instructables

Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box

by brandonelms

Welcome to my Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box.For this project I wanted to design a wooden box thatwould be like a reverse escape room. It wasimportant that it could store physical clues andobjects, and it had to be programmable. I wanted tomake it completely mechanical without using anydigital mechanisms. At the start, I wanted to make allthe lock integral to the box structure, but eventuallydesigned it with one padlock. This Instructable willwalk you through the design of the box and how it fits

together. It doesn't go into how I cut the box out orassembled it. To make it I used Inkscape to designeach layer of the sides. Then I used a laser cutter tocut 4 different layers for each side out of 1/4 inchplywood. The layers were glued together when theydidn't need to open, and screwed on if it needs to beremoved to reset the combination. When assembledthe Puzzle Box acts like a 9 stage Cryptex. I will walkthrough each side.

1. This is not the Lament Configuration. There are many puzzle boxes, butthis one is mine.

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 1

1. This is the box fully opened. In this form it is known as the puzzle cross.

https://youtu.be/HfzsVD4QN5c

Step 1: Puzzle Box Top

The top of the Puzzle Box is locked with anuppercase letter, a lowercase letter, and a number.The combination is set by rotating the rings to alignthe right letter or number with the triangle on thebottom. If the right combination is chosen, the slidingthe lock back with the circle opposite the triangle.Once unlocked the lid can open revealing the toptray. To reset the combination, the inside 2 panels are

removed to reveal the locking mechanism. The top isthe only side with 5 layers. The locking bar has ribsthat are blocked by the lock rings unless the gaps inthe lock rings are aligned. The lock rings are changedby rotating and setting the cog teeth in a newposition. The letter or number centered in the gap willbe the new combination.

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1. This side has 6,760 possible combinations. 1. First tray of goodies.

1. Slide lock.2. Ash from the laser cut rings.

1. Locking ribs.2. Inside number ring lock.3. Middle lowercase ring lock.4. Outside uppercase ring lock set to "A".

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 3

Step 2: Puzzle Box Back

The back of the Puzzle Box requires the top to beunlocked or it will not open. The back is locked with aletter and 4 numbers. First the the numbers on thestar dials need to be rotated until the correct digitaligns with the triangle. If all 4 numbers are correct,the outside ring can now be rotated. If the correctletter is aligned with the top triangle, the 4 locks onthe right and left side can be slid inward. The backside can now fold open to reveal the first locked tray.To reset the combination, the inside layer is removedby unscrewing the screws holding it to the otherlayers. The locking portion of the dials can be

removed and set to any digit. Unless the correct digitof each dial is rotated to point to the center of thecircle, the outside ring is blocked from spinning by 1or more of the dials. If all the dials are rotated to havethe cutout portion pointing outward, the outside ringcan now freely spin to align the cutouts with the sidelocks. When the back is unlocked and rotated down itexposes the first of four locked trays. While the traydoes not physically prevent the left side from beingopened, I usually put the clues to solve thecombination for the left side inside this tray.

1. The 4 star dials have 10,000 combinations, because you can't know which one is keepingthe ring from spinning.2. Only 26 combinations for the ring, but I like the sun motif.

1. Wait this one is locked too!

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 4

1. Needed reminders to keep from setting thecombination in a mirror image of what I intended.

1. Inside of star dial.2. Locking portion of a star dial.3. Cut out for one of the 4 side locks to slide in to unlock this side.4. Locking portion of the outside ring.5. Cut out to let the outside ring spin.6. Side lock in the locked position

Step 3: Puzzle Box Locked Tray 1-3

The locked trays exposed by opening the back, left,and front sides are identical in construction. This willbe the only step that discussed the locked trays. Thedials that unlock the locked trays are hidden bylocked sides, until it becomes the top tray. Each dialhas 10 digits, and the correct digit must be rotated toalign with the top triangle. If all for dials are correct,the lid of the tray can be opened by pulling up. Thetray can be reset by removing the back panel. With

the back panel removed the dials can be set byinserting the locking ring into the dial with the gapaligned to the desired digit. Each tray is slightly lessthan 2 inches deep and 10 inches by 10 inches wide.The tray is anchored to the next side to be opened.The stacked trays physically prevent sides from beingopened out of order.

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 5

1. 10,000 combinations for this and each of the next 2 trays. A total of30,000 combinations.

1. I don't know that I needed the reinforcement, but I put it in just in case.

1. Back panel to hold in combination dials. There are 4 cut outs for the lidlatches to seat into.2. Lid latch that locks unless the ring gap is rotated upward.3. Ring lock that has a gap in the unlocked position.4. The ring lock is set by putting the teeth in the holes and aligning the gapwith the chosen digit.5. Back of 1 of the dials.

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Step 4: Puzzle Box Left

The Puzzle Box's left side has an alchemical themewith the combination dials marked with the symbol forspirit, earth, air, fire, and water. The dials are set intoa terraced pentagram. Each dial has 10 digits, andthe correct digit must be rotated upward to align withthe triangle to unlock. If the combination is correct,the lock can slide left along with the lowest level ofthe terrace. When the left side is open, it exposeslocking tray 2. To reset the combination, the inner

layer is removed. The locking plate with its 5 screwpegs is taken out to reveal the dials. The dials can beset the the right digit by rotating the dial to have thecorrect digit pointing "up" and the locking cog insertedwith the slot extending away from the slide lock. Eachside of the Puzzle Box can not be reset until it isunlocked because the inner layer is obstructed by theunopened trays. No cheating.

