I have a couple of ideas for a puzzle, but I need some wooden gears - anyone out there an expert at making them?

I remember the Stickman box that had some - so there must be at least one expert 

The green lobby is trying to stop us using battery electricity as it is cruel. You should be using free range electricity, and only that fed on organically grown currants.

 

Admit to me that it is hard work though.

Sure is.  Took me several years to get acceptable at it; someday I may even be great at it!  I'm still improving with every project.  Having decent tools now makes a big difference. 

Is that a good workman blaming his tools?!

Hi Kevin,

Bill Cutler analysed all the 6 piece burrs using sticks. I like to try and look at things from a different angle, so that they are not what they appear. So the 6 pieces may not be the shape that you would initially expect - but that just adds to the fun !

You are along the right lines with the Sly burr clue, but I won't say any more here...

One other thing I have learnt is that any puzzle seems easy when you know how it is done, so if you come up with an idea that seems very simple - don't dismiss it. Give it to someone to try, and just as important, watch them without giving any clues to how to solve it.

Congrats on solving Danlock B.

Danlock A is 95% the same as B, before the extra moves kick in. So unless you want to complete a set then probably not worth getting.

Frank

I use burr tools a lot - but have started designing puzzles with the aim that they cannot be solved using burr tools. My exchange puzzle for IPP this year is one such puzzle (Eric is making it and will have some to sell after IPP).

I find playing with as many puzzles as possible helps the design process. In trying to solve a puzzle I usually come up with a couple of different ways that I would have made it. Another good idea is to watch people solving puzzles. See what they try, how they hold the puzzle etc. This lead me to design the Sly Burr, and if you have it you will hopefully see what I mean from the first move.

Thirdly is what I call 'divine inspiration' an idea will come to you whilst looking at everyday object (yes I am obsessed!!), and how you can use the object in a puzzle.

Burr tools can be found here;

http://burrtools.sourceforge.net/

I like the idea of a kinetic sculpture - you should pursue that one

I think the exchange rate is linked to IPP. A strong dollar when I am buying dollars

I bought both versions, and the second one has a couple of extra moves. The first one is hard enough !!

http://pbskids.org/noddy/characters-bigears.html

Maybe a pommie thing?

I am going to a woodworking show this weekend in London, and as part of this they have drag racing using hand held power tools!!

http://www.myhobbystore.com/4365/Tickets-Adult-Advanced-Ticket-International-Woodworking-Exhibition--IWEX-.html

I will try and take some video to share with you as I know Eric likes racing things!

Frank

Why do elephants have big ears?







Because Noddy won't pay the ransom!

No they are on 3rd base

I have one of his puzzles, and they are as good as they look!

Frank

I thought it was magic from Prague