Mystery Box

This mystery box is a wooden cube with no apparent way of opening it. On one side there is clearly a square cut into it, but there is no latch, no knob, and no keyhole to try and open it with. 

Mystery boxes, how do they freakin' work?

Step 1: Supplies

Here's what you need to make this
 - 1/4" plywood
 - Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue
 - magnetic childproofing lock
 - black spray paint (optional)
 - laser cutter (optional)
 - wood saws (optional)
 - clamps
 - drill press

For this project, I made all the cuts with a laser cutter. This made the interlocking edges a lot easier to pull off, but those edges are completely optional. Make the box any way you want and decorate it any way you want. The big trick is with the magnetic locks.

Comments

[Lt.Greg]

I was at a gun show in Florida last year, and there was a fellow who took household items (usually your own furniture,but he also built items as well) and turned them into covert gun storage lockers for all around your house. He also used this same concept of the hidden magnetic latch, and often combined it with spring-loaded doors and drawers, etc. He did excellent work, and his seams were nearly impossible to detect. Great concept.

[fungus amungus]

Ooh, secret compartments would be a lot of fun to get into.

[myxpykalix]

I'm always fascinated by "mystery" ways to open stuff, good instructable however right above "step3" you say the "files are below" only I don't see them anywhere and can you post a source for the magnetic lock? I've never seen one of those before. Good job....thanks

[fungus amungus]

I also added a link to the specific lock I used. I'll put it here as well, though:
http://www.amazon.com/Dreambaby-Mag-Lock-Locks-White/dp/B005670KMK/

[fungus amungus]

Fixed

[Omnipharious]

I usually discourage any instructable "sponsored" or "brought to you" by any companies, but at least it is a genuinely good idea, presented in a nice way, not like that terrible marketing scam of a "zombie survival kit" that got featured a few months ago.

[fungus amungus]

Yes, I completely understand. Whenever we've worked with companies for any sponsored content we always always always want to make content that we are excited about as well.

[camirrakiu]

awesome images. r u alchemist or, maybe fm? or you just find them 'cool'? gr33tings!

[fungus amungus]

fm? The labyrinth one means a lot to me. Makes a lot more sense when you can walk along one. Others are part aesthetic, part relating to my own history.

[captnkrunch]

where exactly are the files?

[fungus amungus]

Fixed

[jimbom]

Looks like the laser cut files might be missing from this instructable.

[fungus amungus]

Fixed

[canucksgirl]

Awesome job! I love the concept and how it turned out. The video was great too in explaining how it all works.

Thanks for sharing. :)

[fungus amungus]

Thanks, although the magnet latch idea was all randofo's

[canucksgirl]

Well then, I retract my entire comment... (kidding). :P

[jessyratfink]

Love this! The designs on the box make me think of Lost. Bonus points for that. :D

[fungus amungus]

Yeah, Lost did play a lot with iconography. I miss that show sometimes.