks for all the great comments. From concept to reality, I have roughly about 300 hours in it, but most of that was waiting for glue to dry.

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

View DrSawdust's profile

DrSawdust

231 posts in 993 days


posted 682 days ago

That is amazing. Please tell me you can “show” us how to do that? I would love to make something like that for my family. That is truly an amazing piece of work.

-- Making sawdust is what I do best

View Jiri Parkman's profile

Jiri Parkman

603 posts in 708 days


posted 639 days ago

Original design. Good job.

-- Jiri

View cobbler's profile

cobbler

242 posts in 685 days


posted 461 days ago

TREY, THANKS FOR THE BOOK. I REALLY ENJOY LOOKING AT IT SITTING
ON MY BOOK SHELF. I JUST WISH I COULD GET IN IT.
IT IS SOMETHING I`LL CHERISH FOR A LIFE TIME.

-- ''Carry on my wayward son''

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