Not that I expect this to interest you, but I've just finished building two of these. I followed your method to the letter, and they turned out beautifully. I just wanted to say thanks for the trouble, and that the accompanying web page was very useful. In summary, two things from this project surprised me: 1) how deceptively confusing the (improved) corner drilling method was to accomplish correctly, and 2) how deceptively difficult the puzzle was to solve!
I followed along and made a few of these and enjoyed it. I did find a different way to make it tight and so far it is still tensioned nicely. 550 paracord when dunked in boiling water will shrink 1 inch for every 10 inches. So I assembled as tight as possible, boiled a pot of water and dropped it in. This also evaporated fast because of the heated wood. Also found that threading the path was easy if I cut out the center of the cord 2inches long and melted the end more than normal pulling and twisting making it tapered. Thanks Matthias for inspiring me
Always interesting to see Matthias' engineering problem-solving techniques at work. You took an existing design and made it better. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. Cheers, mate!
+Matthias Wandel whether one finds any interest in the snake cube, your video is absolutely dripping with innovation. I look at my wood shop in an entirely different way thanks to you and these videos. Thank you for so many brilliant techniques.
Matthias, this has to be one of the most ingenious videos you have created. Splitting that cube in half was such an outside the box idea! The company that makes those puzzles should be paying you!
My Great grandfather made me one when I was about 6 or 7 years old. It seemed bigger back then but being young everything seemed bigger. He used rawhide lacing I believe, I remember him soaking the rawhide lace, putting it together and letting it to dry. I think that is how he got it so tight but I was 6 or 7 so I might be wrong.
I had a go at this myself last night and today. I tried to improve on some of Matthias's techniques, but without much luck. I was able to use the vacuum to pull the string through the corners, but this only works if you make the holes significantly larger than the string. If you read the blog post, this is what he was trying to avoid. It winds up making the puzzle very loose and sloppy. So on my next try, I'll go with the angled holes, sized as closely to the string as possible. I also used a twisted nylon cord. Big problem. As you use the puzzle and it untwists, it gets looser and looser. You can twist it around the other way to tighten it up. I realized braided cord would probably be a lot better. So I'm picking some up. I imagine that would probably tend to tighten in either direction of rotation though, which may be why Matthias feels his puzzle is too tight. But just a guess. It may not be as significant as the twisted cord.
I like wood puzzles. I may have to pull back a little from woodturning to make one. I would probably have dunked them all in walnut oil for a finish. Thanks for an excellent video.
Matthias, A technique electricians use to pull wires/cables through a conduit is to shoot a small line through, & use it to pull the heavier line that pull the cable. I think a thread would do the same for your cube. Tie a thread (or melt) at the end of your line & blow or vacuum through. then pull the cord through. Great puzzle, my grand kids will love it.
I made a couple of these some years ago. I figured out that it is not needed to start with a straight hole for the 45° blocks, some fine-tuned alignment with a jig and a drillpress set to 45° just worked fine. Use a rubber-like string to avoid splitting blocks to tight up everything. Here in germany, "Hutschnur" is the thing to look for. BTW: I'm quite proud to see you do a project I already did. My normal woodworking workflow goes: 1) Check TH-cam (your site and WWMM) 2) Goto workshop 3) problem? Goto 1)
I've used compressed air to feed string through tight spots. Not sure if it would work in your case. Nice build - liked how you solved the misalignment issue.
If you stick a small diameter awl in the knot with the point of the awl against the bottom of the hole in the block, you can tighten the knot as it slides down the awl. You may have to push down directly on the knot as you tighten it. Ive done this many times. It works.
Have you made anything like rubik's magic? My friend made something like it in college from mat-board and fishing line. I wonder if that idea could be extended into cubes.
Hi Matt thanks for the video. I figured out a way to get the cord through the holes without drilling the angle hole. Melt the end of the cord and slip using a needle some 30lb test monofillment fishing line and pull the line through. Also i was able to get the not tight enough using just some needle nose pliers. this looks great and works awesome. Thanks for the ideas.
I haven't tried this yet, but I'm wondering if you pulled the string as tight as you could, push a needle through the string that would fit in the hole (to act as a piece of re-bar) and fill the hole with CA glue, leaving just enough head room to put in a small plug. if you would have enough strength.
