Synopsis: Craig Thibodeau exhibits how rare-earth magnets can be utilized to create easy but intriguing secret locks and actions in puzzle furnishings. Three such mechanisms are offered—one drawer that hides one other, a detachable magnetic pull that unlocks a drawer, and one drawer that unlocks one other—all demonstrated with easy cupboard bins. The strategies rely primarily on correct drilling, cautious alignment of magnetic polarity, primary veneering to hide magnets, and elective visible clues like inlay or ornamental marks to information the person.
In my puzzle furnishings, I usually use rare-earth magnets to create secret locking mechanisms and different mechanical actions. Given the extent of intrigue and delight these units add, you could be shocked to see how simple a few of them are to execute.
Whether or not you’re eager about making a secret drawer to cover valuables or a puzzling lock that provides a component of caprice to your work, I feel you’ll benefit from the three choices offered right here. Creating these locking mechanisms principally includes drilling correct holes, and the magnets are available from quite a few on-line sources. (I like to recommend the high-quality magnets offered at kjmagnetics.com.)
Trick 1 – One drawer pulls out one otherOn this instance, the principle drawer hides a shallow, secret drawer that shares the identical pocket. If you pull out the principle drawer, reverse it, and push it again into the case, its magnetized pulls drag out the key drawer.
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The three approaches might be deployed in a wide range of methods. I constructed easy cupboard bins and drawers for this text to show the essential how-to. However I’ve additionally included drawings that present the way to adapt one of many units to different case constructions. The identical trick additionally works in doorways.
As we discovered in elementary faculty, magnets have poles, one constructive and one unfavorable. And when two magnets meet, reverse polarities appeal to one another and matching polarities repel. We’ll be making use of each properties.
Easy veneering—I made the circumstances out of cherry plywood and the drawer bins with stable maple. I veneered the entrance of a lot of the bins with maple to cover among the magnets. You gained’t want vacuum gear to do that veneering, simply conventional clamps and a few items of three/4-in. MDF to behave as cauls and unfold the clamping strain evenly.
Telltale inlay—For the hidden mechanisms on my puzzle furnishings, I prefer to create telltale marks and symbols to information the person. I added a pair to the items proven right here as a suggestion. Or you may go away no hint in any respect, which can be enjoyable.
| From Superb Woodworking #322
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