Wooden Puzzles

Pros: a nice book with wood project accessible for all levels. Great presentation with step by step instructions. Cons: All three projects I made so far have errors (or missing steps) in the instructions. Beware, It's very frustrating to have to redo your projects from start...
A collection of articles from the Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts magazine, Wooden Puzzles deals primarily with projects that have a jigsaw puzzle element and hence are suited to being made on the scrollsaw. There are 31 puzzles in all. Many, such as the Woodimal Moose and Lion, Kangaroo, Wizard, Star and Motorcycle are identifiable 20 shapes which can be pulled apart like a jigsaw puzzle. Others such as the Dairy Delight, Apple Alphabet and Paul Bunyan consist of a backing tray and pull-out pieces. There are a few 3D puzzles. These include the Whale which has a small Jonah figure inside, the Interlocking Lizard and an introduction to layered marquetry puzzles. The Wooden Puzzle Vault is an interesting and complex project for the router table and drill press, rather than the scrollsaw. One project that stands out is the World's Most Difficult Four-Piece Puzzle. It might not be the most difficult but it will certainly amuse your friends. It consists of four seemingly identical jigsaw pieces that make up a square. However there is a trick to getting it apart and putting it back together. To successfully produce the puzzle a little trial and error with the cutting on the scrollsaw is required. All projects are detailed with plans, colour photographs and step-by-step instructions. Wooden Puzzles will provide hours of fun for anyone with a scrollsaw and represents good value for those interested in wooden puzzles generally.
For the scroll sawyer these puzzles are fun to make and even more fun to solve. There are 31 puzzles from the pages of ScrollSaw & Crafts Magazine and they are great. I liked the challenging (to solve) four-piece puzzle, the Apple Alphabet puzzle for kids and 29 more. The authors do a great job of showing you how to make the various cuts and the materials that they used. A fun book for all.
Do our LumberJocks' scrollwork projects inspire and intimidate you? Are you puzzled by scroll saw work? The book "Wooden Puzzles" takes "puzzled" to a whole new level! In "Wooden Puzzles" there are thirty-one projects that are divided into beginner, intermediate and master categories. There are puzzles for children, for educational purposes, for teenagers and for adults. Although my scroll saw skills are limited and my confidence level on the machine is low I am inspired to try my hand at making one - the projects are just too cute to resist and the beginner ones don't look too difficult. Each scroll saw project comes with a pattern for the puzzle and a picture of the finished product (sometimes with different variations which is helpful). Many of the projects come with a series of photos accompanying the step-by-step instructions. Throughout the pages of the book are dozens of tips regarding wood selection and combinations, pattern reproductions, and scrolling tips. I have looked through the book several times now, gaining the courage to try my hand at making a puzzle. Although I love the simple but beautiful puzzles I am intrigued by the variations presented. Maybe, just maybe, I'll jump right into mixing it up a bit! My Ratings of The Book Layout and Appearance: Good balance of photos, plans and instructions. Thumbs Up! Instructions: Clear step-by-step instructions and patterns. Thumbs Up! Projects Selection: Great variety (in subject matter and skill level) Inspiration: There are so many of the projects that I want to make! Inspired, indeed. Thumbs Up! Overall: Thumbs Up!