Brilliant project, id love to give this a go myself. Can someone please tell me what the type of drill bit is used at 05:30 please? Im fairly new to woodworking outside of the basics and diy projects and im starting to progress onto more skilled builds now and a bit like that would be brilliant for making mini dowls to plug countersank screwholes in my work, rather than using woodfiller which means all the work would need painting but i love to actually see the grain of my work and the wood. Thanks to anyone who can help direct me to what it is.
You could cut the cubes, drilled a whole all the way through one side to the other and then split those cubes in half at an angle. Though it wouldn't be very puzzle like. It'd be more in line with the plastic snake toys I used to play with when I was young.
Do u have PDF for this I would love to make one for my girls and for that jig u used for the drilling on a angle u make really nice stuff very smart woodworking god
Awesome project! Would a small sowing thread with a tight wound noose knot, or just overlapped and melted onto the larger string, be able to thread that 90 degree turn? Just a thought. The angled hole is a great idea too.
My wife never leaves the house without at least three Rubix Cubes, yes I know that's hard to believe but it's very true. I think this could be a very cool project to make for her birthday this year.
You mentioned not knowing a better idea for vanishing the wood without it getting in the holes. Have you tried vanishing before drilling then touching up with a small brush after?
Nice work. You need a figure of eight knot to finish your string - Google it. That knot tightens on itself rather than slipping off like a simple knot could do. I know you heated/melted yours to prevent it coming undone, but not all string melts like that.
Hi Matt, where do you usually buy your hardwood lumber? anywhere other than lowes or homedepot? Please let me know.. I find it really hard to find some in Canada.. for a reasonable price atleast.
+Ayush g Find yourself a sawmill. There's plenty of them across Canada. Sawmills are so much cheaper than Home Depot for good quality hardwoods (and soft woods). Just expect to do a lot of jointing and planing at home.
Christopher Keene ooo nice. Any names come to mind? ill check some antique stores out near my area. Will be checking out some sawmills as well. one is in Guelph, rest are very far away unfortunately. Thanks.
Depends on where are you but the big warehouse antique store on Huron in Woodstock is pretty good. And I've found some hardwoods at both flea markets in Brantford on colbourne St. And then a&m wood specialty in Cambridge but you'll pay for the quality of product at a&m
I've noticed in most of your videos that you use hardwoods for your projects. I know some of your wood is salvaged but a lot looks knew. Do you have a local source/retailer nearby or do you order your wood? In my area the only wood suppliers are Lowes and Home Depot and their wood selection is sorely lacking when it comes to hardwoods. Any suggestions? Viewers feel free to chime in.
HWPcville I can't speak for your area, but a search in my state for "saw mill" resulted in many small business options. There are also hardwood vendors online which will ship wood to your door. Matthias does have a point regarding salvaged (always check for nails and staples before cutting!) wood.
make version with just straight hole and cut bloks in 45' angle. That will be real fun :) you probably need to make some 4 small holes plus balls to make it like: Rubik's Twist Tutorial
I have a puzzle like this. After few tries i learned to solve it without even looking at it, from both ends. Its fun until you discover how to solve it, like all puzzles.
Ya, My friend bought me one and she said try to solve it! and I taught that was impossible lol. I finally finished it by my Mathematics and Physics studies lmao. took me 2 hours to find the way on Math and Physics well, thats my experience of solving it and then afterwhile is slept I forgotten how to solve it lmao
![[129] How to solve the wooden snake cube puzzle](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UJc5MrK12zk/mqdefault.jpg)
![[129] How to solve the wooden snake cube puzzle](/img/tr.png)
Not that I expect this to interest you, but I've just finished building two of these. I followed your method to the letter, and they turned out beautifully. I just wanted to say thanks for the trouble, and that the accompanying web page was very useful.
In summary, two things from this project surprised me:
1) how deceptively confusing the (improved) corner drilling method was to accomplish correctly, and 2) how deceptively difficult the puzzle was to solve!
