This instructable will show you how to make a great pocket sized puzzle. Great for a gift.
P.s. This was not my idea credit goes to This Site . However the pictures are my own.
P.s. This was not my idea credit goes to This Site . However the pictures are my own.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Materials and tools
To make the Bolt puzzle you will need:
A left-handed bolt (For size, look at the picture) and matching nut.
(By the way you can also use a right-handed bolt if you don't have any left-handed bolts, I have used a right-handed bolt and not had any one guess it thus far. However the puzzle will no doubt work better with a left-handed bolt.)
A split washer (Notice that I split it more, see picture).
Tools:
A file for metal.
A saw for metal.
Pliers.
A welder.
A vise.
Optional:
Drill with wire brush attachment.
A left-handed bolt (For size, look at the picture) and matching nut.
(By the way you can also use a right-handed bolt if you don't have any left-handed bolts, I have used a right-handed bolt and not had any one guess it thus far. However the puzzle will no doubt work better with a left-handed bolt.)
A split washer (Notice that I split it more, see picture).
Tools:
A file for metal.
A saw for metal.
Pliers.
A welder.
A vise.
Optional:
Drill with wire brush attachment.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
I made it with slots that go right over and through the head and a washer that almost makes it possible ( the leading upper edge of the washer and the angle of the slots make the person actually tighten the bolt as they try to get the washer off).
Anyhoo, the results are as follows:
1- 11 Year old girl; solved in 5 minutes.
2- Woman with no real mechanical background; solved in 2 minutes.
3- Male mechanic; gave up after 30 minutes.
4- Another male mechanic; gave up after 20 minutes.
It is very funny watching the disgust they have with themselves as they are told the solution.
and when they do the small piece of the bolt will come off with it
then they can just slide the washer off of the big piece of the bolt
For this to work, you need to use a left hand bold (reverse thread). Otherwise it is quite easy to unscrew instintively.
This seems like a game that only works on people with an IQ under 70. So I would find a way to not have the "prey" be able to open it, and WAY MORE important than that is... you MUST have UNIFORM color on the bolt!! Anyone with an IQ over mentally disabled, will wonder why there are two colors. (And if they think far enough that the WELD discolored it, then why would the other side not also be discolored. I think the JB weld would work the best, since it can be hidden better, and won't discolor the bolt sections)
The site where they took the puzzle from explains it properly, and they were nice enough to quote that orign.
Incidentally this seems just like a reprint of that one - albeit with photos of their own model.
Next time they should read the original more carefully and understand the puzzle...obviously without a left handed bolt this is trivial.
If you tighten the nut so that it is not easily removed (but not enough that you can't undo it) then it'll be fine. the weld also keeps people from trying to remove it (looks like its stuck), JB weld would not have as good as an effect.
A classmate of mine made this. He slanted the notch to make it appear that if you twist the washer just so, and get it in just the right position, it will easily come off. He also made the weld very obvious, so we "knew" that it wouldn't just screw off. In a class full of metallurgists none of us, including the teacher, were able to figure it out. When he simply unscrewed it, we were all thunderstruck. And quite a few of us ran to our welders to make one for ourselves!
Also, for those reading this comment who want to learn welding, check with your local community college! They may have classes, and from what I've found, they've got excellent rates! My community college's credit hours cost less the $40. Also, a very cheap welder will cost you about $100, and you can probably find YouTube videos of someone using that exact welder.
Cool puzzle
If you hand the thing to someone, and they move it around; they'll see the weld !
Grinding it off wont work either !
Instead of a welder, people might be able to use a blowtorch (or something similar to heat up the nut and piece cut from the bolt) and some solder.
Good build and pictures
L
If so, how does "he" know you didn't remove the nut behind your back?
Nice idea, and nice work on the build, but I think it still needs something (but I'm not sure what/how) on the execution... I'll let you know if I think of something.