The Bottom Line

For woodworkers looking for a different kind of challenge from most furniture or other woodworking projects, "Puzzle Projects for Woodworkers" provides a refreshing change of pace. After a few pages of introduction to prepare the woodworker for the challenges of building intricate and accurate puzzles, Allan J. Boardman details the steps required to build (and solve) 14 different puzzles, all built in the wood shop.

While a number of these puzzles seemed quite similar, we found the plans easy to follow, and in an order where a previous project teaches techniques that will help in upcoming projects.



Pros

• Fun, small woodworking projects that make great gifts
• Each of the 14 projects includes a bio of the puzzle's designer
• Many of the puzzles are quite challenging, but solution steps for each puzzle are included

Cons

• Most of the puzzles seemed remarkably similar - would've liked to have seen some more variety

Description

• Puzzles in the book include a pair of animal take-apart puzzles, a unique trick box, and a pre-historic spinning object.
• The book focuses on precision woodworking techniques that are well-suited to helping improve the craftsman's skill level.
• Each project includes detailed measured drawings and photographs of the completed project.

Guide Review - Woodworking Book Review of "Puzzle Projects for Woodworkers"

Allan J. Boardman's "Puzzle Projects for Woodworkers" (2007 Linden Publishing) is a great book for woodworkers looking to find gift ideas or novelties that they can build in their wood shop.

There are a number of wooden puzzle plans in this book that are outlined in a clear, well-detailed manner with diagrams and steps to complete each project. The author also details a number of woodworking jigs that are not only needed to complete specific parts of certain puzzles, but also would be handy for other woodworking projects.

I found the bios for each of the puzzles' designers particularly interesting, as it showed a bit of the personality, and in some cases, humor that went into the design of each puzzle. While some of the puzzles are whimsical, others are geometric, and at least one is, shall we say, mysterious.

In addition to seeing a bit more variety in the types of puzzles, I would have liked to have seen a bit more discussion of appropriate finishes or varieties of wood that would work well for each puzzle. Because the tolerances of many of the pieces are pretty tight, one would be advised to use hardwoods that don't have a lot of movement with seasonal humidity changes. Appropriate finishing steps should also be taken to protect against moisture, but the woodworker should exercise care with the finish so as to avoid altering the final shape or thickness of each part.