Introduction: Pack Pipes Puzzle - 3D Printed

About: I love to craft and my sons and grandchildren keep me going!

There are 8 tubes in total. One of them lies separately. 7 tubes can be packed without any problems. Your task is to figure out how to pack the eighth tube in the box as well.

This is a remixed version. The version that caused me to make some practical, ex- and internal modifications can be found here: https://www.printables.com/de/model/28457-dowel-puzzle-brain-teaser

First of all, thanks to "Creative MinerX" for his version of "Dowel Puzzle", especially for the filigree, practical cover that makes the puzzle transportable and gives it a more valuable look. Unfortunately, the cover causes it to close only when the puzzle's solution is included. That can't be the point! 

My idea now was to continue the idea with the cover, but without including the solution. For this, some changes had to be made, both to the box and to the cover.

Since the term "dowel" doesn't really seem appropriate to me, I made another small change: I turned the "dowels" into "pipes".

Dimensions cover: L 130 x W 66 x H 21 mm

Supplies

Print Files:

  • pack pipes puzzle_box.stl
  • pack pipes puzzle_cover.stl
  • pack pipes puzzle_1pc.stl
  • pack pipes puzzle_7pcs.stl
  • pack pipes puzzle_8pcs.stl

Step 1: Printing

To make the "pipe" that belongs in the external compartment easier to recognize, I printed it in a different color. This saves searching for the matching "pipe"! If you don't care about that, you can also print all pipes in the same color (pack pipes puzzle_8pcs.stl).

Print Settings:

  • Printer brands: Prusa, Flashforge 
  • Printer: i3 MK3S, Finder 
  • Supports: No
  • Resolution: 0,2
  • Infill: 15%
  • Filament brands: Prusa; ICE
  • Filament colors: Galaxy Black; Romantik Red, Young Yellow
  • Filament material: PLA

Remark: As all parts are designed to fit very precisely, it may happen that you have to rework one or the other part a bit with sandpaper and/or cutter due to different dimensional accuracy of the printers and the different behavior of the filaments.

Step 2: Finishing

If the box is a bit sluggish when sliding into the cover, careful sanding the edges will help, especially the edges that were on the print bed.

Step 3: Puzzling

The task is to arrange the "pipes" in such a way that the pipe in the extra compartment, in this case the yellow one, can be inserted into the board as well. All the "pipes" must be in lying position!

For you, the fun of the puzzle is over after you find the solution. Now you can challenge your friends with it! 

Have fun!