This Christmas, my siblings and I decided to set a price limit of $10 for our gifts for each other, since most of us are unemployed students. My plan was to build everyone a little something. This instructable covers the first of my gifts: a wooden version of the puzzle Rush Hour�, by ThinkFun Inc.
The objective of this puzzle is to help the red car get out of the traffic jam by moving the surrounding vehicles out of the way. The vehicles can only move forward and backwards. Cards are required to know the initial placement of the vehicles. Normally, when you purchase the game, it comes with a set of cards. You may also buy "expansion packs", which are simply sets of cards with different puzzles. For this project, you will need one of these expansion packs.
An online version of the game can be found here if you are not familiar with it: Car Game
In the end, I went about $0.50 over budget, but I don't think anyone will mind. The final product can be seen in the image below. The red car is the one you have to help escape from the traffic jam. The blocks have a slot down the centre that allow them to only move in one direction: up/down or left/right.
The objective of this puzzle is to help the red car get out of the traffic jam by moving the surrounding vehicles out of the way. The vehicles can only move forward and backwards. Cards are required to know the initial placement of the vehicles. Normally, when you purchase the game, it comes with a set of cards. You may also buy "expansion packs", which are simply sets of cards with different puzzles. For this project, you will need one of these expansion packs.
An online version of the game can be found here if you are not familiar with it: Car Game
In the end, I went about $0.50 over budget, but I don't think anyone will mind. The final product can be seen in the image below. The red car is the one you have to help escape from the traffic jam. The blocks have a slot down the centre that allow them to only move in one direction: up/down or left/right.
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Signing UpStep 1: Getting the Tools/Materials
Here is a list of all the tools and supplies you will need throughout this project.
Tools:
-Hammer
-Flat File (hand tool)
-Miter Saw (electric or otherwise)
-Flat Head Screwdriver/Chisel
-Hand-held Rotary Tool (with cutting discs)
-Clamps
-Small Paintbrush
-Ruler
-Cutting Knife (Pen Style X-acto Blade)
-PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR!
Supplies:
-Wood: 12' of 1/2" x 1/2" (wood for board)
-Wood: 4' of 3/4" x 7/8" (wood for vehicles)
-Wood: 3' of 1" border/edging (anything that looks nice will work) (wood for border)
-Wood Glue
-Small Nails (8)
-Wood Filler/Plastic Wood
-Deck of RushHour Cards
-Sandpaper
-Paint (various colours)
-Varnish
NOTE 1: The 3/4" x 7/8" piece of wood I used was from a scrap pile. I don't think that this is a standard size that is available, but a 1" x 1" piece can be bought and sanded down a bit so that the pieces fit properly on the board.
NOTE 2: The lengths of wood above do not account for mistakes you may make throughout construction. I suggest you have a little extra on hand since mistakes are bound to happen.
NOTE 3: Whenever you use any of the electric tools, please be sure to wear eye protection. The electric miter saw often sends pieces of wood flying, especially when cutting smaller pieces. The cutting discs for the rotary tool can also break and send shards flying.
Tools:
-Hammer
-Flat File (hand tool)
-Miter Saw (electric or otherwise)
-Flat Head Screwdriver/Chisel
-Hand-held Rotary Tool (with cutting discs)
-Clamps
-Small Paintbrush
-Ruler
-Cutting Knife (Pen Style X-acto Blade)
-PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR!
Supplies:
-Wood: 12' of 1/2" x 1/2" (wood for board)
-Wood: 4' of 3/4" x 7/8" (wood for vehicles)
-Wood: 3' of 1" border/edging (anything that looks nice will work) (wood for border)
-Wood Glue
-Small Nails (8)
-Wood Filler/Plastic Wood
-Deck of RushHour Cards
-Sandpaper
-Paint (various colours)
-Varnish
NOTE 1: The 3/4" x 7/8" piece of wood I used was from a scrap pile. I don't think that this is a standard size that is available, but a 1" x 1" piece can be bought and sanded down a bit so that the pieces fit properly on the board.
NOTE 2: The lengths of wood above do not account for mistakes you may make throughout construction. I suggest you have a little extra on hand since mistakes are bound to happen.
NOTE 3: Whenever you use any of the electric tools, please be sure to wear eye protection. The electric miter saw often sends pieces of wood flying, especially when cutting smaller pieces. The cutting discs for the rotary tool can also break and send shards flying.
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Nice toy :)