Wonders
in Wood
46 Puzzles and Other Novelties to Make and Solve
by Edwin M. Wyatt
Softcover
155 x 230mm
76pp
Published by Linden Publishing, Fresno, CA, USA
R.R.P.$14.90
ISBN 0-85442-072-X
As reviewed in The Australasian Toymaker Issue 1
Wonders in Wood is for everyone who enjoys a challenge - not just the technically-minded woodworker.
Written by Edwin Wyatt in 1946, this book is a collection of 46 puzzles, all made from wood. Some are simple to construct, but beware, their apparent simplicity can be deceiving when attempting to solve the puzzle.
For example, in Squaring Triangles, a collection of seven triangles must be assembled to create a square. Sounds easy? Try again. Another puzzle is the Lost Area, consisting of four pieces cut from a 13" x 13" (330mm x 330mm) square of plywood, which can be assembled to create a rectangle with a total area greater than the original square.
The Double-Double Dovetail Joint also makes an appearance, and those who have been searching for a working drawing of one will be rewarded with a bonus inclusion of plans for the Triple Dovetail Puzzle.
A Double Cross, Eighteen-Piece Double Cross and the Quadruple Burr (four sets of double crosses combined) are guaranteed to drive the most stable individuals quite batty.
Also included is a Wooden Valentine (with an arrow scored through the heart), Concentric Spheres inside each other, the Cross-Barred Ball Cage and a Toy Chair made from 13 interlocking pieces.
A variety of challenges in accurate construction - to complement the puzzles and test the skills - is provided in the manufacture of a set of Wooden Pliers and Scissors, each from an individual blank. A basic parquetry rope border, some marquetry and chip carving are also included.
Board and trick games such as The Floating Magnet and The Mysterious Block are not forgotten either.
The projects in Wonders in Wood are all classics, and may be well known to afficionados. However, this reprint of the original book is surely the only resource where so many can be found in one place, and is therefore a 'must have'.
Illustrations: Black & White
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
The Tetrahedron or Triangular Pyramid
Nest of Toys
A Three-Dimension Jigsaw Puzzle
Cut-Up Checkerboard
Six-Pointed Star
Squaring Triangles
Built-Up Trapezoid
Built-up Square
Lost Area
Solitaire Marble Game Board
Marbles in a Maze
Solitaire Checkerboard
Fore and Aft
Shuffle Box Number One
Shuffle Box Number Two
Double-Double Dovetail Joint
Triple Dovetail Puzzle
Double Cross
Eighteen-Piece Double Cross
Quadruple Burr
Snowflake
Chestnut Burr
Toy Chair
Enchanted Dice
Cross-Barred Ball Cage
Concentric Spheres
Wooden Pliers
Scissors
E Puzzle
Wooden Valentine
Draftsman's Dream
Six-Piece Ball Puzzle
The Cocklebur
The Floating Magnet
The Mysterious Block
The Lie Detector
Fake Pop Gun
Plugged Bottle
Disappearing Coin Device
Counterfeit Machine
Dominoes
String Puzzle
Built-up Turned Work
Rope Border
Marquetry
Geometrical or Chip Carving
Index