Revolver Puzzle

This project was inspired by The “Revolver” by muzz64, which shows the design for a cryptex-like puzzle that involves revolving and sliding the pieces to make a desired pattern. Seeing the uniqueness of the puzzle and the many ways of solving it, I was inspired to make my own version of the puzzle.

Since I would need multiple colors I knew I would need to use a 3-D printer. Fortunately, my school has 3-D printers available for student use.

As there were no dimensions or specifics for the parts, all the dimensions used were my own. All the basic design features such as the Revolvers, Retainers, and Sliders were all directly inspired by the original model.

I added some of my own features and design choices such as the extruded symbols and the number of sliders per revolver (the original had 6 sliders per revolver, I used 5 sliders per revolver). I also modified the Retainer designs by making the pieces only have a thread rather than a thread and an additional extrusion.

• Onshape Modeling and Files
• Prusa i3 MK3
• PLA Filament (Will need at least 6 colors if you are making the sliders different colors)

I made some additional modifications to the original Revolver design after many test prints.

• The original model had the symbols cut into the slider. After some test prints, I discovered this method was very hard to grip the sliders making it difficult to move the sliders from one revolver to the other. To solve this and preserve the symbols, I extruded them to give the user something to grip and help move the sliders.
• I modified the Male retainer to only have a thread rather than the original model’s inner flange and a thread. This simplified the connection between the retainers.
• I filleted the edges of the revolvers and sliders so that the sharp edges don’t cause any additional resistance to the parts’ motion.
• To ensure that the parts could achieve the proper motion, I gave ~0.01-0.02 inches of space so that the parts fit into each other with enough spacing to make easy motion possible.
• To ensure that all the revolvers would fit into the puzzle, I made the female retainer slightly longer than necessary, making it 2.55 inches. If a tighter fit is desired, you can modify the length as appropriate.

If you want to modify any dimensions or features, the Onshape document is public so all you have to do is make a copy in order to change any features: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/9b251acf9f38c25aade1179b/w/7b8f2569d4ceeb41dac68dbc/e/fd42dc9a13fbd9af802454cd

I printed my parts on a Prusa i3 MK3 using PLA filament but they can be printed on any 3-D printer. For all the Sliders, Revolvers, and the Female Retainer, I used 20% infill. I printed the Male Revolver at a higher infill - 30% infill - to ensure that the thread does not snap if you tighten the top too hard.

1. Printing order and arrangement: Print Female Retainer with circular base as the bottom. (20% infill)
2. Print the Male Retainer with the circular base as the bottom (30% infill) *I recommend printing the Male and Female Retainers in the same color.
3. Print the 5 Revolvers (20% infill). I made mine the same color as the Retainers but this is not a requirement.
4. Print the 5 sets of Sliders. I printed my slider sets by printing a group of sliders all in one color, each with a unique symbol. Complete this until you have all 5 sets printed. You will need 5 colors, one for each set. I recommend printing the sliders on the flat base without the protruding symbol as seen in the picture above. (20% infill)

The first step to assembling the puzzle is to set up the revolvers and sliders. For each revolver, insert 5 sliders into the slots. *I recommend you insert the sliders at random so that the puzzle is randomized and is ready to be solved.

After arranging all your sliders and revolvers, attach them onto the Female Retainer by inserting the inner part of the revolver through the cylindrical part of the Female Retainer. Do this for all revolvers and sliders. After you insert all revolvers and sliders, remove one slider from the top revolver so that there is an open space. (See image above for clarification.)

Finally, attach the Male Retainer to the rest of the puzzle by screwing the Male Retainer into the threaded hole of the Female Retainer. All revolvers and sliders should be locked inside the puzzle (besides the one you chose to leave out). You have now finished the assembly and are ready to start solving.

Similar to a rubik's cube, this puzzle is solved by making a desired pattern. There are several ways to solve this puzzle through matching colors or shapes and by Row or Column. There is no one way to solve this puzzle and there are multiple possible solves even within each category you choose to focus on. Once you have achieved the desired pattern, you have solved the puzzle.

The basics to solving this puzzle are similar to that of a sliding puzzle in which allow you to replace one piece with another to get the correct orientation. For this puzzle, you can move the sliders from one revolver to another. With this technique, you can rearrange the pieces to create a desired pattern.

Along with sliding motion, you can also rotate the revolvers which allow for more flexibility in selecting which slider you want to move.

Solving by Row: This method of solving focuses on the rows of the puzzle. These are defined as the axis along a revolver; all the sliders that are along a revolver are in the same row. Using this method, you can create patterns such as having all the same color in a row, all the same shape in a row, or some variant.

Solving by Column: This method of solving focuses on the columns of the puzzle. These are defined as a line across multiple revolvers. Using this method, you can create patterns such as having all the same color in a column, all the same shape in a column, or some variant.

Making your own solve: This puzzle also allows for you to create your own solution. As long as you have determined a pattern you want to create, you can solve the puzzle.

Once you have solved the puzzle, you should reset the puzzle for continued use.

To reset the puzzle:

1. Unscrew the Male Retainer from the Female Retainer and remove the Male Retainer
2. Remove all revolvers and sliders
3. Reinsert sliders into revolver slots in a random order. *Remember to leave one slot open for sliding motion
4. Reinsert sliders and revolvers onto the Female Retainer like you did in the original assembly
5. Screw on Male Retainer and you are ready to solve again

Since you have the ability to copy the Onshape document, you can edit the design to add any feature you want. Some possible modifications you may want to consider are making your own symbols (I made a circle symbol but did not end up using it). You could make the symbols letters instead of shapes, possibly adding another layer to the puzzle in which you have to spell certain words. Another possible modification is to change the length of the Female Retainer to allow for more or less revolvers and sliders which can make the puzzle harder or easier.