View Full Version : Weekly Blog - May 13th
Most of the week was spent making and painting new pieces for the lawn swing. This is turning out to be a bigger job than I thought. It seems every time I look at it another piece should be changed but I have decided enough is enough. I only hope those others will last the season. Another week should do it.
On the hobby side, I finished the four dimensional tic-tac-toe game that I restarted a couple of weeks ago. This is a good project for those with family or friends that enjoy games that do not require the use of only two thumbs and a button. The game can be played with two people or two teams of two and the object of course is to place the cloured balls so that a player or team gets four in a row, in any manner, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. I have counted 72 possible ways to win. There may be more.
I have included a picture to illustrate some winning combinations by lining up the darker balls.
The game can also be made in a three dimensional design by using three rows of dowels in each direction and only three balls high.
Happy Woodworking!
John
muncyjohn
05-13-2007, 08:27 PM
John,
The game looks very interesting, I have 4 hyper grandkids that just love puzzles I have made, this looks like a project for me too! Did you turn the balls? of course I shouldn't ask that but being new and the first thing i look at on the site! Are you going to post sizes etc on this project???
Sure be interested in seeing the swing too, next week I pick up my SS and that is one of the projects on the honeydoo list not that I don't have enough tools now to make one but she don't know that!
John
manvelar
05-14-2007, 09:05 AM
I really like the tic-tac-toe game upi made. I do a lot of puzzles as you can see on www.manvell.org - any problems if I use your design and make a few for craft shows?
John:
The balls ( 1" diameter with 3/8" drilled hole) are purchased but come unfinished. I have coloured them myself but I think I have seen some coloured in the a craft store in Vermont. If I recall they were about the same price as I pay for unfinished. Sure would save a lot of work as this is probably the most time consuming part of the project. I don't have plans but could put together some in instructions if you or anyone else is interested.
Andy:
Feel free, it's not my design. Actually I purchased mine about twenty years ago from a co-worker who was making and selling them. Last fall as I was trying to decide what I could make different for an upcoming craft show, I noticed my wife and grandson playing a game and decided "why not?" I had not seen any in the shows I had attended up to then.
Have you made any "letter" puzzles? I have found they are cheap, sell cheap, and are a blast. Some of the most fun (and sales) have been with fellow craft show participants trying to complete them during the show.
Have fun.
John
charlese
05-15-2007, 12:29 AM
Hi! Didn't really want to get off of the tic tack toe, but have been trying to think of a place to post some of these things - the weekly blog seemed like a good spot.
Some folks have been talking about using a circle saw to make plywood cut offs. Some are thinking about buying expensive saw guides. Others of us are really frugal. Here are a couple of my inexpensive solutions to some of the issues we have been posting about. First the circle saw guide. Second the panel sled. Both built for under $10. And they are accurate to closer than .005" (for those who demand such accuracy - ;) )
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Today I used the circle saw straight guide to cut off a piece of 3/4" melamine. Notice - no chip outs. (you can also see my expandable work bench and workbench clamps) (The four cabinet doors can be seen on the floor leaning on the bench. They are waiting for the Rockler "Wonder Finish" to arrive. The rest of the corner cabinet is finished. Just need to finish the doors.
For those of us who love well cared for tools, please note the wonderful repair job on the circle saw power cord.:D I got the saw for $25 at a local pawn shop. The only thing I could find wrong with it was the cord. It had one of the two wires severed. Haven't gotten around to replacing the cord yet.
Chuck:
My electric lawn mower cord has a few of those "high tech" repairs!
Neet straight cut jig too.
Cheers.
John