Puzzle Literature, instructions, books, etc....

[Sipper25]

  I would like to give this puzzle think a try any suggestions on a first project.  I have 12 year old daughter who loves puzzles and i would like to maybe get her involved in the making of this. I have looked at many of the links you have all posted but dont know where to start. any input from the experts would be wonderful

Thanks Doug

[Canuck]

Hi Doug, have a look at this primer...of course don't hessitate to ask questions either
http://www.instructables.com/id/Precision-Puzzlemaking-Primer----Volume-1/

[JWDiaz]

The Soma Cube is probably the easiest puzzle to make and to solve, but if you want something a little more exotic and want to practice some notching I suggest the Hammerhead Burr. It's probably the easiest to make non-common burr that I've ever come across.  http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~rh5k-isn/Puzzle/HammerheadBurr/

And don't feel intimidated by Lee Krasnow's instructable ... judging by his creations, he's a perfectionist.

[Johan Heyns]

Hi Doug

I agree with Jose.  Starting with a packing puzzle which normally does not require the fine tolerances is the best way to ease into this, at least for a start.  The other one which is one of my favourites is the pentomino.

You can always buy 27 or 60 off 12mm dice and glue that together for a start on either the Soma or the Pentomino.  Doing it this way means your daughter can do the glueing and there are no machines involved.  Once you have her attention and interest you can progress other puzzles.

Johan Heyns

[Canuck]

Just in case anyone would like to pick up a book on puzzles, here's some direct links to Amazon.com:

Stewart Coffin; http://www.amazon.com/Geometric-Puzzle-Design-Stewart-Coffin/dp/1568813120/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239973142&sr=1-1

Tom Lensch; http://www.amazon.com/Crafting-Wood-Logic-Puzzles-Three-dimensional/dp/158923247X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239973142&sr=1-2

Both of those are excellent 'hands on' type puzzle making style books from two of the finest puzzle Designer/Craftsman around!

[Roby]

Has anyone run across  a link to Jerry Sloccum's "The Ultimate Puzzlebook - The Best Puzzles in the World"?  Peter's No 3 puzzlebox is featured in there, but I don't know if it was ever made in English.    Of course, that just show cool puzzles and not how to make or solve them.

[Arc Light]

Hey Robert, I have done several searches, an have found the book on many Danish book sellers websites.  However I found a very small blurb on a puzzle blog stating the book will be released in English sometime in the spring of 2009.  So I am watching for an English copy.

[Canuck]

Hey Robert, I have done several searches, an have found the book on many Danish book sellers websites.  However I found a very small blurb on a puzzle blog stating the book will be released in English sometime in the spring of 2009.  So I am watching for an English copy.

That's interesting Peter, keep us posted   Here's another link to famed puzzlemaker Allan Boardman's book:

http://www.amazon.com/Puzzle-Projects-Woodworkers-Allan-Boardman/dp/1933502118/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239981066&sr=1-4#

[RKB]

Hey Robert, I have done several searches, an have found the book on many Danish book sellers websites.  However I found a very small blurb on a puzzle blog stating the book will be released in English sometime in the spring of 2009.  So I am watching for an English copy.

First, the book can be found on DUTCH (an Belgian) websites as it was published in our language in 2007. On the website of the publisher was stated that the English edition was due spring 2008... Now we're 2009 and the first used copies begin to turn up here.

A few months ago I mailed Jerry to find out when that UK/US edition will be around and he thinks that it will be September/October of this year... but there's of course the economic crisis which is not favorable for such a rather small niche oriented book.

But as with many books of Jerry, the pictures tell it all and you may consider buying the Dutch edition. I'm always willing to help.

Ry
Belgium.

[Canuck]

But as with many books of Jerry, the pictures tell it all and you may consider buying the Dutch edition. I'm always willing to help.

I would like to get a copy if you can find one for me, do you have a paypal account?

[RKB]

That's interesting Peter, keep us posted   Here's another link to famed puzzlemaker Allan Boardman's book:

http://www.amazon.com/Puzzle-Projects-Woodworkers-Allan-Boardman/dp/1933502118/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239981066&sr=1-4#

I think that any beginner should start with Edwin M. Wyatt's books. These give plans of the very oldest designs and are excellent for learning the trade:

Puzzles in Wood : http://www.amazon.com/Puzzles-Wood-Patterns-Creating-Classics/dp/1565233484/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239986539&sr=1-1
Wonders in Wood : http://www.amazon.com/Wonders-Wood-Puzzles-Other-Novelties/dp/0941936406/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239986539&sr=1-2

[RKB]

I would like to get a copy if you can find one for me, do you have a paypal account?

No Paypal (yet) here. But there are other ways...

[RKB]

Also very interesting for a starter:

http://www.amazon.com/New-Book-Puzzles-Classic-Modern/dp/0716723565

[Arc Light]

Whoops sorry Ry, I meant Dutch.  Don't know what I was thinking.

[Roby]

  I would like to give this puzzle think a try any suggestions on a first project.  I have 12 year old daughter who loves puzzles and i would like to maybe get her involved in the making of this. I have looked at many of the links you have all posted but dont know where to start. any input from the experts would be wonderful

Thanks Doug

I must apologize to skipper.  I have a very bad habbit of not reading too far up the posts.  I did not realize the purpose of this thread before I started posting in response to puzzlebooks.  I did not mean to change the subject on his thread. 

Skipper, it would depend on what your daugher is interested in as far as puzzles, since there are all kinds.  Rolly would be a great resource if shy liked makeing geometric puzzle shapes out of popsicle sticks.  Chinney would be the obvious choice to make geometric puzzles out of folded paper (although I think that Rolly actually got him started on that). 

My buest guess is to just cut a bunch of wooden cubes and allow her to glue them together in various pieces that make a particular shape wnen assembled.  You are on to something here, and it is a lot more fun to design puzzles than it is to solve them, so have fun with your bonding experience together.  Also, if she is into computers (as most teens are) you might try downloading the free burrtools program.  She can play with making puzzles before you even start cutting pieces.