MAIN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SELECTIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENGRAVABLES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHERS
|
|
|
|
ORDERING
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PUZZLE BOX
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Index
Click on subject line to view-
1. Important things to know about opening a Quagmire Puzzle Box:
Because puzzle boxes can vary so much in style
and operation, this list is more of a Do’s and
Don’ts list and generic in a sense that not all
rules apply to every box.
* Initially when opening a box that you have never opened before, you should be
aware that just because a piece doesn't initially
move doesn't mean it never will. But, it may never
move and only looks like it should. Sometimes part
of the trick is the one fooling you into thinking
it does move.
* Pieces have limited free movement.
Never force it beyond its limited free movement.
* Force is never needed!
* Pieces that slide out or lift up should not be
used as handles or levers.
* Parts may only move in small increments of approximately an 1/8", which sometimes
makes it difficult to tell if a piece has moved at
all. It may
move any increment of measurement. Sometimes a piece
will be able to move beyond a point of which it
needs to, requiring you to feel the part(s) under
movement, while manipulating associated pieces in
order to execute the proper action.
* Some parts may be spring loaded pieces that could require being held in a
specific position while executing the following move or moves.
~ It's the not knowing what to expect that makes it
challenging.~
* When manipulating parts, try not to use your fingernails as they will dent
the fine edges of the wooden parts.
* Try moistening your fingertips to help get a grip. Rubber fingertips or even a
soft eraser can be a good help.
BACK TO INDEX
2. What if a piece won't move?
* Force is never needed! If a piece does not move
with gentle persuasion, it
should be determined that it is not its time to be moved. Or, the part is only
intended to make you think it is supposed to move.
*Force
or using any other means such as pencils, screw drivers and hammers will
most likely damage or even break pieces.
*If a piece (s) gets hung or wedged with another, carefully persuade the piece
back in the opposite direction of which it was going when it got stuck.
This may seem like obvious advice, but I watched an individual once trying to open
a box that got a piece hung up and then continued to force the part. Some folks just don't know!
Force = breakage.
*If the box has been sitting for some time, it may be possible that some wood
expansion has occurred. To view more about this, read number
13. Things to know about wood.
BACK TO INDEX
3. How to display your Quagmire Puzzle Box
*Placing your Quagmire puzzle box somewhere like a
china cabinet is a great idea. If placed on a unenclosed area such as a shelf
or table, please keep far enough from the edge to prevent it from being knocked
off. (Also see #4 below for additional info.)
BACK TO INDEX
4. Places you shouldn't keep your Quagmire Puzzle Box!
* Never place your box in an area where it will be exposed to direct sunlight
for any extended period of time such as a window sill or like area.
* Store away from damp or high humidity areas such as the shower area.
*Store away from heat ~ areas such as your vehicle in the summer time or a
fireplace mantel.
* Do not leave your box exposed to outdoor elements for any period of time.
*If the atmospheric conditions where the box is to be stored is dry due to a dry
climate or a home that is centrally heated, a container of water placed near the
box in your display cabinet is most advisable. This can help prevent warping and
shrinkage of the wood.
BACK TO INDEX
5. Keeping up appearances! ....Maintenance Tips
* It is recommended that you wax the box periodically with bees wax. Do not
apply wax directly to the box. Wax will build up in between the moving parts and
dry causing the pieces to hang and stick. Instead, apply the wax lightly to a
100% soft cotton cloth and rub into wood. Finish buffing using another clean soft
cotton cloth. Be careful not to get wax down in between moving parts. Spray
waxes or furniture oils applied directly to the box can cause operational
problems.
*After playing with your puzzle box it is suggested that you buff the box
well before putting it up. Fingers can smudge and deposit oils to the wood's
finish. Buffing after each use and waxing periodically will certainly prolong
the integrity of the finish.
BACK TO INDEX
6. Are Quagmire Puzzle Boxes safe for children?
*Generally,
puzzle boxes are not recommended for small children. There are small pieces that
could possibly create a choking hazard or otherwise cause injury.
BACK TO INDEX
7. The only place to buy a Quagmire Puzzle Box™!
*There
is only one place to buy Quagmire Puzzle Boxes... Cleverwood
Fine Woodworking!
To find out more about this, check out the Quagmires
Acquisitions
page.
BACK TO INDEX
8. What kind of warranty does Quagmire Puzzle Boxes™ have?
*Since all of Quagmire Puzzle Boxes are sold exclusively by
Cleverwood
Fine Woodworking!, all of Quagmire Puzzle
Boxes come with Cleverwood's outstanding warranty and services. Click the
following link to read more about
Cleverwood's
warranty.
BACK TO INDEX
9. Does Quagmire Puzzle Boxes™ sell at public exhibitions?
*Quagmire Puzzle Boxes does not sell its boxes anywhere except through Cleverwood Fine Woodworking! Since Quagmires has an exclusive with Cleverwood,
there is no need to seek other avenues of
marketing.
