Snowman Wooden Nickel 3-D Puzzle

Here is a fun holiday puzzle that is quick, easy and inexpensive to make. The pattern (included) can be edited to work with most any size laser. They sell well at craft fairs and you can actually make money selling then for a nickel.

Step 1: Cut Pieces

Each nickel is 1" in diameter The pattern has an array of 15 x 15 nickels. These can be cut on a piece of 1/8" 16" x 16" MDF. What is nice is that it is a good project to use your pieces of scrap. A good rule of thump is that, for each dimension, you can fit one less nickel than the length in inches. My piece is 7½" by 11". By the rule of thumb I can fit 6 by 10 nickels on it. Load the pattern (Included SVG) and edit it for the number of nickel to cut. Now cut them.

Step 2: Sand (Optional)

You can see the flash on the back of the nickel is kinda nasty. So I sand the backs on a sheet of sandpaper. Now I like the patina on the front so I don't touch it. You may different and want to sand both sides, or neither sides. It takes me about 5 seconds a side to each side. 

Step 3: Assemble

Each of the two piece are held in nickel by a two small tabs. Use a pen or key or screwdriver and push out each piece and break the tabs. Then stick the small one into the big one. You are done.