How to Make a Mind Teaser

A brain teaser is a puzzle or game where you are presented with a task that seems difficult to do but that is easy to do once you know the "secret." Simple brain teasers can cost several dollars but can be made for considerably less money by a resourceful individual (with the right equipment).

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 10-penny nails
• Cardboard
• Vice
• Bolt cutter
• Rotary tool
• Grinding disk
• Two pairs of needle-nosed pliers
• Duct tape

1. Wrap a nail in cardboard to protect the finish. Put the cardboard-covered part of the nail in the vice with the head sticking out 1/2 inch.

2. Grasp the nail in the bolt cutter as close to the head as possible. Squeeze the handles of the bolt cutter together to cut off the head of the bolt. Discard the head.

3. With the nail in the vice, expose each end of the nail and grind it down with the grinding disk to remove any burrs and sharp edges. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 with the other nail.

4. Put duct tape around the jaws of the pliers (on both pairs) to protect the finish on the nails.

5. Grip a nail firmly in the pliers and twist the pliers so that the nail makes a loop and crosses itself at a 90-degree angle. Leave a gap, half the width of the nail, between the two parts of the nail that cross. Twist the other nail so that it does the same thing, but twist it in the opposite direction.

6. Put the puzzle together. Find the two "arms" of each nail (not the loop). Put the gap between the arms on one nail against the gap at the same location of the other. Twist the nails so that the arms fit more closely and the gaps begin to merge.

7. Keep twisting the same direction, pressing the nails together until the two loops merge. To separate the two loops, repeat the process going in reverse.

Tips & Warnings

• Other shapes may be used (see Resources).
• Wear goggles when you do this project. Read and follow all instructions that come with your tools. Cover the nail head (when cutting it) with a rag to prevent the head from flying off and hitting/breaking something. Wear a mask as well as the other equipment when grinding the nail. Clean up your area after working on it with a brush and dust pan to prevent injury. Keep a fire extinguisher handy just in case and do this in a garage/workshop (and away from from flammable materials).

References

• Brain Teasers

Resources

• Horse Shoe Brain Teaser
• Loop Moving Red To Blue Teaser

[johnrapp]

on 10/20/2009 This is an awesome idea!

[natlog]

on 10/17/2009 Needs photos! Especially steps 5 to 7.