Wood Ring Puzzle (horseshoe Style)

by pcksek in Workshop > Woodworking

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Wood Ring Puzzle (horseshoe Style)

Wood Ring Final.JPG

This is my take on the 'horseshoe' ring puzzle... hope it inspires you to make your own version...

Supplies

Luan (you'll need two 2.5" square pieces, so a 2.5" x 5" rectangle will do quite nicely)

String

metal ring (1 3/4" ID, 1 15/16" OD - available from any craft store)

3/4" forstner bit

5mm wood drill bit

Band saw

finishing products (shellac, enamel, etc.)

  1. My faves: Rustoleum oil-based enamel (qt. size, with foam brushes) and Zinsser spray shellac
  2. Feel free to use whatever you want to 'finish off' the wood

open flame (cigarette lighter)

Cut the Blanks

Wood Ring Blank Piece 1.JPG
Wood Ring Blank Piece 2.JPG
Wood Ring Blank Template.JPG

You need two 2.5" square pieces - I used luan for my prototype...

Cut the Center Hole

Wood Ring Blank Center Hole.JPG

Use the 3/4" forstner bit

  1. Cut out in each piece (double them up, if possible)
  2. watch for blowout on the back

Cut the Notches

Wood Ring Blank Notch.JPG

Using the Band saw, cut out the notch to match the dimensions of the 3/4" hole

  1. Do this in each..
  2. Cut from the non-rounded-end side of the blank... ;-)

Drill the String Holes

Wood Ring Blank 5mm Hole.JPG

Drill the 5mm holes in each 'end'

  1. 4, in total, or double up the blanks...
  2. again, watch for blowout on the back

Finish the Pieces

Wood Ring Tie Em Together.JPG

Sand all the edges if the two pieces...

Also, This version, since it is my prototype, is finished with shellac.

Future versions will, likely be oil-based enamel (my fave finish), then shellac

Tie the Strings

Wood Ring Tie Em Together.JPG

Connect the ends with string, and use a cigarette lighter to 'lock it in'...

Enjoy the Game

Wood Ring Final.JPG

No, I'm not going to give you the secret... :)

It's easy enough to Google...

Nonetheless, enjoy the puzzle...