March 11, 2026
Description
I always loved my mom's Edelweiss Puzzle box collection. More recently I saw a dove-tail puzzle box.
The Impossible Dovetail puzzle box is a deceptive, mechanical puzzle originating from traditional woodworking, designed to appear permanently locked on all sides. It was often used as a test of a makers woodworking skill. It often features a sliding, magnetized ball-bearing mechanism, requiring a 45-degree, diagonal motion to open, often by tapping or striking the box to release an internal, hidden, magnetic lock.
Since 3D printers can make things that are hard to do with conventional wood working tools, I designed this one to be round and to use rounded dovetails. I did a Tree-of-life inset instead of a carved Edelweiss.
Assembly:
The 6mm magnets are used to hold the box closed when it is not locked. Make sure the opposing magnets are attracted to each other. Super glue magnets in place.
The small 4mm magnets hold the ball bearing in place. Super glue the magnets.
Start the ball bearing in the deeper hole.
Slide the two pieces together. Make sure the orientation is correct (holes align)
To lock the box, turn the box on it cover. Tap it on a table. The ball bearing should shake from one magnet to the other.
To unlock the box, place box on the bottom with tree-of-life facing up. Tap it on the table. The ball bearing should switch to the other magnet
Things I used:
maple, walnut, and cherry wood PLA ( https://amzn.to/4llVoCB )
4mm diameter, 2mm thick round magnets ( https://amzn.to/4rZW573 )
6mm diameter, 3mm thick round magnets ( https://amzn.to/47dOn15 )
3/8" ball bearings ( https://amzn.to/4rnKltS )
superglue ( https://amzn.to/4deWgXC )
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License:
Creative Commons — Attribution — Noncommercial