1. I thought about putting the keys of Solomon here but didn't want toscare anyone off. Alchemy is much more benign.

1. lowest level of the terrace shifted left to unlock.2. 100,000 combinations make this the hardest side that is easilyquantifiable.

1. Slot for the lock.2. Pentapeephole.

1. The 5 screw pegs must slide into the slots on the locking cogs tounlock.2. The air dial without its locking cog. The holes from the cog's teeth canbe seen.3. Recessed area for the locking cog.4. Locking cog with teeth up.

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Step 5: Puzzle Box Front

The front of the Puzzle Box is a large numbered grid.Using clues the player uses a strong magnet to draga key through a hidden maze. The maze alwaysstarts in the lower left corner (44) and ends at theupper right corner (5). Clues given or solved for letthe player know how they need to navigate the key tonot bump into the walls and drop the key. If the playerdrops the key, there is a string that is attached to boththe magnet and key that can be pulled to reset themaze. When the maze is successfully navigated, the

key will exit to the right of number 5 and unlock theblock preventing the slide lock from opening. The lockis not shown in the photos. The side works, but it isvery difficult. I usually include an extra key in anenvelope to open if the mechanics fail. To reset themaze, the inner layer is removed. Sections of themaze can be cut out, and new walls placed withmasking tape folded over nails set in every corner ofthe grid.

1. Magnet stored in its recess, and held in place against a steel plate.2. Laser cutter got over zealous and cut clean through. I later learned howto engrave better. Learning is half the fun.3. Not sure how many possible mazes so just gonna say 10,000. Thereare probably more possible mazes, but a lot of them would have no realpractical changes.

1. Magnet handle is stored in the previous tray.2. Slide block is normally held in by a lock.

1. Slide block removed and unlocked. 1. Key start location.2. Finish3. Maze walls are made of 1 inch masking tape folded over nails.4. Back plate for magnet storage.

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 8

4. Back plate for magnet storage.

1. Slide lock2. Key to navigate through the maze.3. Reset string stored in an internal void.4. Added tape to help the key slide better.

Step 6: Puzzle Box Right and Final Tray

The right side of the Puzzle Box is the last uprightside. It is unlocked by setting 4 slides to the correctdigit from a choice of 5 digits. If all four are correct,the center slide block can be raised, and the bottomlocks slide in. When the right side folds down, itexposes the last locked tray. The combination can bereset by taking off the inner layer. The slide bars thatset the combination are each made of three portions.

The slide bare has the digits and holes for the teeth.The locking portions are set into the slide bar with asingle space gap between them. this gapcorresponds to 1 of the 5 digits. The final tray onlyhas to dials, because the right side is locked into thetray.

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 9

1. Locks are blocked from sliding in.2. Need some design here.3. 625 combinations, it is all down hill from here.

1. The correct number is aligned with the triangle.2. Slide block is raised.3. locks can slide inward.

1. Combination is set with these bars.2. Lock seats inside the bottom tray.

1. Lock portions must be set in the bars in the correct position. Far left for1, then a single gap, and then the other lock portion.2. Portion of the slide block that is itself blocked until the combination isset.

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 10

1. The bottom tray is the same as the others, except for the loss of 2 dialsto anchor the right side.2. With only 100 combinations, this one is a gimme.

1. Where the right side locks seat.2. After only 157,511 possible combinations, you get your reward.

Step 7: Hinge and Conclusion

I designed the hinges to set inside each box side toallow each side of the box to fold flat to a table. I alsowanted the hinges to be removable for repair orreplacement of any side of the box. This box isversion 2.2. It is the second box I have designed (thefirst just had 4 lids each with its own resettablepadlock). This version of the box has a redesignedback and left side. The whole box when closed is aperfect 1 foot cube. It has 4 trays each about2"x10"x10" that can store puzzle pieces and clues. Ofthose 4 trays, 3 are lockable and puzzles on theirown. The final tray is also lockable and can store aprize or gift. I have used the box to hold a game

where the trays hold various puzzles that must besolved to get the combination for subsequent sides.Since the box is made of some what thin plywood, itis possible to force the lock by breaking the wood.However it requires enough force that it shouldn'thappen by accident. I would like to give 10bitworksmakerspace in San Antonio a shout out for a greatlaser cutter and help with inkscape. They are a greatcommunity of crafters. If you know of any other boxeslike this I would love to see them. Feel free to addlinks below.

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 11

1. The hinge center can be removed by opening the bottom side.2. The hinge sides can be removed from the box side. This allows me toreplace a side with a new design if desired.3. Just a nail cut to size with an angle grinder.

Step 8: Puzzle Box Files

I have attached my Puzzle Box Inkscape files. I made some small tweaks just before cutting, but they were notsaved. These should give you the 95% solution. Just import and move the layers one on top of the other to makesure everything lines up right. It will still take a little sanding to get everything to move and slide easily. Enjoy, andthanks Instructables!

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/FHQ/CBBI/JM0V4JUS/FHQCBBIJM0V4JUS.svg…Download

https://www.instructables.com/ORIG/F30/I0CQ/JM0V4NZT/F30I0CQJM0V4NZT.svg…Download

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Wooden Programmable Puzzle Box: Page 13

This is so many kinds of awesome! Do you have templates that you can share?

I do on Inkscape. I might be able to convert them to PDFs.

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