It can be challenging when making puzzle boxes as there always seems to be more that you can add if there is still a lot of space inside the box. Here are two simple methods that can be used in a variety of ways. Here, on the left end of the Push Button Combination box I added a Brass Rod that easily slips one way or another, well, unless the Brass Rod is not aligned with the notch in the dial assembly poking through the back. I could have weighted this dial and dropped the knob on the outside, but that might have been too much that is hidden with no clues. By adding the Knob on the outside it definitely makes it easier to see that there is a step here. The role of the Brass Rod here is to block the Drawer from opening on the Left Side. At the right end, I used a simple Gravity Pin, but made to suit this particular situation of blocking the drawer from coming out. There is a small Pin and block that allows the Gravity Pin to rotate. By turning the box upside down and tapping, it will release. Getting the just right setting takes a bit on adjustment during final assembly. Pushing the magnet deeper into its setting can help make it not too strong. I used 5/32" here, probably would have been fine with an 1/8" magnet. Knowing what direction to go and what directions to not go is also a well served lesson. Enjoy the shop time!

I love the building blocks that make up the game :-)

Over time we all find what works for us. For me, puzzle making represented a different way to produce and finish puzzles. Often times parts are pre-finished before permanent assembly, so having a bit of a convenient set up helps us flow with the process. What does your set up look like?

In my younger days I had an experience working with some guys that were looking to document how Industrial scale wood recycling would work. We wrote the book on the process, but never got it off the ground. But I did learn something, lots actually. I learned the value of keeping and sorting offcuts in the shop. Exotic wood is pricy enough let alone just tossing off cuts into the landfill. I use a ton of Dollar Store plastic bins to sort and keep short bits to longer lengths. I cannot tell you enough how many projects can be made if you have a good supply. There is often situations I need only a small, or thin piece, to have to create them from huge rough lumber is not favourable. Also, often times I make extra parts for quality sake and never end up using them. For fun I create a Puzzle design every so often that uses just left over puzzle parts and I call it a Snakenstein, lol. Most importantly, have fun with the process. Do you have a process that is working for you?

Today the wood taught me how to make a hinged flange locking system. Essentially, the dowel runs through a core piece of material that is glued down and allows the dowel to rotate within. Now, you can create a hinge with this, or making it part of a locking system. I keep material on hand that is the same thickness as the kerf cut from my tiny table saw. Imagine the possibilities... This type of mechanism would require the input from another dial that uses a cam so that it opens and closes the hinged flange consistently when under under spring pressure. Cutting the dado into the dowel can be tricky and dangerous without a jig. I took some 1/4" material (about and inch wide) and glued down some tabs on top of them so that the gap remains consistent and tight. You can do this for any sized dowel. At the bottom end of the dado, I glued on an end piece on so that it would always hold the dowel in place. On the top of the middle tab, I drilled for a tiny pointy screw. This pokes into the dowel just enough to keep it from wanting to roll within the dado when being cut. I like the screw because it can be set exactly where you want it. All there is to do now is rip a few pieces up for stock and see how you can use it. I will likely make this a more complete module in the near future. Good luck.