Is This A Lighthouse?

[Roby]

Sorry I have been away for so long.  I have been busy crafting this first run of puzzleboxes made primarily on the lathe.  John is right, the lathe is addicting and there is no going back now that I have tasted the "dark side".  This is my first attempt to accomplish anything on the lathe, so be nice.  I also have not yet sanded, beveled and lacquered the parts, so it should look a lot better when I am done.

I still have a long way to go because I have to craft the "rocky craig" cliff base on which the puzzle will stand (which will be a take-apart puzzle all of its own), and I also have lots of more details to add to the lighthouse itself.  Does it look anything like a lighthouse to any of you all at this point?  My wife says yes, but she is biased.

I think that I have topped the most complex Hoffmann puzzle with this threaded beauty.  Curently, it takes 4 well hidden steps before the top portion will even come off  - in three pieces.  One of those pieces will be reiquired as a key to dislodge the "rocky craig" puzzle base.  Only then can the two rings rotate up and down the shaft of the lighthouse (the brick accents on the corners of lightouse also serve as guide threads for the rings).  Rotating the rings to proper positions will eventually access 2 hidden compartments with a minimum of at least another 7 steps.
   

[MBD]

Nice!
A true masterpiece! 

[Roby]

Chinney - is this close enough to a perfect sphere (or at least a half sphere) on the top of this puzzle.  See, you have taught me well. 

[Canuck]

Well...as someone who lives near a 'lighthouse route', I definitely agree that it already looks like a lighthouse!!! 


Very well done indeed, how on earth do you do it?  That puzzle belongs in 'Paradise' 

[jstrayer]

I am speechless ... what beautiful work!  And I LOVE the idea of using one part of the puzzle to solve another!  (Robert, is a lobster next?  Are you pursuing a Maine theme for one of your devotees?)

[Roby]

You know that any Maine puzzle has to be a treasure hunt.  

Odd that you mention it, but I think that the actual light house I am crafting it after is in Maine.  It is the Perch Rock Lighthouse at the mouth of the River Mersey.   Look and see if my lighthouse looks anything like the original.

Image at www.thelensflare.com/large/lighthouse_1367.jpg 

[Canuck]

You nailed it brother!!!  

[Trooper]

Exceptional work, but once again.  Well done Roby.  I can't wait to see the finished version.   

I wonder how long it will take Chinny, after he receives his, to have it 'flashing' and sitting on the shelf beside Medusa?

 

[MBD]

 

[Canuck]

I wonder how long it will take Chinny, after he receives his, to have it 'flashing' and sitting on the shelf beside Medusa?

 

Chinny's already making one up, guaranteed!!  

[Canuck]

Matt, you got in there just before me...

[MBD]

Hopefully they will be done in time for Halloween or Thanksgiving.  

 

[MarkMc]

Man, is that a nice looking puzzle or what?!!!  Can't wait to see the "rocky craig" that it will sit on.   I really like to idea of using one part of the puzzle to open another part!  They'll be lined up around the block to get a copy.

I agree with John, it belongs in 'Paradise'.

[MBD]

Roby,

Glad you finally used a concept that you were going to use on the almost completed "elephant box."

Those neat ideas you have in the recesses of your mind keep on wanting to see the "light" of day.

On another note: did you watch the OSU vs. UH game?  

Did you finally meet "Mark"?  

[MarkMc]

"On another note: did you watch the OSU vs. UH game?  "

I would personally like to thank UH for whipping their a$$.  Orange is the new red...they wish!   


Now if we can only get Sam Bradford healthy....GO SOONERS!

John,

The football games were my excuse for "being busy" yesterday! 


Roby and I have not yet met...but I'm sure we will soon, unless he's an Ok State fan and I've ticked him off (above)!