How to quickly make a simple wooden puzzle? For example, like this:
Let's start with a sketch. I usually draw on paper and then stick the drawing onto a piece of wood or plywood using tape or glue. Suitable universal contact adhesive(Moment, rubber No. 88, BF-6 and others) or an adhesive stick. But not at this time.

I sketched the sketch right on the edge of a birch plank 18mm thick

First - the general outlines, then outlined the mouth, eyes and tail. Next, we divide into pieces. Special attention I draw attention to the fact that there would not be too narrow jumpers across the wood fibers to ensure the strength of the parts.

The sketch is ready. It is better to drill the eyes in advance, since the finished parts can be easily split when drilling. Now I'm going to start cutting. As always - Flying Duchman blades FR-UR#5

If you do not plan to make a standing toy, then you can apply thin plywood and a hand jigsaw.
An important stage of work is grinding. Every detail is meticulously sanded. sandpaper. And here is the result:

It looks like it turned out not at all homemade,

But rather, it is a wild boar, judging by the powerful fangs - a real boar-hook.

Here is my drawing for sawing out a puzzle from plywood or wood. You can freely download and use the puzzle pattern for your work. It will be interesting for me to look at the photos of the boar you have.

How are plywood puzzles made? Today, many of you have seen on the Internet a lot of sculptures created using intersecting edges. In our humble opinion, the Japanese company d-torso has succeeded the most in this matter. How such masterpieces are created, we will tell in this article.

There are several ways. The first and easiest is the creation of drawings using special software. Of the programs known to us, this is Autodesk 123d make: you load a 3D model, set the parameters of the sections, and at the output you get a layout in vector format. The disadvantages of Autodesk 123d make are the section in only two selected planes (this is normal, since the algorithm will not be able to work otherwise) and the problem with loading many 3D models. The program is still raw and Last update was from 2014. There is also a plug-in for the SketchUp program, which we will talk about later and it is called Slice modeler. A common disadvantage of such programs is the manual refinement of models and the elimination of a huge amount of unnecessary details. It can take the same time as the third method, which will be discussed later.

The second way is to create vector drawings in a graphical editor with sections calculated in different planes. For this method, you must have at least minimal artist skills and good spatial thinking. The contours can be outlined in the same CorelDraw. Immediately and cut with planes. Those who taught engineering graphics well at the university will immediately catch it. We do not see the disadvantages of this method, having experience, such models can be made quite quickly. Plus, there is a creative element to it. A minor minus is the inability to see the 3D model in isometry already in assembled without pre-cutting.

The third way is to create a puzzle from the original 3D model “manually”. This method combines the advantages of the previous two. You can decide for yourself where to divide the model by planes, how far the element contour will go into the model. You can immediately see the overall picture when creating planes. The disadvantages of this method are obligatory presence 3D models, as for the first option. We will talk about this method using the example of making an elephant's head.

The main manufacturing process is working with the SketchUp program. Moreover, there is also a free version of this product (although in this way you can model in almost any program for creating three-dimensional graphics). Find the 3D model you want to make into a puzzle and upload it to SketchUp.

... copy with a certain step in the right direction.

The next stage is the intersection of the model with planes. It is necessary to carry out such operations with parallel planes or with planes that do not mutually intersect. Be sure to create a reference point before this in order to correctly group elements from different planes in the future.

Select the planes and use the Intersect Faces command to intersect the model in the right place.

After executing the command, which can take a long time depending on the PC, you can see the contour at the intersection of the plane with the model.

After that, delete the model along with the section planes and you should have the contours of future puzzle elements. Be sure to first copy the model together with the reference point for subsequent sectioning with other planes.

We have a set of closed contours that form the future elements of the puzzle. In order to form sections, we close each of the contours with a line.

Some contours may lose segments after deleting the model and cutting planes. In this case, you need to close them manually. All this of course depends on the original model.

It remains to remove the small “garbage” and the final picture will look like ...

The next stage is similar to the previous one. Just cut the model along the other axis. If the first axis was conditionally X, then now we take Y.

Subsequent operations are repeated.

