Wood Dowel Puzzle

by mtairymd

26K33539

Intro: Wood Dowel Puzzle

There are eight dowel segments that you must fit into a box. You should be able to get seven pieces in with ease. What about the last piece?

This very simple project was built from scrap wood (minimal cost) and it took about an hour. I tested the puzzle on my two teenage children and both gave up after 5 minutes so I would say it’s slightly challenging.

I understand the originator of this logic puzzle was Tesa Timonen of Sweden in 2002. I reversed engineered this version from online pictures.

STEP 1: Tools/Materials

Tools:

  • Saw (table, miter, band or hand)
  • Sander
  • Wood Clamps

Materials:

  • Wood - 5.5” x 3” x .5” thick
  • Wood - 1.5” x 19” x .5” thick
  • Dowel – 1” diameter x 20” Long
  • Glue

STEP 2: Drawing

You will be building to the drawing. Yep, I just gave away the solution.

STEP 3: Base

Cut wood for the base as shown.

STEP 4: Sides

Cut 2 long and 2 short sides as shown.

STEP 5: Box

Use glue to attach the sides to the base. Apply pressure with wood clamps. Remove excess glue and sand as necessary.

STEP 6: Dowel Segments

Set your table, miter or band saw to a 30 degree angle. Cut 1” dowels to the lengths shown.

STEP 7: Finished Build

Stain or paint as desired.

STEP 8: Walnut Stain

STEP 9: Try to Solve - First Attempt

STEP 10: Try to Solve - Second Attempt

STEP 11: 5 Minutes Later...

Well, actually my kids gave up and went to play on their phones. So, I'm taking this to work on Monday.

STEP 12: Solution in Pictures

If you plan to build this for someone, you might want to print solution instructions to go with the puzzle.

Hope you enjoyed the project!

STEP 13: ​References:

Only two references I could find online:

https://www.siammandalay.com/collections/wooden-pu...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/114920760/log-jam-woo...

STEP 14: Advanced Version

See HERE for advanced version.

16 Comments

JaredM34 1 year ago

Made one now everyone in my family seems to want one🙄. Anyways my tip is to tape 3x dowels together securely-cut angle on all 3 at the same time then trim to the length of the longest one, this way they will all exactly line up. I leave my stopper for length in place then cut the angle for the next side and use the same stopper to cut to length. Makes some tricky cuts super simple

tpwirtz1 4 years ago

So I am planning on using this as a lathe project idea. The kids will actually make the dowel using calipers to make designs and for accuracy. I also wanted to add that having kids cut small pieces especially round pieces is kind of scary. I suggest having the kids to plan ahead and cut the ends at the 30 degree angle and the crosscut to their desired lengths afterwards. This way when they do cut the small pieces it is only at 90 degrees preventing the blade be miter angled over which leaves less room for their hands to secure the pieces. I will try give pictures later.

alexeicharkham 7 years ago

Made it (it's a hassle posting pictures, but I really did)! Thanks so much ;)

mtairymd 7 years ago

Has anyone been able to solve it yet?

alexeicharkham 7 years ago

Nope...my wife hasn't given up yet though... ;)

Marcosr39 8 years ago

Dude, that's so nice . I'll give it a try.

HollyMann 8 years ago

This looks awesome..if I had the tools, I would make it! :)

M3G 8 years ago

Awesome work, I'll have to give it a shot!

mtairymd 8 years ago

Thanks. It was a pretty easy project to make and has been somewhat challenging for the few people that have given it a try.

Diggerjack 8 years ago

Hello mtairymd

Very cool brain teaser

Thanks for all the instructions

I will make one for me

Thanks for sharing

Hammerguy84 8 years ago

This looks like a great brain teaser! Thanks for sharing!