If you’re looking for your next woodwork project and you’ve also got a fascination with puzzles and locks, then this project is definitely one you’ll want to check out. This wooden keepsake box, designed by Peter Olsen features a cryptic pattern on the lid which requires magnets to align four tumblers into one of nine different locations to unlock. It’s a really clever and interesting spin on a combination lock type box which is entirely made from wood and a couple of magnets. I also really like the way the magnet pins are able to be stored in the sides of the wooden box and are pushed out using the box handles.
Peter says that he intentionally didn’t put any further markings on the lid as he didn’t want it to be immediately obvious that the box requires some kind of combination in order to unlock.
You’ll need a fairly comprehensive wood working set up to be able to build the box to the level which he has, and I love the look of the final product. If you don’t feel like your wood working skills are up to this level, then you could also design a similar mechanism using 3d printed or laser cut components.
Here is his video of the keepsake box and it’s locking mechanism:
Have a look at his Instructable’s page for the full build instructions for the wooden keepsake box along with parts lists and dimensions for all of the components. With some time and a lot of patience, as quoted by Peter, you should be able to build your own as well. You’ll also learn a lot about locking mechanisms and magnets while you’re busy with this project.
Here are a couple of pictures of the final product:
Have you built your own wooden keepsake box? Let us know how it went for you in the comments section below.