Puzzle Box by bitmask

Description

This is a puzzle box that you can cut on a laser cutter and assemble with no additional parts.

The panels on the cube faces move, and if you move them in the correct sequence, you will open the box!

This is an adaption of Bruce Viney's "Cubey 2" for the laser cutter. His original plans (requiring traditional woodworking tools) are here: homepage.ntlworld.com/bruce.viney/plans.html

Instructions

The svg files have been created in inkscape; you may wish to use the eps files instead.

Print eighthinch.svg on eighth inch wood -- these parts make up the inner mechanism and the external panels.

Print quarterinch.svg on quarter inch wood -- these parts make up the outside of the cube and the sliders that slot into each face and connect the outer panels to the inner mechanism.

The images that show the puzzle unfolded and partially assembled are a useful reference for orientation of each of the sides and positioning of the inner pieces with respect to the outer cube faces.

See homepage.ntlworld.com/bruce.viney/Cubey%202%20T-Plans.pdf for detailed instructions on how to assemble the parts.

Some tips:

The images showing the partial assembly may be helpful.

Sand the faces down before assembling the box. This gets rid of the stickiness that's left over from the laser cutting and makes the wood look nicer.

Test the box before gluing it together.

Don't press the faces of the cube together too tightly when gluing the box together. Glue the sides together with the panels moved over the finger joints to ensure that the box will be openable.