For centuries, logic puzzles have entertained, inspired and educated kids of all ages. Studies show these engaging “brain teasers” provide unsurpassed benefits to the body and mind, increasing manual dexterity, mathematical abilities and overall intellectual agility.
Crafting Wood Logic Puzzles provides plans and instructions for crafting 18 of the most popular manual puzzles. Projects range from traditional “put together/take apart” games like pentominoes and soma cubes to more sophisticated “unlocking” head-scratchers, such as the Burr and Heart Box puzzles. Readers will also learn specialized cutting, drilling, sanding, gluing and finishing techniques that make crafting wooden puzzles possible.
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104 reviews for Crafting Wood Logic Puzzles: 18 Three-dimensional Games for the Hands and Mind
4.4out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
7
★★★★★
4
★★★★★
2
★★★★★
0
★★★★★
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★★★★★
G –
Well written and illustrated book. I did not realize these types of wood puzzles require such a high degree of precision. Every machine has to be fine tuned and calibrated before use. every jig has to be within close tolerance to be effective. I have not yet applied this information in my workshop for this reason.
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★★★★★
W –
I purchased this book for ideas on how I could challenge my grandkids with something other than electronic games. There were a number of great ideas that I’ve built for them for birthday and Christmas Gifts. I will probably make at least half of the items in the book. I would have been happy to have gotten 2 or 3 good ideas.
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★★★★★
Michael –
The book provides very good instructions on making any one of the simple to complex puzzles.
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★★★★★
Julia Irani –
it required a fair amount of tools to build. Book was great, just be prepared that it may not be very easy for a novice like myself 😉
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★★★★★
Toonfan –
The book has plans for 18 puzzles made from wood. They’re mostly of the “take it apart and put it back together” or “figure out how to move the ring or ball from here to there” variety. There are the classic puzzles like the Soma cube and the Tower of Hanoi. None of the projects are particularly difficult, but they do require some careful work to get puzzles that work and also look great. Book starts off a bit intimidating by listing all the tools and equipment that will be needed, namely a table saw, jointer, planer, drill press, band saw, scroll saw, and belt/disc sander. Whew! In reality you can get by with a few electrical tools, some manual tools and elbow grease. Unfortunately, the alternative use of manual tools is not covered. So far I’ve made six of the puzzles and in doing so have found quite a number of typos in the text. This was quite exasperating the first time I realized that I could not rely on the book. After making one of the puzzle parts I noticed that it didn’t quite fit right. At first I thought I just messed up in my measurements or assembly. But when I went back to compare what I did with the plans I found that the plans in the book had incorrect dimensions. Later I found other egregious errors. I still recommend the book, but with the caveat that you need to review all the plans for correctness before you rev up your saw.
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★★★★★
Linda S –
I gave some of the puzzles to allow a professor to try these on his mathematical friends. A mechanical steady setup helps but are all doable. Some easier to make than others. You will always remember the ones you made with pride.
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★★★★★
Richard Hadfield –
some of the projects in this book are mind bogglers even with the instructions and so I am excited about getting down to using it.
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★★★★★
Ravi Basavraju –
Good read, usefull
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★★★★★
Wayne S. –
I’ve made a few of the puzzles now the easier ones that you don’t have to be that accurate on are fine but I tried the wood knot puzzle and the 18 sticks puzzle and they just don’t work I double checked the sizes got my work mate to check to make shore it wasn’t me. The book is wrong. Also you go to the solutions and look at there puzzle the sizes are wrong on them too. Get the book but only as a reference.
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★★★★★
KRISTIN –
Great book with amazing ideas
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★★★★★
dgbg –
This turned out to be a great gift for my father, he loves his scroll saw and the intricate details he can craft with it. He saws this book is great.
