Ultimate Puzzle

[Mick Walker]

My first thread on this forum. I have been scrolling for about 14 years. I have maybe a dumb question. The Ultimate Puzzle on page 46 of the latest Scroll Saw Work Shop magazine has each piece of the puzzle numbered from 1 to 40. I understand the cut numbers from 1 to 8. What are the other numbers for? Mick.

[Back2Jake]

Hi Mick,

First let me say, there is never a dumb question... sometimes things just need clarification. I will take a look at the magazine and see if I can help you with your question.

[Back2Jake]

Well, unfortunately I will not be able to help you ....

Embarrassed here, I do not have the most recent copy of the magazine That's what I get for living in a small town in Canada.... It takes a good month after it hits the newstand for me to get one. Sigh.

Hang in there, I am sure help is on the way. Again, sorry.

[BobD]

Mick,

Those are the suggested order to cut the pieces out after making the initial 8 cuts. Tom mentions in there not to make any sharp turns, which leave little gaps from the blade that make it easier for people to put together. If you cut them out in the numbered order, it makes it harder for people to put the puzzle together.

Hope this helps

Bob Duncan
Associate Editor
Scroll Saw Workshop

[Mick Walker]

Mick Walker

Bob, that is what I thought but didn't know for sure. Mick

[suzie71400]

My Interpretation of the Numbers

My first thread on this forum. I have been scrolling for about 14 years. I have maybe a dumb question. The Ultimate Puzzle on page 46 of the latest Scroll Saw Work Shop magazine has each piece of the puzzle numbered from 1 to 40. I understand the cut numbers from 1 to 8. What are the other numbers for? Mick.

The cuts 1-8 are to make it easier to cut without having to make sharp corner cuts. The other numbers, 1-40 are so you know how to reassemble it when you are through cutting.

[Tom Sevy]

Ultimate Puzzle Options

The Ultimate Puzzle is hard enough as is, but here are some ways to make it even harder to assemble.
#1. Make both sides black so you don't know whether a puzzle piece is right side up.
#2. Stack cut two puzzles at a time, and have the two pieces of Baltic birch so the grain is at right angles. Then take all the odd numbered pieces from one piece and the even numbered pieces from the other. That way wood grain can't be used to guide assembly.
#3. Stack cut two puzzles at a time, but make one black and the other white (or any other contrasting colors). Then, as with option #2, take the odd numbered pieces from the black puzzle and combine them with the even numbered pieces from the white puzzle. The person (victim?) you give the puzzle will try to assemble it with the pieces all turned to the same color. Don't tell them the trick.

Tom Sevy in Salt Lake

[jttheclockman]

Tom

The all black is pretty mean. That doesn't sound like fun at all. A puzzle is meant to be solved. The other two methods if you stack cut it would not matter if you inter-mix grain or color if I am following what you are saying.