Don't forget about the anchor point. The lower photo shows the overlapping of sections from different planes when using the anchor point.

Let's crop our future model and remove unnecessary elements.

As you can see, the lower sections of the trunk hang in the air. Let's make a section between the two previous ones and “tie” the elements of the trunk into an integral structure.

It remains to add sections along the Z axis. The whole process is familiar to you.

Later it turned out that two sections along the Z axis would be enough and the average ones were thrown out. We added tusks and drew the ears to scale in Corel. From Corel, the vectors were imported into SketchUp and docked with our elements.

Next, using the Push/Pull command, we add volume to the sections. We pull on the thickness of the future material. If you plan to cut out of 4mm plywood, then, accordingly, you pull to this value. We advise you to do the whole model at once in real scale to present the big picture in the future.

Final 3D model

Creating grooves for joining puzzle pieces is done manually and is a rather long and monotonous process compared to the previous one. Those who are familiar with SketchUp will do it without problems. Let's show this operation on the example of two parts of the trunk. Important point: in the process of creating elements, even at the stage of creating sections, be sure to group each element separately.

Select one of the elements and go into edit mode. We draw the outline of the intersection of our elements.

For convenience, using the Hide command, we hide the “unnecessary” element for the time being and close the groove contour.

Using the Push/Pull command, we extrude a groove in the element.

We carry out a similar operation with another element of the puzzle.

Creating grooves can be done faster using the same Intersect Faces command, but you still have to finish it manually. Next, we carry out similar operations with the rest of the puzzle pieces. And finally, we lay out all the elements on one plane for subsequent export to CorelDraw.

Let's clarify right away that the export of 2D graphics from SketchUp is still poorly implemented and some files can only be exported using installed plugins. The most suitable export file format is dxf. You can try both dwg and eps. In general, any format will do to achieve the goal. When exporting sections, be sure to make sure that they lie in the same plane and that you have the appropriate camera (view) mode selected. The camera (review) should look strictly perpendicular to the elements. Otherwise, extra curves will be exported.

Actually, at this stage, the creation of a model for vector cutting of a 3D puzzle is completed. Further, directly making a puzzle on any CNC cutting machine or manually according to the patterns. We also promised to talk about the plug-in for SketchUp “Slice modeler”. This plugin allows you to do the above work automatically, but as with any automation process, there are drawbacks. Slice modeler works great with simple 3D shapes as well as simple 3D models. With all the models that we imported into SketchUp, it worked crookedly.

When the plugin is launched, it pops up a window in which we select the section step, direction along the axis, the thickness of the final element, color and layer. For example, we will choose the X axis. The plugin gives information about the number of sections and performs the actual process itself.

After some time, it issues ready-made sections of the model and requests information about another axis. For example, the Z axis is selected.

The result of the plug-in with this model is not very good, since many sections need to be edited and brought to mind. During normal operation, the Slice modeler at the end of the process scatters the elements of the puzzle in one plane, and also does the numbering of each part. This plug-in cuts in two planes, sections in the third plane must be completed manually or done in a tricky way - to carry out the process in pairs in two planes, and then overlay them (for example, XY and XZ). The bottom line is: Slice modeler can be used with simple 3D models or with models made in high level(example). In time, this process can take even more than “cutting” manually.

Now we go directly to the process of manufacturing our parts. We will cut puzzle elements on this handsome man.

laser engraver A3+SPLIT desktop version. This is the second generation of A3+SPLIT. The size of the working field is 300x450, the actual engraving speed is 550 mm/s. Cutting 4mm plywood at 12-15mm/s. After suffering with the K-40 engraver, working on this machine is a pleasure. Made in Ukraine, the guys always have components in stock and support at a high level. By the way, there is a complete set with a “pin” table. Those who worked with plywood in large quantities know all the “charms” of washing the edges of the knife table from soot.

The actual process of work comes down to installing plywood on the desktop and running a program for cutting contours, which is tightly integrated with CorelDraw.

In total, the entire model took five sheets measuring 300 x 500 mm. This is even taking into account the base of the shield, which was already completed in CorelDraw. Be sure to check the thickness of the plywood before cutting and adjust the real drawings, taking into account the laser cut thickness of 0.1 mm.