I followed along and made a few of these and enjoyed it. I did find a different way to make it tight and so far it is still tensioned nicely. 550 paracord when dunked in boiling water will shrink 1 inch for every 10 inches. So I assembled as tight as possible, boiled a pot of water and dropped it in. This also evaporated fast because of the heated wood. Also found that threading the path was easy if I cut out the center of the cord 2inches long and melted the end more than normal pulling and twisting making it tapered.
Thanks Matthias for inspiring me
Always interesting to see Matthias' engineering problem-solving techniques at work. You took an existing design and made it better. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. Cheers, mate!
Some very clever solutions in there Matthias. Loved the angled holes and splitting one of the cubes. Nice one!
I cried a little when you split that block near the end to make space for the knot. But damn, I love all your videos.
+Matthias Wandel whether one finds any interest in the snake cube, your video is absolutely dripping with innovation. I look at my wood shop in an entirely different way thanks to you and these videos. Thank you for so many brilliant techniques.
Matthias, this has to be one of the most ingenious videos you have created. Splitting that cube in half was such an outside the box idea! The company that makes those puzzles should be paying you!
That looks like a lot of fun to play with.
I love how you find a solution to a problem, great work Matt!
My Great grandfather made me one when I was about 6 or 7 years old. It seemed bigger back then but being young everything seemed bigger. He used rawhide lacing I believe, I remember him soaking the rawhide lace, putting it together and letting it to dry. I think that is how he got it so tight but I was 6 or 7 so I might be wrong.
Pretty neat how you improved the design. I like that
I had a go at this myself last night and today. I tried to improve on some of Matthias's techniques, but without much luck. I was able to use the vacuum to pull the string through the corners, but this only works if you make the holes significantly larger than the string. If you read the blog post, this is what he was trying to avoid. It winds up making the puzzle very loose and sloppy. So on my next try, I'll go with the angled holes, sized as closely to the string as possible.
I also used a twisted nylon cord. Big problem. As you use the puzzle and it untwists, it gets looser and looser. You can twist it around the other way to tighten it up. I realized braided cord would probably be a lot better. So I'm picking some up. I imagine that would probably tend to tighten in either direction of rotation though, which may be why Matthias feels his puzzle is too tight. But just a guess. It may not be as significant as the twisted cord.
There is also elastic round gold cord. The type they sometimes use to hold the cover tight on large candy boxes.
love this guys channel , always full of interesting stuffs
I remember having a puzzle like that. But it was cheap plastic. Great video and excellent solutions. Fine work, as always.
Matthias never fails to amaze.
I like wood puzzles. I may have to pull back a little from woodturning to make one.
I would probably have dunked them all in walnut oil for a finish.
Thanks for an excellent video.
That's a really neat project, man. Good work.
Matthias, A technique electricians use to pull wires/cables through a conduit is to shoot a small line through, & use it to pull the heavier line that pull the cable. I think a thread would do the same for your cube. Tie a thread (or melt) at the end of your line & blow or vacuum through. then pull the cord through. Great puzzle, my grand kids will love it.
My version of this puzzle has flexible cord which allows it to move more freely. Great Video.
nice jig for drilling the 45
well done!
Robbie
You are so CLEVER! Respect and a deep bow, SIR!
I made a couple of these some years ago. I figured out that it is not needed to start with a straight hole for the 45° blocks, some fine-tuned alignment with a jig and a drillpress set to 45° just worked fine. Use a rubber-like string to avoid splitting blocks to tight up everything. Here in germany, "Hutschnur" is the thing to look for.
BTW: I'm quite proud to see you do a project I already did. My normal woodworking workflow goes:
1) Check TH-cam (your site and WWMM)
2) Goto workshop
3) problem? Goto 1)
That was pretty cool. You make projects for things I never would have even thought of, and I mean that in a good way.
You are a GENIUS, Matthias.
You never fail to surprise me.
Vacuum cleaner and yarn usually work to get through the string.
Nice video as usual...
I've used compressed air to feed string through tight spots. Not sure if it would work in your case. Nice build - liked how you solved the misalignment issue.
Nice! And thanks for teaching us some of your tricks, Matthias. This is greatly appreciated!
Dem Ingenieur ist nichts zu schwör... Wirklich gute Videos und ne Menge inspiration für meine eigenen Projekte! Grüße aus der Heimat.
