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[Kevin W]

The Puzzling World of Polyhedral Dissections
By Stewart T. Coffin

Likewise, almost anyone from elementary school student to retiree having access to basic workshop facilities should be able to fabricate many of the puzzles to be described on the following pages.

When I first read this book it inspired me to make some puzzles.  I had no tools and zero know how.  I was sure I would fail.  Somehow I managed to make a few just with hand tools.  I was hooked.

Now I read it again and I see something else this time...

On the other hand, this book is intended to be more than simply a collection of puzzle designs, plans and instructions. This is a puzzle designer's guidebook. Some of the most rewarding recreations are neither in simply solving puzzles nor in making them, but rather in discovering new ideas and crafting them into a form that others may enjoy too. Equally satisfying is to discover surprises long overlooked in traditional puzzles.

One of the puzzle designs included in this book was the inspiration of an eight-year-old, and children younger than that have solved many of them

Puzzle designer!  Now that would really be something.  If you have any advice about the puzzle design process I would love to hear it.  It really seems impossible to me but Stewart Coffin has inspired me once again and there is no turning back now.  

  

[Kevin W]

Idea #1

I like coordinate-motion puzzles and one day I saw this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25EhKdQkdlc

I really liked the idea of a coordinate motion puzzle built as part of a kinetic sculpture.  Has anyone ever done this?  All the coordinate motion puzzles I have seen seem to have 2-6 parts or the parts are grouped together before assembly.  Using a kinetic sculpture to help with the assembly might allow for more complicated puzzle designs not yet attempted.  Plus it seems many of the more complicated puzzles are not solved/taken apart very often.  They just sit around like a decoration.  I find that sad and the idea of putting them in motion in a kinetc sculpture seems perfect somehow.

Unfortunately this is a pretty advanced area and probably beyond my current knowledge and not the best way for me to start my quest to design a puzzle.  It is idea number one however so I throw it out there as food for thought.  If you make one I really want to see it!

[Robert Yarger]

In my experience, every puzzle design appears more intimidating to re-make than it really is, so anyone new to makeing them should not be put off.  As far as designing new ones, you do have the burr-tools program, don't you.  If not, one of these fine fellows will provide you with a download link.  I think most of the really cool puzzles recently have been designed with this, or similar, software programs.   

[FrankPotts]

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

[Eric Fuller]

Funny, I got into making puzzles because I wanted copies for my collection.  Now I hardly collect; I have a fixed space in my living room, and when the shelves get too full I pull a few and throw them on the marketplace. 

I still have certain puzzles I won't part with, but in general I find that once you have the means to make them, there's somehow less ownership satisfaction.  I think it's probably because my fun is in designing when it comes to puzzle boxes, and in the creative process involved in implementing someone else's design. 

Starting with a design say from Ishino's site, there's a lot involved in determining the joinery, wood types, tiny adjustments in dimensions to account for movement, etc.

[Kevin W]

In my experience, every puzzle design appears more intimidating to re-make than it really is, so anyone new to makeing them should not be put off.  As far as designing new ones, you do have the burr-tools program, don't you.  If not, one of these fine fellows will provide you with a download link.  I think most of the really cool puzzles recently have been designed with this, or similar, software programs.   

Hi Robert,

Yes I do have burr tools but not the newest version, till now.  They have really improved it since I last used it.  I used it to help me assemble some of the higher level burrs I made when I first started making puzzles. 

I also have a program called Stella4d.  Here is a link just in case some here have not seen that one yet.

http://www.software3d.com/Downloads.php

Thanks for reminding me of burr tools.  Similar to making puzzles it seems the hardest part of designing puzzles is getting down and doing the work required instead of just thinking about it.   

[Kevin W]

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.

Hi Frank,

This is helpful for several reasons.  The most important to me is that it appears outwardly to be just a 6 piece burr (I googled it up to have a look).  I would never think of trying to design a new 6 piece burr.  I have read that they found them all using a computer and there is a list of the most "interesting ones".  I stop there and think, darn if only I could have been here earlier! lol  Good thing you did not think like that.

To take the form of a 6 piece burr and find a new puzzle mechanism is really impressive to me.  Well done!  Now my mind is turning trying to envision what is inside there seems like that should be the goal of all puzzle designers.

Sly... Movies... I am thinking of Sylvester Stallone... Overthetop... Cliffhanger... Rocky!  Might have to order me one of those. lol

[Kevin W]

Starting with a design say from Ishino's site, there's a lot involved in determining the joinery, wood types, tiny adjustments in dimensions to account for movement, etc.

Hiya Eric,

Here is a link to Ishino's site for those that have not seen it yet.

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~rh5k-isn/Puzzle/index.html.en

I think if I got the quality results you and everyone else on this site seem to achieve when they make puzzles I might really be hooked on puzzle construction.  Often I spend 20 or 30 hours to turn out a simple puzzle and it is average at best.  Even in existing designs I understand what you mean that there is always more room to "design" its method of construction. 

Admit to me that it is hard work though.  You all really make it look too easy.  Making some of these puzzles is easy but making a puzzle that looks and operates like the ones people here make is not easy at all in my opinion.
 

[FrankPotts]

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.

[Eric Fuller]

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. 

[Peter Wiltshire]

All great information here.  Kevin one of my all time favorite coordinate motion puzzles is Vinco's "Flat trick" puzzle.  It always gets the biggest gasp from people when I show it to them, you can see it here http://www.vinco.kleinpeter.cz/index.php?pg=hlavolam&kategorie=37&hlavolam=356  It is not an extremely difficult puzzle, but it is a very impressive design idea, truly amazing to see opening!

[FrankPotts]

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?!

[Robert Yarger]

Frank,

I am impressed by your work and also by the fact that you don't always use burr tools to make them.  I suppose that burr tools will not allow rotational or diagonal movements anyway, so it really is restrictive.  It is nice to see someone else also out there designing things with just the power of the mind and a jovial sense of playing with shapes and having fun.