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★★★★★
rovert –
well illustrated. lots of very makeable puzzles and plenty of useful tips on making them Also several ideas on useful jigs for use on power and bench machines. Good for keeping fingers intact when sawing small parts. Very good value for money
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★★★★★
Art H. –
It has met my expectations in terms of being delivered in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. In fairness to the book, I ordered about 4 books at one time, this one being one of them, and have been “Cherry Picking” from all of the books. After scanning this book, I find a small number of projects that I will end up using. But, that’s not to say I won’t revisit some of the other puzzles at a later date as I will be adding this book to my library for future reference. I will use this book, it just has a considerably lower priority than some of the other books. I would not hesitate to use this vendor again.
G –
Well written and illustrated book. I did not realize these types of wood puzzles require such a high degree of precision. Every machine has to be fine tuned and calibrated before use. every jig has to be within close tolerance to be effective.
I have not yet applied this information in my workshop for this reason.
W –
I purchased this book for ideas on how I could challenge my grandkids with something other than electronic games. There were a number of great ideas that I’ve built for them for birthday and Christmas Gifts. I will probably make at least half of the items in the book. I would have been happy to have gotten 2 or 3 good ideas.
Michael –
The book provides very good instructions on making any one of the simple to complex puzzles.
Julia Irani –
it required a fair amount of tools to build. Book was great, just be prepared that it may not be very easy for a novice like myself 😉
Toonfan –
The book has plans for 18 puzzles made from wood. They’re mostly of the “take it apart and put it back together” or “figure out how to move the ring or ball from here to there” variety. There are the classic puzzles like the Soma cube and the Tower of Hanoi. None of the projects are particularly difficult, but they do require some careful work to get puzzles that work and also look great. Book starts off a bit intimidating by listing all the tools and equipment that will be needed, namely a table saw, jointer, planer, drill press, band saw, scroll saw, and belt/disc sander. Whew! In reality you can get by with a few electrical tools, some manual tools and elbow grease. Unfortunately, the alternative use of manual tools is not covered. So far I’ve made six of the puzzles and in doing so have found quite a number of typos in the text. This was quite exasperating the first time I realized that I could not rely on the book. After making one of the puzzle parts I noticed that it didn’t quite fit right. At first I thought I just messed up in my measurements or assembly. But when I went back to compare what I did with the plans I found that the plans in the book had incorrect dimensions. Later I found other egregious errors. I still recommend the book, but with the caveat that you need to review all the plans for correctness before you rev up your saw.
Linda S –
I gave some of the puzzles to allow a professor to try these on his mathematical friends. A mechanical steady setup helps but are all doable. Some easier to make than others. You will always remember the ones you made with pride.
Richard Hadfield –
some of the projects in this book are mind bogglers even with the instructions and so I am excited about getting down to using it.
Ravi Basavraju –
Good read, usefull
Wayne S. –
I’ve made a few of the puzzles now the easier ones that you don’t have to be that accurate on are fine but I tried the wood knot puzzle and the 18 sticks puzzle and they just don’t work I double checked the sizes got my work mate to check to make shore it wasn’t me. The book is wrong. Also you go to the solutions and look at there puzzle the sizes are wrong on them too. Get the book but only as a reference.
KRISTIN –
Great book with amazing ideas
dgbg –
This turned out to be a great gift for my father, he loves his scroll saw and the intricate details he can craft with it. He saws this book is great.
rovert –
well illustrated. lots of very makeable puzzles and plenty of useful tips on making them Also several ideas on useful jigs for use on power and bench machines. Good for keeping fingers intact when sawing small parts. Very good value for money
Art H. –
It has met my expectations in terms of being delivered in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. In fairness to the book, I ordered about 4 books at one time, this one being one of them, and have been “Cherry Picking” from all of the books. After scanning this book, I find a small number of projects that I will end up using. But, that’s not to say I won’t revisit some of the other puzzles at a later date as I will be adding this book to my library for future reference. I will use this book, it just has a considerably lower priority than some of the other books. I would not hesitate to use this vendor again.