Of course you improved on the design. Nice work, you've got some awesome videos.
Ingenious Mathias, simply ingenious. I always enjoy your work. I just have to build your Pantorouter, Thanks for sharing your creativity.
If you stick a small diameter awl in the knot with the point of the awl against the bottom of the hole in the block, you can tighten the knot as it slides down the awl. You may have to push down directly on the knot as you tighten it. Ive done this many times. It works.
Have you made anything like rubik's magic? My friend made something like it in college from mat-board and fishing line. I wonder if that idea could be extended into cubes.
Maestro! Siempre es un placer aprender de usted! Gracias por compartir su conocimiento. Saludos desde Argentina.
Great project. Love wooden puzzles.
Hi Matt thanks for the video. I figured out a way to get the cord through the holes without drilling the angle hole. Melt the end of the cord and slip using a needle some 30lb test monofillment fishing line and pull the line through. Also i was able to get the not tight enough using just some needle nose pliers. this looks great and works awesome. Thanks for the ideas.
Could you use shock cord like in tent poles?
I haven't tried this yet, but I'm wondering if you pulled the string as tight as you could, push a needle through the string that would fit in the hole (to act as a piece of re-bar) and fill the hole with CA glue, leaving just enough head room to put in a small plug. if you would have enough strength.
nice :) bring backs childhood memorys
Very nice video, really easy to follow, I think I'm gonna try it myself :)
Awesome little puzzle.
Regards,
Bob
Brilliant project, id love to give this a go myself.
Can someone please tell me what the type of drill bit is used at 05:30 please?
Im fairly new to woodworking outside of the basics and diy projects and im starting to progress onto more skilled builds now and a bit like that would be brilliant for making mini dowls to plug countersank screwholes in my work, rather than using woodfiller which means all the work would need painting but i love to actually see the grain of my work and the wood.
Thanks to anyone who can help direct me to what it is.
tapered plug cutter
Hey Matias
Greetings from Australia! What a cool project!
I'd never heard of that puzzle...nice! Looks like a Rubik's cube (btw, you could try to build one with wood, that would be a very cool project).
You could cut the cubes, drilled a whole all the way through one side to the other and then split those cubes in half at an angle. Though it wouldn't be very puzzle like. It'd be more in line with the plastic snake toys I used to play with when I was young.
Next time ship it out to Steve Ramsey, I'm sure he would be glad to put some "Spray Lacquer" on it for you - lol
Nice! Use a flower spray bottle for oil or varnish. Works perfect for oiling garden furniture as well.
Do u have PDF for this I would love to make one for my girls and for that jig u used for the drilling on a angle u make really nice stuff very smart woodworking god
Nice man ! Thumbs up for all the decent work
Awesome project!
Would a small sowing thread with a tight wound noose knot, or just overlapped and melted onto the larger string, be able to thread that 90 degree turn? Just a thought. The angled hole is a great idea too.
Put the varnish in a zip-lock plastic bag along with the the parts and gently roll the parts around in the bag.
My wife never leaves the house without at least three Rubix Cubes, yes I know that's hard to believe but it's very true. I think this could be a very cool project to make for her birthday this year.
You had to solve a puzzle to make one. Good going
You mentioned not knowing a better idea for vanishing the wood without it getting in the holes. Have you tried vanishing before drilling then touching up with a small brush after?
you deserve some credit
awesome!
you are great sir..
and greetings from india.
Holy drill press! You sure have a lot of holes in your drill press table.
what kind of bit was the one you used to make the plug for the two squares
+tony dj A plug cutting bit
THANKS MATTHIAS GOOD STUFF. YOU ALWAYS TEACH AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
Have you ever made a haberdasher's puzzle? You can make a hinged one that flips between a triangle and a square. It's pretty interesting.
He is a role model of *if do anything do perfect*
Great Idea ! Cool Solution , i like it
Awesome! Do you think that you could have used a brush and then just cleaned up the holes again afterwards with a drill and bit?
I really like your projects! Need time to perform...
A stretchable cord might have worked better than splitting that cube. But it was a clever solution.