Dimensions finished model were 50x50x40 cm.

And finally, the finished result.

Total time this work took one full day. Of course, for beginners, this time may be a little long, but with experience, automation of the process will come. We would like to emphasize that this way the manufacture of such products is not the only one, and if you have the desire and time, then go for it.

No animals were harmed during the making of the 3D puzzle.

How to quickly make a simple wooden puzzle? For example, like this:
Let's start with a sketch. I usually draw on paper and then stick the drawing onto a piece of wood or plywood using tape or glue. Suitable universal contact adhesive (Moment, rubber No. 88, BF-6 and others) or an adhesive stick. But not at this time.

I sketched the sketch right on the edge of a birch plank 18mm thick

First - the general outlines, then outlined the mouth, eyes and tail. Next, we divide into pieces. I pay special attention to the fact that there are no too narrow jumpers across the wood fibers to ensure the strength of the parts.

The sketch is ready. It is better to drill the eyes in advance, since the finished parts can be easily split when drilling. Now I'm going to start cutting. As always - jig saw (scrollsaw) Jet JSS-16, blades Flying Duchman FR-UR No. 5

If you do not plan to make a standing toy, then you can use thin plywood and a manual jigsaw.
An important stage of work is grinding. Every detail is carefully sanded with sandpaper. And here is the result:

It looks like it turned out not at all a domestic pig from a farm,

But rather, it is a wild boar, judging by the powerful fangs - a real boar-hook.

Here is my drawing for sawing out a puzzle from plywood or wood. You can freely download and use the puzzle pattern for your work. It will be interesting for me to look at the photos of the boar you have.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

• workpiece for sawing up to 20 mm thick;
• files #5 or #7;
• fine-grained sandpaper;
• drill with a diameter of 1.5-2 mm;
• double sided tape;
• printed diagram;
• preferred finish.

Original wooden puzzles from the archives of Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts are a stylish and easy-to-make project that will be appreciated by both professional craftsmen and those who are just starting to master. Mosaic puzzles have smooth and uncomplicated cutting lines, without sharp turns, which makes them easy to make not only on a power machine, but also with a manual jigsaw.

For sawing this project, wood blanks, both soft and hard rock. Instead of a glued board, it is desirable to use a solid array or trimmings with a single texture pattern. This will preserve the external attractiveness and design conciseness of the project. Optimal Thickness blanks - 13-15 mm. The sizes of puzzles can vary depending on individual wishes.

For cutting the workpiece, sawing out the main shapes and creating cuts, it is appropriate to use a #5 or #7 jigsaw. In a good puzzle, all the pieces must fit together perfectly. Don't bet on final grinding ends, the quality of the saw cut should initially be as high as possible. To do this, choose files with an increased number of teeth per inch (high TPI value in the marking). When working on the machine, it is also important to correctly select the optimal speed, since an excessively high stroke rate can lead to the formation of burns on the cut.

When cutting a puzzle with a jigsaw, the printed diagram can be stuck on wooden blank any convenient way, but the experience of the masters shows that the most practical solution in this case is to use double-sided tape.

In sawn elements with a 1.5-2 mm drill, eyes are made for animal figures. After that, the adhesive tape is peeled off, and carefully polished front side every detail. Cutting out training puzzles with a jigsaw is completed by applying decorative finishes chosen at the discretion of the wizard.

Aleksey Morozov from Izhevsk started sawing wooden puzzles about two years ago. The idea came from the workplace. Aleksey works as a designer, plans metal constructions, and has nothing to do with the tree. However, it so happened that Alexei had fifteen minutes left from dinner, and he decided to take them up with a new hobby, brought an old "pioneer" jigsaw from home, and began sawing out of wood in one of the free offices.

I didn’t start working on wood right away, - says Alexey. - I tried everything: both metal and stone. But working with these materials is more difficult, and there is always dirt on clothes and bad smell oils remain. Wood is a lot more fun to work with. It is soft and pleasant and smells.