BACK TO INDEX
10. What is the IPP all about?
*The
IPP Puzzle
Design Competition was established to promote and
recognize new designs of mechanical puzzles. This is the place to go to
see the latest designs submitted each year from designers and puzzle builders from all
over the world.
BACK TO INDEX
11. What does "Woodborne" mean?
*Woodborne is a term that Randal uses to describe his boxes
when constructed of 100% selected hardwoods. This means that there are no
nails, screws, staples, metal fasteners, plastics, or any other materials that are not
wood. You will NEVER find composite materials such as plywood or veneers
used in any of his box constructions.
BACK TO INDEX
12. Why does Quagmire Puzzle Boxes apply finishes by hand?
* Hand rubbing our lacquer finish forces the finish deep
into the wood. It can be a tricky process and it is certainly more time
consuming than a spray finish and will no doubt last years longer than a sprayed
finish. Spray finishes 'lay' on the surface of the wood and that's where it
stays until the wood's natural coarse of expanding and contracting eventually
'crazes' the finish. The result is simply a finish that has failed. Chances are
you will never find a sprayed finish on any Quagmire Puzzle Box (unless someone
else did it after purchase). Randal uses a special mix that he formulated years
ago while working in the coating's industry. Fact is, hand rubbed finishes
were used long before brush and spray applications were brought about. Those hand
rubbed finishes can still be found in beautifully preserved condition to this
day
whereas a spray coating would never have survived that long. Hand rubbed finishes
are time tested and the very best application!
BACK TO INDEX
13. A few things to know about wood.
*Wood gets darker with age and some species will even change color
with age. Keeping wood out of the sunlight will help retard this effect.
*Wood expands and contracts when heated and cooled and when subjected to higher
moisture or drier conditions than what the wood is acclimatized to. Keeping wooden
puzzle boxes in a stable atmosphere and periodically waxing will help
excessively to extend longevity.
*Wood can swell in times when humidity is up causing some pieces of your puzzle
box to be difficult, if not impossible, to move. Making attempts to force 'dry'
the wood will cause damage to your puzzle box. It can dry the wood too
fast which could cause the wood to crack or warp. Glued joints can become
loosened. And heat can also degrade the integrity of the finish. Placing your puzzle box in an area with a controlled environment where
the wood can 'dry' naturally and slowly is the best solution. This will
require some patience because it can take weeks for the wood to completely
acclimatize. Even though this is not a likely occurrence, it is good to know
what to do if it does happen.
BACK TO INDEX
14. What makes Quagmire Puzzle Boxes Original?
*This is simple. Quagmire Puzzle Boxes are not copies of any
other puzzle box ever made. All of the designs are manifested from the
quagmire of Randal Gatewood's brain. It doesn't get any more original than that!
BACK TO INDEX
15. Will all of the boxes look exactly like the one pictured?
*Not only is this impossible, but it would completely take
away from the originality of each box. This is the great thing about wood - it
is unique. Wood color, and grain characteristics can range quite a bit in a single
batch of wood and sometimes even in a single board.
Wood species such as Mahogany can range from deep red tones to a light blonde
color. Here is an example of this variation. (EXAMPLE)
.This picture is a composite of 10 different Mahogany pictures that I clipped
from various wood suppliers on the web.
*Quagmire Puzzle Boxes are not stained. They are finished to
show the natural grain. However, every effort is made to try to match
pieces up on a per box basis.
*The other thing that should be noted here is that
pictures are affected by their prominent surroundings, lighting, the angle of
the wood's grain to the camera, etc.. There are too many things involved with
color perception. The color as you see it can also be
altered by the monitor on which they are viewed. These conditions are simply
uncontrollable variables.
BACK TO INDEX
16. All this box care talk got you a little perplexed?
*All of this information of "Do's and Don'ts" is simply here
to help you take care of
your puzzle box in the best manner possible. Fact is, if you keep the box inside a climate
controlled environment such as your home, you should not have any problems. Just
keep these tips in mind and you'll be playing with and displaying your Quagmire
Puzzle Box for many decades to come.
BACK TO INDEX
17. Keeping stuff in your puzzle box?
It is fine to keep stuff in a Quagmire Puzzle Box. While most items such as paper money or documents is no problem, things such as coins or small jewelry can possible get into a movement. It is strongly advised to place any such items in a zip lock bag to prevent any possible problems. Be sure that anything you place into any of these boxes does not prevent movement of parts or that it cannot bind with internal parts which could cause damage to the box.
BACK TO INDEX
18. Do you like our Quagmire Puzzle Boxes logos?
*See our collection of Trade Marks -
HERE!
BACK TO INDEX
|
|
 |
|
SELECTIONS 