Just amazing Matthias
What kind of varnish do you use? Water-based poly?
Why did you rotate the stock as you cut off cubes on the table saw sled?
Trying to avoid having the burr from cutting mess up placement against the fence.
it's long winter, I bet you can even mod one of these snakes to create flexible tracks for marbles.
Really cool
Nice project
Thx for showing the world :-)
Greetings
Erik
But will it blend?
Nice work. You need a figure of eight knot to finish your string - Google it. That knot tightens on itself rather than slipping off like a simple knot could do. I know you heated/melted yours to prevent it coming undone, but not all string melts like that.
what kind of drill bit was that in 5:31?
+Justin Pang It's a plug cutter. And Matthias is exactly using it for their intended purpose.
Matthias you make everything that is impossible possible
Is the green one anŷ different to the normal one?
Why do you rotate the wood after every cut? Does it do anything, or maybe im missing something :/ ?
Nice project! :)
A question though,
With your drilling 45 deg jig, why did you need bigger holes, why not to drill right through?
I explain that in the article, linked from the video.
Nice work..I solved it, now I'm looking for the maths to go with the solution
Wow, you're the best!
Hi Matt, where do you usually buy your hardwood lumber? anywhere other than lowes or homedepot? Please let me know.. I find it really hard to find some in Canada.. for a reasonable price atleast.
+Ayush g I usually don't buy hardwood. I mostly get it from old furniture, cut from firewood, or mill it from trees.
+Ayush g Find yourself a sawmill. There's plenty of them across Canada. Sawmills are so much cheaper than Home Depot for good quality hardwoods (and soft woods). Just expect to do a lot of jointing and planing at home.
+Ayush g Some antique stores in Southern Ontario will sell hardwood cut offs and large slabs
Christopher Keene ooo nice. Any names come to mind? ill check some antique stores out near my area.
Will be checking out some sawmills as well. one is in Guelph, rest are very far away unfortunately.
Thanks.
Depends on where are you but the big warehouse antique store on Huron in Woodstock is pretty good. And I've found some hardwoods at both flea markets in Brantford on colbourne St. And then a&m wood specialty in Cambridge but you'll pay for the quality of product at a&m
Bungee string would let you tie it outside the hole and let it pull itself inside. :)
you used regular string or with rubber?>
put the blocks in a small bucket with thined finish and tumble till almost dry then alow to cure on rack tray
Can you make a Rubik's cube ?
Is that elastic string?
I've noticed in most of your videos that you use hardwoods for your projects. I know some of your wood is salvaged but a lot looks knew. Do you have a local source/retailer nearby or do you order your wood? In my area the only wood suppliers are Lowes and Home Depot and their wood selection is sorely lacking when it comes to hardwoods. Any suggestions? Viewers feel free to chime in.
HWPcville I very rarely buy hardwood. Mostly stuff I cut myself, or firewood, or from the curb.
HWPcville I can't speak for your area, but a search in my state for "saw mill" resulted in many small business options. There are also hardwood vendors online which will ship wood to your door.
Matthias does have a point regarding salvaged (always check for nails and staples before cutting!) wood.
1:11 And that, boys and girls, is why we stand off to the side.
hey mathias, you could make a snake with triangular parts, that will let you create a lot more different figures.
This is really neat. i will make one too!.
make version with just straight hole and cut bloks in 45' angle. That will be real fun :) you probably need to make some 4 small holes plus balls to make it like: Rubik's Twist Tutorial
Thanks for the great video.
Liked it. Very nice job.
¡Wow! Awesome work.
Could of varnished them before drilling the holes.
I have a puzzle like this. After few tries i learned to solve it without even looking at it, from both ends. Its fun until you discover how to solve it, like all puzzles.
Well after that it's fun to impress people with it :D
You have to make it a WHOLE lot bigger
Y you no rubber string? Oe was it?
what else can you make
how about make some rubic cube.
is it possible??
Ya, My friend bought me one and she said try to solve it! and I taught that was impossible lol. I finally finished it by my Mathematics and Physics studies lmao.
took me 2 hours to find the way on Math and Physics well, thats my experience of solving it and then afterwhile is slept I forgotten how to solve it lmao