Later, Alexei took his hobby home and began to cut puzzles in the evenings and weekends. And such an unusual hobby almost immediately began to generate income.

I received my first orders when I told about my hobby at the Izhevsk forum under the heading "Needlework", - says Alexey. - Do not wonder. My wife accidentally left this page open on the computer screen. And gradually orders began to come in, my work seemed interesting to the people. And off we go.

I even bought a desktop jigsaw machine. This device is slightly larger. sewing machine. With it, you can cut thick wooden sheets, and make their edges smoother. The designer admitted that it immediately became easier to work with him.

During these two years, I have already made more than a hundred different puzzles, - says Alexey. - And each of them is unique and memorable. After all, they are all made in a single copy.

Puzzles from small to large

Alexey makes mosaics of the most different forms and sizes. From very tiny, 5-6 parts for kids, to large paintings - more than 700 parts. It takes an hour to make a small puzzle, big picture- up to three weeks.

The artist also makes puzzles in the form of animal figures that can stand, and when assembled serve as a toy.

For adults, another type of puzzle is suitable - split pictures. There are more details here.

I am not an educator

When Alexey got married, and then two of his daughters were born one after another, the hobby had to be abandoned for a while. When the children grew up, free time became more. To unusual toys the kids joined in.

I am not a teacher and I do not force my daughters to collect puzzles every day, - says Alexey. - My wooden puzzles are more likely to be sold. My daughters lack interest for a long time. Collected a toy once, collected two. Everything, the task is solved, and interest in it disappears. And for me, it's a relief. My main job as a designer is so specific that the same project can be created for several years. And I make new puzzles every time. And when you hand over the finished mosaic to the customer and you see that his eyes are burning, your soul immediately becomes warmer, you get real pleasure.

Alexey Morozov told how he makes wooden puzzles

1. To make a wooden puzzle, I take a board about 2 cm thick.

2. I draw a sketch on paper. If this is an inscription, then the letters themselves. And if this is a colored puzzle picture, then I print the picture in the size of the future mosaic. Then I glue the paper onto the board. If I stick a sketch, then I do it with adhesive tape or stationery glue. If I want the drawing to be preserved, I use stronger glue.

3. After I start to cut out. Moreover, from internal openings, for example, eyes, windows, etc. Just when small hole sawing, it is inconvenient to hold a small part, but it is more convenient to hold a whole sheet. After the outer contour is cut out.

4. I draw each detail separately. First, iconic details, in the form of animals, people, plots. They are cut out first. And then the remaining parts of the mosaic are already cut into details.

5. After sawing out, the puzzle pieces turn out to be “shaggy”, and they need to be sanded. This is done by hand with ordinary sandpaper. This is perhaps one of the most time-consuming steps. But the result is worth it. Such details are already pleasant to take in hand.

Most memorable work

Most of all I remember the puzzle, which was ordered by a guy from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, - Alexey recalls. - He decided to propose to his girlfriend when she went to rest at the resort.

The customer took a photo of a girl and painted a wedding ring on it. With the help of a computer, I made it black and white and sent it to the master in this form.

He said, come up with whatever you want, - says Alexey. So I came up with a story about love, about family life about happiness. I printed the sent photo in a photo studio, pasted it on a sheet of plywood 50x60 cm, and began to come up with ideas for details.

At first, Alexey decided to make a fence, and on them, like ordinary life, there should be inscriptions. At first he wrote Olya + Sergey = Love, but at the request of the customer he corrected it for Olchik + Serzhik = Love.

Well, the client is always right, - Alexey laughs.

And then the plot of the puzzle began to be born, and the form of its parts: a boy with a flower in his teeth, a traveling girl with a suitcase, a wedding, etc.

It's not interesting to assemble a mosaic from simple identical parts, - Alexey explains. – But when you recognize yourself and the history of your life in every detail, then you want to collect the mosaic again and again.

After Alexey contacted the customer and found out that Olya was delighted with the gift. But so far they have not been able to complete the puzzle. This is still a rather difficult puzzle, and they still have a cat and a dog, and the apartment is being renovated ... “There is still half left,” Sergey said.